Gilbert Arenas gives his two cents on the LeBron James’ ‘fear’ debacle explaining why players were never scared of him
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas shares his opinion on why LeBron James was never feared by his opponents.
Follow Us
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding LeBron James and his claim that he was feared by his opponents during his prime. Arenas, who played against James several times in the playoffs, said that players were never scared of him because they knew he had weaknesses in his game.
Arenas made his comments on the No Chill podcast with Mike Botticello, where he discussed the difference between being respected and being feared as a basketball player. He said that respect is earned by being consistent and dominant, while fear is instilled by being unpredictable and ruthless.
He gave examples of players who he considered to be feared by their opponents, such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Kevin Durant. He said that these players had a killer instinct and a willingness to take over games at any moment. He also said that they had no flaws in their offensive arsenal and could score from anywhere on the court.
He contrasted them with James, who he said was respected but not feared by his peers. He said that James had a predictable style of play and relied too much on his physical attributes. He also said that James had weaknesses in his shooting and free-throw abilities, which made him vulnerable in clutch situations.
“He’s not a killer,” Arenas said of James. “He’s a great player, but he’s not a killer.”
Why Gilbert Arenas’ opinion matters?
Arenas’ opinion on James may carry some weight because he has firsthand experience of playing against him in high-stakes games. Arenas and James had several memorable duels in the mid-2000s when they were both rising stars in the Eastern Conference.
Arenas never reached the same level of success after suffering multiple injuries and legal troubles later in his career. He retired from the NBA in 2012 after playing for three different teams.
James went on to win four championships with two different franchises and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. However, he has also faced criticism for losing six times in the NBA Finals and for joining forces with other superstars to form superteams.
Arenas’ comments may reflect some of the resentment that some former players have towards James’ legacy and achievements. They may also reveal some of the challenges that James faces in earning universal respect from his peers and fans.
In Case You Missed:
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)