Michael Jordan wants to end Michael Jordan: “The narrative has become toxic”

Michael Jordan left a towering legacy in the NBA. His countless achievements – from scoring records to six championship rings – earned him the title of the greatest player of all time, at least for many years. The debate over who deserves that crown has persisted ever since, often fueled by narratives built around potential heirs like Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady and eventually Kobe Bryant. Today, the conversation has reached a new peak with the enduring figure of LeBron James, who, at 40, just finished sixth in the MVP voting (won by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

Jordan highlights legacy

For some, LeBron’s longevity, durability and sustained success are reason enough to place him above His Airness. For others, Jordan remains untouchable – any attempt to challenge that belief is considered heresy. But according to a powerful article by Elliot Barnes on Medium, Jordan himself may no longer agree with that second group.

The former player is said to have personally called NBC to ask to join their team of commentators – not to bask in nostalgia, but to reenter the public conversation and dismantle the mythologizing that’s hardened around him. His goal, it seems, is to underscore the greatness of today’s basketball and call for a forward-looking perspective, not one that clings to the past. “We need to stop disrespecting the current players and the modern style,” the article quotes him as suggesting. “My legacy is what it is – but other athletes have theirs too.”

Jordan fans failing to evolve

It’s a surprising move from a man who has never shied away from public debates or asserting his place in history. But according to the piece, he believes blind devotion to his legacy may now be doing more harm than good.

“He didn’t just want a paycheck or a couple of cameos. He wanted to be involved. He had a vision. And it had nothing to do with nostalgia,” said one NBC producer, who described the newsroom’s shock when they got the call from Jordan himself. An anonymous contributor added: “Mike thinks basketball has evolved – but his fans haven’t. And he sees that as a real problem.”

The article highlights Jordan’s discomfort with the deification that glosses over his failures and sidelines the team efforts that helped him succeed. Most damaging of all, he believes, is how this idealized image is now being used to tear down the present era of basketball, simply because it looks different.

“It’s warped... delusional”

Rather than lean into the “everything was better in the ’90s” sentiment, Jordan appears keen to push a broader message: to let the game grow. To champion players like Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic – even James Harden – without constantly comparing them to a past that no longer exists. “The fanbase has gotten warped,” said another anonymous source. “They hate the modern game but watch every second of it. They say it’s not physical enough but ignore how advanced the players have become. And they use Jordan as a weapon in every conversation. It’s delusional.”

That constant comparison with the King, LeBron James, comes up in the piece too. “Mike laughs at half that stuff,” one source said. “He knows what it takes to play for 20 years. He respects LeBron – way more than most people think.” A retired coach and close confidant added: “The GOAT debate is toxic because it’s not a debate. It’s a cult. And Mike’s tired of being the golden calf.”

What Jordan reportedly wants, more than anything, is for his fans to actually hear what he has to say – and stop endlessly parroting the same arguments that diminish today’s game. Basketball in his day may have been different – more defensive, perhaps – but not necessarily better or worse. Just different.

What role he ends up taking at NBC remains to be seen. Will he interview players, commentate on games, or take a broader role behind the scenes? One thing’s certain – this isn’t about money. Jordan has built a financial empire and doesn’t need a network job to boost his profile. And those hoping for another dose of ’90s nostalgia will likely be disappointed.

He’s not here to relive the past – he’s here to remind us that the present matters too. The Last Dance documentary cemented the myth. Now, it’s time to open new chapters, with less toxicity and more truth. Above all, Jordan wants the game to move forward. And on that point, he’s made himself crystal clear.

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