The debate over who deserves the title of NBA’s greatest player of all time, involving basketball icons Michael Jordan and LeBron James, took center stage in a recent episode of ‘The Big Weekend Show.’ Co-hosts discussed President Donald Trump’s preference for Jordan over James, exploring different perspectives on the comparison.
NBC, having regained NBA broadcast rights with an 11-year media deal, rekindled nostalgia among long-time basketball fans. The return of the iconic theme song from its 1990-2002 broadcasts marked NBC’s comeback. This deal included collaborations with Disney-owned ESPN and Amazon Prime Video, signifying the NBA’s shift away from previous partner TNT. Ahead of its 2025-26 coverage, NBC announced Michael Jordan, a former Chicago Bulls star and six-time NBA champion, as a “special contributor.”
Some anticipated that Jordan would be a frequent presence in studio discussions. Instead, his involvement was limited to a single interview with Mike Tirico split into segments aired throughout the season. While some were disappointed, Mike Tirico defended this approach, saying it validated NBC’s decision since it keeps sparking conversations and interest.
“I love the fact that we did one interview — and you can say what you want about it airing once or being spread out over our series of pregame shows during the year — it’s a year later and people are still talking about it,” Tirico remarked during a New York City interview at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.
The conversation with Jordan avoided NBA headlines and current players, concentrating instead on broader topics like load management and Jordan’s enduring passion for basketball. Tirico expressed contentment with this focus, describing it as offering an authentic view of Jordan’s personality. Despite fans hoping for commentary on players like LeBron James or topics such as the Kawhi Leonard controversy, Jordan’s interview maintained an aura beyond daily NBA buzz.
Tirico hinted at possibly interviewing Jordan again in the future, welcoming his return irrespective of the subject. As the NBA prepares to kick off the 2026-27 season on Oct. 20 with games like Boston Celtics versus Detroit Pistons and defending champions New York Knicks against Philadelphia 76ers, Jordan’s stature remains unaffected by his limited media presence.
The upcoming NBA season promises engaging matchups, including the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, ensuring fans experience renewed excitement in basketball action.