Gilbert Arenas: Michael Jordan’s name remains relevant because of LeBron James

National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time and is credited with popularizing the league globally during the 1980s and 1990s. Jordan’s combination of skill, competitiveness, and marketability helped elevate the NBA from a domestic league to an international phenomenon, and his influence continues to resonate even decades after his retirement in 2003.

Despite stepping away from professional basketball nearly two decades ago, Jordan remains a household name. Across social media, sports debates, and mainstream media, he is still frequently cited as the definitive “GOAT” — the greatest of all time. His enduring popularity stems not only from his unmatched exploits on the court but also from his lasting cultural and commercial impact, from Air Jordan sneakers to his ownership of the Charlotte Hornets.

However, as the NBA evolves and new stars emerge, some analysts have raised interesting perspectives on why Jordan’s name continues to hold such prominence today. Three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, now a prominent broadcaster and media personality, recently offered a provocative take, suggesting that Jordan’s ongoing relevance is closely tied to the presence of another all-time great: LeBron James.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

Arenas argued that, historically, even the most celebrated players eventually fade from public consciousness. Legends such as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, who dominated the 1980s and 1990s, are rarely remembered with the same reverence in today’s media landscape. In contrast, Jordan remains a central figure, Arenas contends, largely because LeBron James’ sustained excellence keeps the GOAT debate alive.

Gilbert Arenas believes Michael Jordan is still relevant in the basketball community because of LeBron James 😳

“This is reality but it’s gonna be treated like a hot take. If you look at the past, just like any great, your name becomes irrelevant…. MJs name is still really big… pic.twitter.com/clMDKugZVB

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 27, 2026

“If you look at the past, just like any great, your name becomes irrelevant, and people move on. Your generation voice gets a little bit lower. MJ’s name is still really big in the community, Larry Bird’s name is gone. Tim Duncan, right now? Gone. Remember MJ is not active in the basketball community. The basketball community still holds MJ here because of LeBron James. When LeBron James retires, the MJ name will fade a little bit,” Arenas said.

He added that Jordan’s name often resurfaces whenever LeBron approaches or challenges one of his historic achievements, a dynamic Arenas believes has kept Jordan relevant even in an era where he is no longer competing.

“If you’re watching LeBron James climb to the top, the only way Jordan fans get activated is because somebody got close enough. Every time LeBron did something, the MJ-voice became louder. MJ’s been in NASCAR and motorbikes since 2003, and you can’t tell me s**t about anything he does. Nobody reports nothing about MJ’s life,” he added.

Arenas’ observations point to an interesting phenomenon in sports culture: the longevity of a legend’s relevance is often tied not only to their accomplishments but also to the context provided by current players. For instance, even Allen Iverson, a transformative figure in the 1990s who revolutionized the game both on and off the court, rarely appears in contemporary conversations among younger fans, despite his enormous impact. Similarly, other icons like Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki, who defined an era, have largely receded from mainstream media discussions.

This raises a compelling question about how sports history is preserved and how the legacies of great players are framed relative to the stars of today. Jordan’s continued visibility, Arenas argues, is amplified by the ongoing comparisons to LeBron James, who has maintained elite performance levels into his 20th-plus season. The dynamic interplay between past and present stars, therefore, is not just about individual greatness, but also about the narrative constructed by fans, media, and culture at large.

Ultimately, while Jordan’s supremacy on the court is unquestioned, Arenas’ perspective suggests that the durability of a legend’s reputation is sometimes as much about the present as it is about the past. The ongoing LeBron-Jordan dialogue, with all its debates and controversies, ensures that MJ’s name remains central in basketball conversations, a status that may gradually shift once LeBron eventually hangs up his jersey.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.