Gil sounds off James’ play at his age being overlooked in comparison to Jordan’s.
In the NBA, players who manage to extend their careers into their late 30s and early 40s typically receive widespread appreciation for their longevity. However, LeBron James seems to be the exception to this rule.
Despite remaining one of the best players in the Association, the 20-time All-Star faces constant criticism for not matching his peak performances. Gilbert Arenas recently highlighted the double standards by comparing Bron’s treatment to the more favorable reception Michael Jordan received during his last stretch with the Washington Wizards.
Arenas highlights the difference in notion between MJ and Bron
When making GOAT arguments, Jordan advocates often point to his perfect NBA Finals record and superior championship count. For them, seeing “His Airness” average 20 points per game at the age of 40 serves as a cherry on top.
Yet, as Arenas noted, these same observers conveniently overlook that MJ’s Wizards missed the playoffs in both of his playing years—a detail that is a factor in determining his legacy.
The contrast becomes even more striking when examining LeBron’s current season. In his 22nd year, the four-time MVP is still averaging 23.8 points and 8.8 assists per game—the fifth highest in the league. However, these numbers are neglected because the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling to cement their place among the top six squads in the West.
On his show, “Agent Zero” questioned why fans and media can’t simply appreciate James’ late career excellence the way they did with Jordan’s Gil also highlighted the unnecessary scrutiny the Akron native faces with “Father Time” slowly catching him.
“We have seen MJ, when he was with the Wizards, and he was putting up 20 (points per game). That was impressive,” Arenas said.
“He not looking like LeBron, but I’m talking about, ‘It was impressive then too.’ The best 40-year-old that played was LeBron, the second-best was Michael Jordan. They didn’t expect anything from MJ, they was just so happy to see a 40-year-old go out there and average 20. Why is they putting so much effort on trying to tear LeBron down for just playing at 40, like we’re pretending (20 years old)?” he added.
LeBron deserves less scrutiny
For a player who has spent over two decades in the league under immense pressure to prove his merit, James is still thriving as the No. 2 option on a storied franchise like the Lakers. Moreover, Bron has also shown how he can single-handedly lead his team to wins by taking over in the fourth quarter. Yet, no media personnel leaves a chance to force LBJ into retirement after each of his rough patches.
Perhaps it is time to celebrate James’ unquestioned longevity, as there is a high chance that a feat like this will never be seen again in the NBA.