“This is why you’re not the GOAT” LeBron James faces hypocritical media bias claims Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas points out hypocritical media bias against LeBron James with Paris Olympics 2024 game against Serbia as example.

“This is why you’re not the GOAT” LeBron James faces hypocritical media bias claims Gilbert Arenas

Media coverage of LeBron James' performances at Paris Olympics 2024 shows hypocrite side says Gilbert Arenas (image via USA Basketball/X)

The game against Serbia in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics was too close for comfort. In the end, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry bailed Team USA out. However, this raises the question: what if the Americans had lost? Naturally, the world wouldn’t hold back in criticizing the greats, but Gilbert Arenas feels that one player would receive the most blame.

The former All-Star was speaking on his show, Gil’s Arena, right after the semifinal game ended. He pointed out a ‘what if’ scenario, saying:

The reason that these guys are rooting for the South Sudan, the Serbia, everybody against USA, is so LeBron James. If he fails, they get to throw this, 'This is why you're not the GOAT'. Even though their GOAT wasn't s**t at this age. And if he wins, 'it was a team thing'. If Team USA loses, all the reporters are going to blame LeBron James, like it was his fault.
Gilbert Arenas said

He claimed that media will change the narrative as per the outcome at the Paris Olympics 2024. They would either discredit or blame LeBron James.

Gilbert Arenas might have a point. Over the course of LeBron James’ 21 years in the league, the media has often credited others for winning championships or close games. This was the case with Kyrie Irving and Ray Allen, both of whom received praise for making title-winning shots.

On the other hand, whenever James has faltered in his attempts to win an NBA title, he has often been the one blamed. During these blame sessions, the media tends to overlook the team’s composition, coaching errors, or mistakes from teammates. Another analyst agreed with this assessment.

Nick Wright seconds Gilbert Arenas’ claims of media hypocrisy for LeBron James

Analyst Nick Wright was part of the post-game discussion on First Things First. When the topic of how it would have impacted the legacy of the Big 3 was brought up, Wright said:

Steph, LeBron and KD are the three guys, mostly LeBron, but those guys as well a little bit. If they lose this game, their legacy is like, they take a hit. For LeBron it's a killer, for the other guys it's a hit. LeBron's would have been trending on Twitter immediately.
Nick Wright said

That adds to the notion that the blame would have been pointed towards LeBron James’ head, more than it would on Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

That is, even though they are equally liable to be blamed. However, Nick Wright was clear that the entire basketball community would turn on the all-time leading scorer. It seems the scrutiny LeBron James receives is the reason for it.

After all, he is firmly in the GOAT debate and a basketball player with an impeccable reputation as a family man—qualities that fans don’t often see in athletes. As a result, the scrutiny would likely lead fans to question his legacy rather than empathize with him, something they might do for other players.

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