Today, many people consider Michael Jordan to be the greatest NBA player of all time, but there is still debate about when he truly took the leap and solidified his status as the GOAT. While some argue that it was after his first championship ring, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas believes that Jordan was already the best player to ever grace the court before he even won his first title.
Arenas, who played in the NBA for 11 seasons and was a three-time All-Star, recently made a bold statement about Jordan in an interview with The Cold Wire. He said, “People don’t realize that he [Jordan] was already the best player in the league before he won his first championship. He was dominating the game in every aspect and it was clear to anyone who was watching.”
This statement may come as a surprise to some, as Jordan’s six championship rings are often cited as the main reason for his GOAT status. However, Arenas makes a valid point about Jordan’s impact on the game even before he had any hardware to show for it.
Jordan entered the NBA in 1984 as the third overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. From the very beginning, he showed flashes of greatness and quickly became a fan favorite. In his rookie season, he averaged an impressive 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. He was named Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team, solidifying his place as one of the league’s top players.
But it wasn’t until the 1986-87 season that Jordan truly established himself as a dominant force in the league. He averaged a league-leading 37.1 points per game and became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to score 3,000 points in a single season. He also earned his first MVP award and led the Bulls to the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Despite these impressive numbers and accomplishments, Jordan and the Bulls were unable to make it past the first round of the playoffs. This led some to question whether Jordan was truly the best player in the league, as he had yet to prove himself in the postseason.
But Arenas argues that this was not a fair assessment of Jordan’s abilities. He explains, “Jordan was playing at a level that no one had ever seen before. He was breaking records and dominating games in a way that had never been done. Just because he didn’t have a championship ring yet, doesn’t mean he wasn’t the best player in the league.”
Arenas also points out that Jordan faced tough competition during this time, with players like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Isiah Thomas at the top of their game. Yet, Jordan still managed to stand out and make a name for himself as the league’s top player.
It wasn’t until the 1990-91 season that Jordan and the Bulls finally won their first championship. They went on to win five more in the next seven years, solidifying Jordan’s status as the GOAT in the eyes of many. But according to Arenas, Jordan was already the best player in the league long before he had any championship rings.
In the end, whether you believe Jordan became the GOAT after his first championship or before, there is no denying his impact on the game of basketball. He revolutionized the sport and inspired generations of players to come. His legacy will continue to live on, and his name will always be synonymous with greatness.
In conclusion, while there may be debate about when exactly Jordan became the GOAT, there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest players to ever grace the NBA court. His talent, determination, and unmatched work ethic have earned him the respect and admiration of fans and players alike. And as Gilbert Arenas reminds us, Jordan’s greatness was evident long before he had any championship rings to show for it.
