Michael Jordan Era Was “Watered Down” – Do Fans Agree With JJ Redick and NBA Veteran’s Claim?

The 90s vs the modern-day NBA scenario will be a never-ending debate. And JJ Redick’s recent claims of the NBA being watered down during Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan‘s prime have reignited the sparks of this debate. While a certain section of the basketball community has strongly disagreed with Redicks’ claims, some find some sense in this. And ex-NBA star Chandler Parsons is among the latter.

“I understand what he’s (JJ Redick) saying… You could talk about how physical it was, how the game was different, how tough those guys were, how the style of play was different. At the end of the day, the talent is way better now. Everybody is better. Everybody is stronger, everybody is faster,” Parsons said, appearing on ‘Run It Back’.

Notably, Redick stated on The Big Podcast that there 6 teams added when Michael Jordan was at his peak. “There were 90 players added to the NBA. Does that not water down?… You’re not telling me that the league for a little bit is gonna be watered down?” he said on the podcast. And Parsons has also agreed that with the addition of these teams, the overall talent of the league was not what it is now.

However, the ex-NBA star believes what the players before them did has to be respected. But better resources and facilities at present make the comparison unfair in favor of modern-day players, he claims. However, the reply section of the post by ‘Run It Back’ seems to be in strong disagreement with both Redick and Parsons. In fact, there is hardly any support to be found for Redick’s claim and Parson’s backing of the claims.

How have fans reacted to Reick’s claim against Michael Jordan?

There is no denying that Michael Jordan’s legacy has sort of been impeccable. With his 6 NBA championships, 6-0 NBA finals record, 6 NBA Finals MVP awards, and 5 regular season MVP awards, there are only a few players who even come close. And as far as Redick’s 6-team addition remark goes, 4 of these 6 teams were added during 1988-89. And this was the time Michael Jordan was busy overcoming the physically dominant team of Detroit Pistons who won the championship during this phase. So Redick’s claims do not hold any value in terms of Jordan’s championship wins. This is also reflected in the way fans have reacted to this.

One of the X users, Hawk Mark, has pointed out how the defense was stronger back in the 90s as compared to the present-day scenario. He believes the modern-day NBA stars hardly have to play against any defense.

Meanwhile, another X user countered Chandler Parsons’ claim of modern-day players being bigger, stronger, and faster. And to further his argument in the support of the 90s, he used Michael Jordan himself and Clyde Drexler.

Countering Redick and Parson’s claims completely is X user, Matthew McCarthy. He believes it is, in fact, the modern-day basketball scenario that has been watered down.

The only visible backing in the reply section for Redick and Parsons was from an X user who believes in the supremacy of the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.

Meanwhile, another X user seemed to have a mixed opinion of this. He believes players are now more skilled, but the game IQ is at an all-time low.

What is your take on this entire issue? Let us know your views in the comments.