Times have clearly changed.

NBA great Michael Jordan gave his take on LeBron James’ “Decision” to play for the Miami Heat along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, saying that kind of move was something that simply wouldn’t have happened during his 80s and 90s heyday.

“There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry (Bird), called up Magic (Johnson) and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team,'” Jordan told NBC Sports on Sunday. “But that’s…things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”

Jordan, who is James’ idol, spent 15 years in the NBA, 13 for the Chicago Bulls and two for the Washington Wizards after three years off.

James, meanwhile, bolted from the Cleveland Cavaliers after seven seasons to join fellow All-Stars on a “dream team” of sorts in Miami. The move has backfired in terms of popular opinion outside that city. 

James has faced several waves of criticism, levelled by everyone from Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert to another former NBA legend Charles Barkley, and now Jordan.

“Mike and I are in 100 percent agreement on this,” Barkley told the Arizona Republic last week. “If you’re the two-time defending NBA MVP, you don’t leave anywhere. They come to you. That’s ridiculous. I like LeBron. He’s a great player.

“But I don’t think in the history of sports you can find a two-time defending MVP leaving to go play with other people.