Gilbert Arenas Reveals Why LeBron James Will Never Be Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant in Lengthy Instagram Post

Do you agree with Agent Zero?

Jul 30, 2015
Not Available Lead
Image via Complex Original
Not Available Lead
Image via Complex Original

Did anyone ask Gilbert Arenas for his opinion on LeBron James? Anyone at all?

We didn't think so. But last night, Agent Zero took to Instagram to offer it up anyway. He posted a lengthy scouting report for LeBron and pointed out both his strengths and his weaknesses on the court in an effort to prove why he'll probably never be considered as great as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant. Some of his critiques included:

  • "His first 2 steps aren't very powerful so this hurt him on isos and the ability to blow pass (sic) players from standstill position.
  • "James isn't a #1 option…he lacks #selfishness so he will always need a go to guy like wade or kyrie."
  • "He lacks what jordan and kobe were…great 1 on 1 players."

But before you say, "Heeeeeeere we go, another person bashing LeBron's abilities," it's important for us to point out that Arenas did give LeBron a ton of credit in his post. In fact, by the end of it, he made a pretty compelling argument for why people should put LeBron in the same category as MJ and Kobe.

Arenas believes that, if LeBron played more selfishly and didn't focus so much on making his teammates better, he would be in the G.O.A.T. discussion. In Arenas' opinion, he would be an even more dominant player than he already is.

"Like u ppl have no idea what he could do if he had (1) season just 1 selfish season like kobe did in 2005-06," Arenas wrote. "he will avg 40+ 11 9 and no one could do shit about it...it's sad the world wont get to see Who I'm talking about becuz his legacy is built on winning."

Arenas also feels that LeBron may end up being the second or third best player in NBA history...without actually tapping into all of his individual potential.

"This man could be the second best 3rd for sure player to ever play when it's all said and done around 2020+," he wrote, "and he didn't even tap into his ability to be GREATEST.."

We're not really sure where this came from or why Arenas picked now of all times to offer up his opinion on LeBron. But he also provided this lengthy IG post on the Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant debate just a few hours before putting the LeBron one up:

 

The Debate...Who's Better?!?! we have to break down the two players..ALL Stats and rules removed....you have a (self made man) #KOBE standing at 6'6 with a 38 inch vert..a work ethic of a Man who seemed #Machinelike...the basketball IQ of pure genius...the confidence of a man who ruled this planet....these type of ppl comes around every 10 years....#mayweathers #jerryrice #michaeljohnson...Now u have the (freak of nature) #JORDAN standing at 6-6 with a 48 inch vert...a work ethic of a #AlienLifeForm...the #IQ of someone who created the sport...the confidence of a man who WAS the planet..to see who jordan was,WE have to build him by combining a few players....we will all agree #KOBE is close but since #MJ jump 1 foot higher...Give #KOBE Vince Carter jumping ability and control in the air even tho #Mj jumped higher then vince,wish i could stopped there but jordans (type 2 fibers,fast twitch muscles were off the charts..giving him the ability to explode off the move like a rocket without slowing down to gather..one player that has that ability #westbrook so Now we give #KOBE #westbrook's ability to rocket move at full speed..Now we have kobe with vince carter's jumping ability and westbrook's powerful movements and takeoff ability...now only if kobe had this capability he would have been JORDAN and hint why (Phil Jackson said Jordan would avg 50 in this era)...Kobe just wasn't gifted the way MJ was but u have to give him his credit for working his ass off too get mentioned in the same lane as this (unhumanman) it shows u how hard kobe worked but now u know why jordan at 36 looked far more dominant then kobe at 36..when jordan started slowing down his 48 inch very went too 38..and he became kobe in his prime....FORGET STATS....everyone gets fooled by era and the evolution of the game...kobes creativity wasn't created in jordans era....Jordan didn't get to update his software...so u take it all away......so now ask ur self who's better...KOBEBLKMAMBA or KOBE/vince/westbrooke???? JORDAN is the G.O.A.T and KOBE is G.O.A.T of Hardwork

A photo posted by @g.i.l.b.e.r.t.a.r.e.n.a.s on Jul 29, 2015 at 3:44pm PDT

So maybe he was just bored last night? *scans back further in his IG timeline*

 

What a debate this could be...but Allen was the shooting guard and Eric snow was the point...so at point u have Jkidd or Nash...I take kidd becuz he was 6-5 played defense and added 5-8 rebounds but since I have a real basketball mind I'll move #LBJ to the point since anyone with a a decent basketball #IQ knows hes a point not a #3 at #SG I have a few options but either way I will lose a 30 point score so this move is only to fit my team....I will use a loop hole and put #Tmac at the #2 and kobe at the #3 since him and Jordan were technically in the 3 spot in the triangle offense #haha now at the #4 Duncan hands down the best 4 ever...now this is the only reason Iverson is replaced by #Tmac at the #2 becuz my #5 can't be #Shaq so since I lose that big body I made it up at the #SG spot...#Shaq is a 90's center, drafted in 92-93 so his 7-8years in the 90's are better then his 2001-06or 07 when he stop being dominant so a true 2000 center is #Yao or a 7-1 KG who hated the label Center so he played the 4 spot smdh..90's #Stockton #Mj dont when #SirCharles played 3 but In the 90's 3's were more defensive minded players so #pippen would be the #3 now at the #PF u have #mailman or #CB but if u were smart u would move #Dream to the #4 since he was quick and fast and not really 7-0 like they claimed and a hellva match up too watch.. duncan vs dream and the #diesel at the #5....so 90's #stockton #jordan #pippen #Dream #Shaq VS #LBJ #Tmac #KOBE #DUCAN #Yao NOW this is a real 90's vs 2000 debate....90's might edge us becuz of the defense that group plays and they were smart enough too know just pound that shit inside but off the bench is where the 90's squad has trouble keeping up....90's were known for their Big man...swing players we're OKAYYYY compared to 2000 players..Wilkins clyde hill vs lmaoo I'll pick 2000 6th best shooting guard #VinceC which they couldn't keep up with and let #flash and A.I rest

A photo posted by @g.i.l.b.e.r.t.a.r.e.n.a.s on Jul 28, 2015 at 6:50pm PDT

Or maybe he's just bored all the time these days?

At any rate, what do you think of the "LeBron could be the G.O.A.T. if he really wanted to be" argument that Arenas made?

Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.

[via Black Sports Online]

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