“Before injuries, I’m like MJ — I’m coming for you.” That’s what Dwyane Wade boldly said during his appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast. And as soon as that clip went viral, NBA fans everywhere lit up social media debating, Was D-Wade really on pace to catch Michael Jordan? While it’s a hot take, Wade’s early dominance, explosive 2006 Finals, and MVP-worthy 2008–09 campaign gave the conversation some weight.
Wade never lacked the confidence or the talent to go toe-to-toe with the league’s greatest. But a recent conversation on the 520 Morning Show pulled the curtain back in a way many fans weren’t ready for. Wade is undeniably one of the best shooting guards to ever lace up. Drafted fifth overall in 2003, he brought Miami a championship in just his third season. His 2008–09 stat line, 30.2 points, 7.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds, was Jordan-esque. In fact, had injuries not crept in, Wade believes he was on the fast track to GOAT territory. But then came the knee troubles. The dislocated shoulder, cortisone, and the sacrifice of being second fiddle to LeBron.
With three rings and a Hall of Fame legacy, Wade always felt overlooked, especially in conversations about all-time greatness. That’s why his “MJ claim” wasn’t as much a flex as it was a statement of frustration. Teague stepped in and broke it down with blunt clarity; he wasn’t trying to diminish anyone’s career, including Dwyane Wade’s. But made it clear that a young Michael Jordan was in a league of his own.
His point was simple: when you go back and watch early footage of Jordan, when he still had hair and was in peak physical form, no one…not Wade or even Kobe, looked like that. “Jordan looked like the most athletic player ever,” Teague emphasized.
Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade speaks to the media after his ceremony for his jersey retirement at halftime as the Heat host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Jordan’s combination of athleticism, skill, and sheer dominance made him look unreal, almost like a video game character. His movements, elevation, and the way he controlled the game were unmatched. This wasn’t just nostalgia talking; Teague was urging people to go back and see it with their own eyes. Because Jordan, in his early years, played with a level of explosiveness and finesse that simply hadn’t been replicated. While Wade’s desire to be recognized is understandable. But comparing him to that version of Jordan, especially the 85-’86 version, is where Teague believes Wade went wrong.
From there, the show took a deeper dive into just how different Jordan was at his peak. Especially the 1986 version that averaged 37.1 points per game, without shooting threes.
Why Dwyane Wade Made That Bold Jordan Claim?
Wade didn’t drop the MJ line out of nowhere. As another host explained on the 520 Morning Show, “Yeah. He tired of being disrespected, bro.” This wasn’t about ego. It was about erasure. Wade sees his name slipping down all-time rankings, often overlooked behind flashier scorers, or reduced to LeBron’s sidekick. His frustration is valid, and his MJ reference was as much about reminding fans of his early dominance as it was about chasing goats.
Jeff Teague continued the deep dive, touching on how fans often forget what a young MJ looked like, “I had to go back and look. I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ve never seen nothing like this, bro. Crazy. He look crazy, bro. He ain’t look real.’” Even Dwyane Wade’s most common comparison, Kobe Bryant, didn’t measure up to Michael Jordan in terms of athleticism, at least according to DJ and Jeff Teague on the 520 Morning Show.
DJ pointed out that while Kobe was undoubtedly a great athlete, yet he still wasn’t on Jordan’s level. Teague agreed without hesitation, adding that “nobody” matched Jordan’s athleticism. In his words, Jordan looked like the most athletic player ever. Their point was simple: Jordan’s combination of speed, agility, leaping ability, and body control was simply unprecedented. While Kobe mirrored Jordan’s footwork, mindset, and competitive fire, physically, Jordan played the game with a level of explosiveness and fluidity that set him apart. Even from someone as elite as Kobe Bryant.
However Wade may not be Jordan. But Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest to ever touch a basketball. Three NBA titles. Finals MVP. 13x All-Star. A career average of 22 points across 17 seasons. The undisputed face of Heat basketball. A statue outside the arena. His place in NBA lore is cemented. But as Teague so perfectly captured, comparing anyone to ’86 MJ is asking for trouble.
Wade’s MJ comment wasn’t wild. It was emotional. A reminder that before the injuries, before the Heatles, and before the “role player” years, D-Wade was on a warpath. But when the conversation shifts to prime Michael Jordan, even legends get a dose of reality.
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