Gilbert Arenas on GOAT debate: ‘The only people who bring Michael Jordan up is when LeBron James’ name gets mentioned’

Gilbert Arenas: “They didn’t have crossover like that. They didn’t have behind-the-back moves, spins—none of that. The offense was different then. When people talk about hand-checking, that was so overrated. Why? Because who went downhill? The point guards would go to the side, wait for your big man to set up. Two guards would set a screen on the big man, so you had to sit there idle while they held you. Held your whole side. Then they could push you over because the point guard wasn’t trying to score 20 or 30.” -via YouTube / August 28, 2024

Gilbert Arenas: “All Jordan’s competition in that era did not even have the physical tools to keep up with him, so he was basically a Bugatti, and everybody else was a Honda Civic. Most shooting guards were 6’4″ and under; they didn’t have any jumping ability. So, who he went against, he’s saying they weren’t talented, meaning they weren’t athletic enough to keep up with him. Today, everybody—me, I’ve got a 40-something inch vertical. Everybody I’m going against has a 40-inch vertical that can jump with me.” -via YouTube / August 28, 2024

Gilbert Arenas: “If we really want to have this discussion about Jordan’s competition, just look at the top five shooting guards in history. He didn’t play against any of them in their prime. Kobe’s number two, but he had a young Kobe in ’98. Then you have Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, James Harden, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter—Jordan didn’t face these guys. History is showing you who’s who now because time has gone by.” -via YouTube / August 28, 2024

What makes James so great in these situations is that he is never predictable, given that there are so many ways in which he can hurt a defense. He also never tries to play hero ball, passing up a great shot for a teammate in order to get a more difficult shot for himself. For the Lakers star, it’s the ability to almost manipulate time to his benefit that makes him so calm and collected in those situations. He discussed that concept on the latest episode of The Shop: “What’s going on in my head? Like you said it’s in slow motion, I slow it down as well. It’s just about trying to be patient, not try to be over-exertive or try to pre-determine what I’m going to do. It’s just kind of read and react. Even with the clock going 9, 8, 7, 6. If you look at a stopwatch, those seconds are ticking, like they’re going fast. But for some odd reason on the basketball court for myself, when the time looks like it’s going fast it’s actually slowing down for me. So I’m able to just slow it down and be able to see what’s going on on the floor. Will that always result in a make? No, I wish. I wish it would go in every single time, but I try to put myself in position that I make the right play or come home for the team every single time. That just comes with experience, the best teacher in life is experience and the more and more you get put in those opportunities and those moments, the better off you’ll be.” -via Lakers Nation / September 2, 2024

While it’s clear Smith is in favor of the Lakers selecting Bronny, he makes another bold prediction — he believes that LeBron James will end his career in Los Angeles. The 39-year-old James re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million deal with a player option and no-trade clause. “I think he ends his career as a Laker — that’s just my personal opinion,” says Smith with no hesitation. “I haven’t spoken to him, or anyone with that influence.” -via Responsible Gaming / September 1, 2024

Adam Schefter: 49ers first-round pick Ricky Pearsall was shot today in San Francisco, as @DionLimTV reported. THEY LIED: i really just wanna stay at home 🤦🏽‍ LeBron James: Facts bro!! Home, work and back home! Prayers to Ricky Pearshall! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 -via Twitter @KingJames / September 1, 2024

ClutchPoints: “I think Kobe [Bryant is] better than [Michael Jordan] skill-wise. He took everything Jordan did and multiplied it. He did it better.” Do you agree with Dwight Howard? 🤔 (via @GilsArenaShow ) -via Twitter / August 31, 2024

Avery Johnson: “You know, we can really peel back all of the numbers. You can even go with the eye test, but everybody else is a distant second behind Michael Jordan. Just a distant second. And there’s no disrespect on it, so please do not send me any hate mail. It’s my opinion, right? Michael, just for all the different reasons. But when you win six championships, you’re the MVP of all six, you never get to a Game 7, and all of the defensive —first team All-Defense, first team All-NBA, MVPs, regular season MVPs—I think there was another stat that you know, he didn’t have as many, it was a revolving door of free agents that he played with, and he did it with one team. And he had to go through the Detroit Pistons, the Boston Celtics, the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, and Clyde Drexler with that Portland team that could have easily won championships, and Karl Malone and Stockton with Utah. The rules were different—there was a lot more restricted freedom of movement and physicality. So yeah, it’s Michael. The clutch shots, two-way player—it’s just Michael. What they did with the Dream Team, yeah, it’s just Michael.” -via YouTube / August 30, 2024