Even if MJ replayed his exact career in modern NBA, current media would criticize him

Let’s say starting in 2027, there was a MJ version 2 with a different name whose career imitated original MJ’s exactly. Of course, the media would not know that fact.

The media would see the talent MJ v2 has but would use it against him for all his early playoff failures, and would say “He’s no Michael Jordan. Mike went 6 for 6 in NBA Finals, he never struggled in the playoffs and overcame adversity”

MJ v2 would lose to Detroit 3 times in a row and the media would say “he should never be brought up in GOAT debates, I don’t wanna hear it”.

Even after the three championships MJ v2 wins in a row, they would say “MJ v2 only has 3 championships. Mike did it twice. 6 is greater than 3”.

Then MJ v2 would be killed by the media for early retirement, trying a different sport and they would question his love for the game, all sorts of conspiracies and headlines speculating on why he chose to retire.

You get the point. It’s the current 24/7 social media cycle, negative talking points attracting more clicks and views, and nostalgia making the players of old untouchable that’s ruining NBA discourse of today.

If Mike played today, he wouldn’t be “Michael Jordan” as we love him today.

He would be under scrutiny his whole career, criticized more than ever, and would never reach the iconic heights he hit in the 90’s.

Structurally, it’s no longer possible even with the exact same results and accolades