"How f**ked we are" - Ex-Warriors claims Michael Jordan-led Wizards edges out LeBron James-led Lakers

Michael Jordan was again at the center of the NBA's GOAT debate, thanks to a bold claim by former Warriors player Gilbert Arenas. On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, "The Gil's Arena Show," he argued that the 2002-03 Washington Wizards team, which featured a 40-year-old Jordan, was better than this season's LA Lakers, led by 40-year-old LeBron James.

While the other members of the show tried to dispel Gilbert Arenas' argument, he had points to back his claims. Arenas asserted that his reason for picking the Michael Jordan-led Wizards was that the Wizards had other top players. In contrast, the LA Lakers have LeBron James as their top player despite his advanced age.

"We are bottom shelf," Arenas said. "We just got a good name on our product. We got LeBron James. But he's 40. The name LeBron James is confusing. Our 40-year old is the best player."

"That kind of let you know how f*** we are. The Wizards was better than this. Rip Hamilton, they had Jerry Stackhouse. the 40-year old should be the third option," Gilbert Arenas added.

Michael Jordan made another comeback, this time to the Washington Wizards. In the 2002-23 season, when he was 40, he still showed he had the star spark, averaging 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

LeBron James, who turned 40 on Dec. 30, is having another All-Star performance with the Lakers. He is averaging 23.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game.

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Michael Jordan snubbed for LeBron James for NBA's GOAT by former player

Michael Jordan was not the first choice for the league's greatest player when former Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton spoke to Brandon Robinson of "Scoop B Radio" in April 2021. The former player sided with LeBron James and cited his all-round play as the reason for his choice.

"Two totally different basketball players. Jordan was a guy that he was going to make big shots. He’s going to take the ball every time and shoot it every time he has to. I think LeBron is an all around basketball player.”

While fans of both players have genuine reasons for their choice, each is unique in his own way. Michael Jordan's six league titles trump LeBron James' four, although some argue that James winning four titles with three different teams is an equally impressive feat.