Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA star known for his provocative views, has once again sparked controversy by claiming that LeBron James is not a true Lakers icon but rather a “rental” for the team’s success.
In a recent interview on the Nightcap show, Arenas argued that James’ history with the Los Angeles Lakers would never compare to superstars like Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson, who spent their entire careers with the team.
“LeBron was a rental for the Lakers’ greatness, and that’s just something he’ll have to accept,” Arenas stated. “His [scoring] milestones came in this uniform… but the legacy wasn”t formed here.”
Gilbert Arenas claims LeBron was “a rental” for greatness and that his “Laker résumé doesn’t have a statue.”
Arenas underlined that, while LeBron James has set huge scoring milestones while wearing the Lakers’ uniform, his entire legacy with the organization lacks the profound connection seen with superstars such as Magic and Kobe.
“LeBron”s Laker resume doesn”t have a statue here,” he added. “LeBron James, the name—f-k yeah, has a statue.”
Arenas said that James’ time in Los Angeles was not as memorable as his ones in Cleveland and Miami. Despite winning a championship with the Lakers and setting the NBA record for points scored in purple and gold, Arenas claimed that LeBron’s career had already attained legendary status prior to joining the organization.
While conceding that LeBron’s Lakers legacy would be different from that of Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, Arenas questioned if James would be
Given his career stops in many locales, he is remembered favorably in Lakers mythology.
However, critics contend that James’ impact on the Lakers, which included guiding the team to an NBA championship and setting scoring records, has left an indelible legacy.
