Gilbert Arenas Says People Only Bring Up Michael Jordan ‘When LeBron James’ Name Gets Mentioned’

Former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas recently said people only bring up Michael Jordan when “LeBron James‘ name gets mentioned.”

The GOAT debate between Jordan and LeBron is one of the most discussed topics in sports. 

Arenas has picked LeBron as his GOAT over Jordan. 

“They will never bring up Michael Jordan because he’s not real today,” Arenas said on his podcast. “He’s real like we know who he is, but the only people who bring him up is when LeBron James’ name gets mentioned. That’s the only reason Michael Jordan’s relevant.”

Jordan has career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. He won five MVPs, six championships, six Finals MVPs and 10 scoring titles. 

Meanwhile, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.

Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game, fourth in steals, fifth in field goals and second in player efficiency rating. He holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a playoff game. 

Behind Jordan and Scottie Pippen, the Bulls went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice in the ’90s. Jordan is one of three players to win MVP and DPOY in the same season. Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the other two. 

LeBron, who grew up idolizing Jordan, is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, eighth in steals, second in field goals, eighth in 3-point field goals, fifth in triple-doubles, seventh in points per game and third in player efficiency rating.

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists and the only player to score 40,000 points. 

With the Cavaliers and Heat, LeBron never lost to the Bulls in the playoffs.