With players like LeBron James and Michael Jordan, the NBA GOAT debate has never really died down. Though some loyal fans continue to pick sides, plenty remain undecided as James’ career nears a close.
Often, regardless of a fan’s pick, many admit that there’s no denying the impact players like James and Jordan have left — effectively changing the course of the league when they retire. A former All-Star, however, had an interesting take on the matter.
Former All-Star Drops Interesting Take on LeBron James-Michael Jordan GOAT Debate
With over two decades of play and still contesting, James’ longevity is a testament to his high level of play. The Akron native has never dipped below the 20-point per game average, backing his stats with four title wins and 21 All-Star honors.
Jordan, on his end, has six titles under his belt with 14 All-Star entries in 15 seasons.
And while many view their journeys as two distinct eras in NBA history, three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas believes Jordan remains relevant only because of James.
Admitting that it might be a hot take, Arenas spoke on his own show as he said, “If you look at the past, just like any great, your name becomes irrelevant…. MJ’s name is still really big in the community….. The basketball community still holds MJ here because of LeBron James.”
According to Arenas, when James retires, Jordan’s name will “fade a little bit”.
“MJ is at the top. When you’re at the top, nobody looks at you anymore. If you’re watching LeBron James climb to the top, the only way Jordan fans get activated is because somebody got close enough. Every time LeBron did something, the MJ voice became louder,” Arenas explained.
Arenas added that anything James did for the past eight years circled back to Jordan, especially since he was fighting for the GOAT spot. And since he keeps trying, Jordan remains relevant even today.
“Nobody reports nothing about MJ’s life… When LeBron is gone MJ name will fall a little bit too until someone starts touching that throne again,” Arenas concluded.
Fans remained upset over Arenas’ out-take, declaring that James is the one who needs Jordan to stay relevant, and not the other way around. Many noted that people bring up Jordan’s excellence whenever James is mentioned, and some even compared their title runs.
While Jordan won his six titles as two separate three-peats, James’ only back-to-back wins are his 2012 and 2013 titles with the Miami Heat.
Having said that, James is currently playing his historic 23rd season, carving his own legacy while chasing an elusive fifth title. Jordan played for 15 years, retiring twice in the process.
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Furthermore, Jordan played for only two teams in his career — the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards. James is currently on his third team (the Lakers) following successful stints with the Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
One can also argue that the game played now is vastly different from when Jordan was active. This renders their playing styles and championships incomparable, making it harder to gauge who is the better player.
Of course, despite Arenas’ comments, both Jordan and James will remain relevant in the GOAT race, alongside other legends like Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Larry Bird.
