Michael Jordan is returning to the NBA—but not as a player.
After retiring three times and coming back as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, MJ found himself once again missing the best basketball league in the world. Now, he’s set to return in a new role that has prompted warnings directed at LeBron James and the rest of the NBA.

“I’m very excited to see the NBA back on NBC. NBA on NBC was a significant part of my career, and I’m thrilled to be a special contributor to the project. I look forward to seeing everyone when NBA on NBC launches in October,”
said Jordan, confirming that he will be joining the league next season as an analyst and commentator.

Shortly after news broke of Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA as an analyst, LeBron James appeared to take a shot at the older generation by saying:

“The older generation makes you not want to love the game I grew up watching (…) They talk so much trash about today’s game that it makes you go back and rewatch those old games and not even appreciate them the way you did as a kid.”
Was he talking about MJ?

Stephen A. Smith, one of the journalists closest to Jordan, didn’t just break stories like the one where MJ told him directly that Magic Johnson—not Stephen Curry—is the greatest point guard of all time. He also issued a clear warning about MJ’s new role.

The warning for LeBron and the entire NBA about Jordan’s return

LeBron James Michael Jordan

“Let me tell you something about Michael Jordan: he’s going to be brutally honest, I guarantee you. He’s not going to be passive. The Michael Jordan I know, when he talks about basketball, he’s one of the most direct people you’ll ever hear. He’s not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings, he’s not trying to be insulting, but he will tell it like it is. I don’t think he’ll hold back at all—really, I don’t. And I’m proud of him for doing it because, with the Jordan brand and a net worth of over $2 billion, he doesn’t need this,”
said Smith in a direct message to LeBron and every current NBA player.

Jordan himself was also warned about his return

Stephen A. Smith didn’t just warn the players—he had something to say to MJ too.

“I don’t think he’ll be shy about saying what he sees—not at all. In fact, if he does get shy, he’ll have to deal with me, because I’ll be like, ‘You’re going soft! Is that what we’re doing now? That’s not the MJ I know!’”
the ESPN analyst concluded.