Governor Gavin Newsom Places LeBron James Over Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan: “He’s a Special Dude”

After debuting and playing admirably in his 23rd straight season in the NBA, LeBron James has forced fans, analysts, and even his critics to sit up and take notice of what he is doing.

The Los Angeles Lakers will soon be 41 years old. Despite that, he has been playing at an elite level. Whether in his first game this season, where he decided to dish out incredible assists.

Or such as their last game against the Clippers, where he contributed 25 points. Whatever the team needs him to do, he has been doing that, and more.

The debate about the best players in NBA history has taken a new dimension, as James is proving he has been consistently great since his rookie season. The likes of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan either did not have a great start or did not finish at the level they were known for.

I just have so much mad respect for LeBron, man. I love the beauty of MJ, the grace. LeBron, just to me, represents something else, just a mindset, this sustainable values… And what he’s done off the court, how he comforts himself, that matters to me… I think he’s a special dude.

Gavin Newsom said on All The Smoke podcast

When a politician feels compelled to apologize for choosing LeBron over Jordan, it’s a sign that a larger force is tilting the scales and shaping the debate.
Bron is the Goat 🐐 👑 pic.twitter.com/Qjvt6vZ6H4

— Larry P. 🏀 (@NycVipers) November 27, 2025

The California Governor did not go into details about the specifics of their basketball careers. Gavin Newsom believes that the sustainable greatness both on and off the court that LeBron James brings is what makes him the best on his list.

Gavin Newsom details how LeBron James’ character among people is what makes him stand out

While talking about his greatest basketball player ranking, Governor Gavin Newsom detailed how LeBron James‘ character moves him a notch above Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

What he represents to his kids, to his best friends, man, being with them, they’re still with him, says something about his character. I’ve seen him at his low moments, his high moments.

Gavin Newsom said

The Governor believes that since Jordan and Bryant were not great at being around people, James’ ability to be great with people sets him apart.

To him, it shows strength of character when an athlete has the same group of friends around him, who he had with him when he was just a teenager.

As athletes with fame and fortune, many struggle to maintain their relationships. But James has done so, and his family values are what young athletes should follow as a template.

Newsom apologized to Lakers great Kobe Bryant for ranking him 3rd behind LeBron James and Michael Jordan, as the longevity and off-court character keep the Akron native at the top of his leaderboard.

Gilbert Arenas reminds LeBron James’ critics of his performances at nearly 41 years old

Despite what Gavin Newsom says, LeBron James still has a lot of detractors in the league. While discussing the superstar’s performances on Gil’s Arena, host Josiah Johnson brought up recent criticism of the Lakers star’s +/- numbers.

They went to the +/- man? Alright, ok, where are we going to rank him as a 41-year-old that ever played in the NBA? 1, ok. That right there should be able to stop all criticism… Listen, we get it, you don’t like him. I didn’t know we criticize the greats like this.

Gilbert Arenas said

The former All-Star believes those who do not like the Lakers’ star are trying to find even the smallest of things to take shots at The King. Gilbert Arenas believes this was not the case when it came to other aging greats.

The haters are working overtime to discredit LeBron’s monumental contributions in year 23 💯 pic.twitter.com/6y9a9WHYAY

— Gil’s Arena (@GilsArenaShow) November 27, 2025

Since it is LeBron James, those critics want to find anything they can. The former Wizards star feels as if the critics are struggling hard to find anything, as they do not have anything to say to an athlete still playing at that level at age 41.

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