Kenny Smith Brought Michael Jordan and Barkley Back Together

Call him the Peacemaker -- because Kenny Smith says HE was the reason Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley finally reunited last month ... years after their famous friendship fell apart.

Remember, Barkley had said publicly that MJ stopped talking to him years ago after he criticized the NBA legend for doing a bad job as the chairman of the Hornets.

But last month -- they came together for a photo (with Kenny Smith) and now Smith is telling us how it all went down.

Bottom line -- it doesn't seem the feud is as bad as it seemed ... but they're not exactly BFFs anymore either.