Editor's note: As part of "The Stein Line" every Monday, ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein gives his take on things in "Slams and Dunks."

Perhaps you've heard Michael Jordan's biting statements recently about LeBron James. The line about how LeBron is "talented for 18 years old." How MJ downplayed LBJ's dominance in front of ESPN cameras, and everywhere else, because "he's played against high school kids who probably are under 6 feet and have the talent of sportswriters."

	LeBron James earned Michael Jordan's stamp of approval in MJ's pickup games last summer.

Good quips, and we can't really argue with that last one, but don't believe that they really mean much. Jordan is an unabashed LeBron fan who, knowing Jordan, is simply saying this stuff to try (in vain) to keep the kid level-headed. MJ just made similar public critiques of Antoine Walker, another one of his favorites, and don't forget that LeBron was invited to the legend's private Chicago pickup games last summer. One big reason why Darko Milicic and Carmelo Anthony have no shot to displace James from the No. 1 spot in the June draft is how well James played in those games.

As one Western Conference executive told us last month: "As good as Darko is, he hasn't played with NBA players and left them standing speechless like LeBron."

Jordan's true feelings for LeBron were on display again in a Gund Arena hallway Tuesday night after MJ played his last game in Cleveland. Jordan approached the youngster, gave him a hearty hug and then whispered some advice. Jordan then backed off and loudly announced: "I can't be talking to you. I don't want to be tampering." Memo to Mike: It's not tampering until you're a GM again.