Michael Jordan, considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time, dominated the NBA over a stellar 15-season career before his first retirement in 2003. Known for his incredible performances and skillful play, Jordan’s legacy is firmly established with six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and six Finals MVPs. Yet, according to Gilbert Arenas, Jordan’s status as the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) was established well before he secured his first NBA title.
In a recent interview on the “Above the Rim With DH 12” podcast, Arenas revealed his thoughts on how Jordan was regarded as the GOAT even before winning his first championship in 1991. Jordan, who averaged 31.5 points, 5.5 assists, and six rebounds per game during the 1990 season, was already being labeled the greatest by fans and analysts. This was notably before he won his initial NBA title or achieved many of his later career accolades.
Arenas pointed out that this early labeling of Jordan as the GOAT was somewhat unprecedented. He mentioned that despite Jordan’s impressive career stats and achievements, such as his first MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year title in 1988, other basketball legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird did not receive similar treatment in the GOAT debate prior to winning their championships.
According to Arenas, this early recognition of Jordan as the GOAT was not based solely on his championships but on the extraordinary level of his play. He argues that this precedent creates an unfair standard for evaluating other great players such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, who are often judged against different criteria.
Jordan’s impact on the game was undeniable even before his championship victories. His dominance in scoring, his two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest victories, and his selection as an All-Star and scoring champion multiple times highlighted his exceptional talent. Despite not yet having a championship to his name, Jordan’s performances set a benchmark for greatness in the sport.
Arenas’ comments underscore the complexity of the GOAT debate and suggest that Jordan’s early acclaim as the greatest player was a significant factor in shaping how future players are evaluated.
