Michael Jordan’s ‘text buddy’ slams former NBA champ’s take that LeBron James can’t play in 90s
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the best to ever step foot on the NBA court, which is why whenever he shares his opinion, everyone listens. When Kevin Garnett talked about current players not capable of playing in the 90s, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith revealed a text he received from Jordan where he argued that LeBron James would thrive in that era.
Garnett's comments were in response to Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards who said that Michael Jordan is the only player who had skill back then. It was a comment that received a lot of reactions from NBA legends such as Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas.
Smith has received numerous texts from Jordan in the past, such as the time he talked about Magic Johnson being the best point guard. In this instance, the six-time NBA champion wanted to let everyone know that he believes in the physical attributes of James.
"You can't tell me that a LeBron at 6'9" 260 [pounds] couldn't deal with the physicality of the old days because he would've been hurting people ... Steph Curry could've played in the old days because you just don't teach shooting ability like that ... LeBron James? Any era," Smith said.
There have been some comparisons between previous NBA eras and the modern age of the league. Some mentioned the defensive intensity back in Jordan's era and how the physicality has not been the same today. Styles of play have changed over the years with offense being enhanced and spacing being a factor.
However, Michael Jordan argued that LeBron James could utilize his strength and size effectively back then to remain dominant. He even argued that Stephen Curry's tough shotmaking ability would also thrive against opposing defenses back then.
LeBron James argued that not even Michael Jordan could average 50 points in the league
The NBA is viewed as the gold standard in professional basketball leagues considering how talented players are per position. The competitive level remains elite despite how much the league has changed over the years.
During his appearance on the "Road Trippin'" podcast in March, LeBron James argued that the NBA is a league in which a player can't average 50 points per game in any era. No matter how elite an athlete is, even if one was of the same caliber as Jordan, they wouldn't be capable of averaging that many points given how challenging it is to score.
"There's nobody that's going to average 50 in our league," James said. "That's just disrespectful, no matter how great you were in your era and how great you are to play in any era. If that's the case, I believe guys will average 50 in their era, the era they played in."
James reiterated that the NBA is not just any basketball league where one Hall of Famer could come in and put up 50 points on a nightly basis. It is also a testament to how the NBA only houses the best of the best.