Michael Jordan and the 90s NBA era are once again under the microscope. Former Duke guard JJ Redick brought up the NBA team expansion that took place in the 90s as the reason to explain MJ’s dominant era. He claimed that Jordan played in a “watered down” NBA era. While Redick’s comment has brought a new viewpoint, another former NBA player Bonzi Wells has shared his stance on why he doesn’t believe in Redick’s claims.

In The Sheed and Tyler Show podcast, Wells and Rasheed Wallace discussed Redick’s opinion. While Wells agreed with the idea of NBA team expansion, he believes that basketball legends like Jordan and Kobe Bryant built their legacies solely on their own skills. He further added how the two didn’t have physical advantages such as LeBron James and were still able to dominate.

“That man right there [jordan] was exceptional like better than everybody… he had no physical advantages it was skill, bron is 6’9” 250 he’s a freight train coming down there.” He further added, “Them two [kobe and jordan] didn’t have any physical advantages man, them dudes had skill sets.”

Here is the X post shared by the user, ‘Jacobtheclipper’ stating that Wells may have exposed Redicks’ intention to diminish Jordan’s greatness with this statement. Both Wells and Redick’s comments have inspired another Jordan vs. James debate on social media. Netizens have also mentioned the age factor of how James can average 30 points at the age of 38 while the same wasn’t with the Chicago Bulls legend who retired at 30. 

When was the last NBA team expansion?

MJ entered the league at a time when it had just 23 teams. Thus, speaking of the additions to the league from 1988 to 1995, Redick said in the latest episode of The Big Shaq Podcast, “A lot of times, we’re comparing eras. I’ll say this with Michael Jordan, and I don’t mean this to be controversial. During his heyday, six teams were added to the NBA. There were 90 players added to the NBA. Does that not water it down? 

The NBA hasn’t seen expansion since 2004 when the Charlotte Bobcats, now known as the Charlotte Hornets, joined the league. There have been no additions in the last two decades. However, the league might be heading for another expansion. One of the two cities under consideration is Las Vegas. Following the NHL and WNBA, Las Vegas might secure an NBA franchise. 

Both Shaquille O’Neal and James have expressed interest in ownership stakes of the team. As per sources, once the NBA completes negotiations of their media rights deal, the league will explore expansion. Is Redick right about the lack of competitiveness occurring due to the addition of teams? How things turn out for the league remains to be seen. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.