“Michael Jordan No. 2 All Time,” Gilbert Arenas Places His Airness Between LeBron James & Kobe Bryant

The GOAT debate is a conversation that has raged on for ages. Multiple players have been regarded as the GOAT with every passing era; however, the debate primarily centers around two individuals: Michael Jordan and LeBron James. But another player often makes his way into the conversation: Kobe Bryant.

Jordan will forever be credited with globalizing the NBA like never seen before. His accolades and winning mentality were second to none, and his 6-0 record in the NBA Finals is one of the main reasons many will always see him as the greatest ever.

However, over the last two decades, Bryant and James are two players who have been compared to him in terms of greatness. Both players have won everything there is to win in the game and have carved out their own respective paths to success.

During an appearance on the Get To The Point podcast, Gilbert Arenas was asked for an NBA opinion that could get him in trouble. He answered,

Putting Michael Jordan number two all time. That’s why I switch one, two and three all the time. I am one of the audiences that grew up [watching Jordan]. You told us why Michael Jordan was the greatest. Okay, I got that information. We defend the one we love and we target the one we don’t like. He is number two.

Gilbert Arenas on Get To The Point

Gilbert Arenas says Michael Jordan is not always No. 1 on his all-time NBA list. Sometimes he puts Kobe Bryant and LeBron James ahead of him. And he says he switches the top three around all the time. Asked for an NBA opinion that would get him in trouble, Arenas didn’t hesitate: “Putting Michael Jordan number two of all time.” He explains that growing up, Jordan was the standard. Then Kobe came along and changed how he viewed greatness. Arenas points to the fact that Kobe didn’t have the same physical advantages as some of the other greats, yet worked his way into the same conversation as Jordan. Then LeBron arrived. Arenas says he saw exactly what people had described: Magic Johnson’s playmaking combined with Michael Jordan’s scoring ability. And what impressed him most was the consistency. “There’s nobody who can say in the 24 years that they went into the season and he failed expectations that season.” He argues that even when championships become part of the debate, LeBron’s individual performances and consistency across those seasons deserve recognition. Arenas also points out that LeBron won MVP awards while Kobe, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett were competing at the highest level. His bigger issue is how fans approach the GOAT debate. “We defend the one we love and we target the one we don’t like.” Instead of appreciating what Jordan, Kobe and LeBron each brought to the game, fans turn the conversation into a fight over whose legacy deserves to be protected. For Arenas, all three have a case. That’s why he keeps switching the order. So where do you rank them: Jordan, Kobe and LeBron?

— Bassey (@0xBassey) October 30, 2026

Arenas is one of the few players to have faced all three icons in his career. While the majority usually side with Michael Jordan when it comes to the eternal debate, Arenas has been one of the few personalities to call out the media for portraying him bigger than he actually was.

The former All-Star was born in a Chicago Bulls-loving home but believes the media has protected Jordan throughout his career. He was asked for a controversial opinion, and Arenas gave one.

Gilbert Arenas has LeBron James and Kobe Bryant alongside Michael Jordan as top-three all time

When it comes to the GOAT debate, it is a matter of preference at the end of the day. But one thing for certain is that Jordan, Kobe Bryant and James have all dominated their respective eras like nobody else, and it is fair to say that all great players can play in any era.

Bryant is one of the few players who has come closest to Jordan in terms of playing style. The Los Angeles Lakers legend mirrored his game after Jordan and is also well known for his score-first mentality and killer instinct. He was obsessed in overtaking his idol.

Meanwhile, LeBron James is an outlier compared to the two in terms of his style of play and path to greatness. The King may have the fewest championships among the three, but his longevity has seen him break several records in the history books. He is currently in his 24th season in the NBA and continues to defy Father Time.

After placing Jordan at number two, Arenas named Bryant and James as the other two players in his GOAT conversation.

My favorite player went from Penny Hardaway to Kobe Bryant. This engine (Bryant) is not like this (Jordan) but it has to work so so much more to even get in this zone. The fact that he even got in this conversation is GOAT sh**. Then LeBron James comes. What I watched was Magic Johnson with Jordan ability and he did not disappoint. Not one season he was bad. That’s GOAT sh**.

Gilbert Arenas on Get To The Point

Arenas did not mention where he ranked Bryant and James in his GOAT list. However, he did reveal that he does keep changing the order of the top three from time to time.

Gilbert Arenas on Kobe Bryant’s work ethic

Kobe Bryant has always been regarded for his work ethic and hyper-competitiveness. He is an elite scorer of the ball and never knew when to give up.

He may not have been as gifted and skilled as Jordan or James, but he did make up for it with his work ethic. The phrase “Mamba Mentality” was popularly used to describe his drive and self-discipline.

Gilbert Arenas had the opportunity to see Bryant up close as they faced off several times in their careers. He spoke about how Bryant’s game preparation was unmatched. 

I went to the gym at 3. They said he goes to gym before a game at 3pm. The game is at 7. He’s going out there like its Game 7 of the Finals. We only won like seven games. But he’s really going through it. And it’s just like this is what working out is. His individual workout is harder than our actual practice.

Gilbert Arenas on Get To The Point

Bryant was often known to be a student of the game. He shared a close relationship with Jordan and would ask him questions to learn. Just watching him work out got Arenas to change his workout plans as well.

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