"I am busting you a**" - Ex-Warriors guard advocates placing LeBron James in same killer tier as Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant 

The debate over who is the fiercest competitor between Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James has existed for years. On Gil’s Arena, hosted by former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, he and his panel of guests got into a rousing discussion over who was the best killer.

In a preview for an upcoming episode of Gil's Arena, the crew went back and forth on whether or not James belongs in the same tier of "killer" that Jordan and Bryant are typically seen as being in. The conversation, which primarily involved Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young, and Brandon Jennings, was a fiery exchange over the totality of James' career.

"And that's the problem with the argument. When they say this guy is a pitbull and this guy is a cat, but the cat has more kills, total kills, kills at the fastest mark, has more accuracy at killing— you gotta change how you use stuff," Arenas said after initially posing the question to the group.

“If you are calling me softie but I am busting your a**, it says more about you." Arenas continued. "If you're saying this guy is a killer and this guy is soft, but this guy has way more kills in the faster time, you gotta describe it a little bit different.”

Arenas attacks the idea that James can't be considered as the same tier of killer as Jordan and Bryant despite scoring more points than both of them in his career.

"We don't care about that little shit, just get it done," an unimpressed Jennings responded.

"But you ain't beat me to the main kills," Young chimed in. "You got 4. 4, 5, 6. That's the main thing."

Jennings and Young claimed LeBron James can't be seen as a killer on the same tier as Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant because they have more championship rings than him (MJ's six and Kobe's five to LeBron's four).

"But the reality is. Three of my big kills I'm doing this— 'hey shoot em right there'. I'm the sidekick," Arenas said.

Arenas is referencing the fact that three of Bryant's five championships came while he was under the age of 23 and playing alongside Shaquille O'Neal, who won all three Finals MVP awards and is largely seen as having been the better player at the time.

LeBron James (right) with Kobe Bryant (left) during his last NBA All-Star Game in 2016. (Getty Images)

Arenas attempts to challenge what he perceives as hypocrisy in the narrative. If championships are all that matter, then there are roleplayers with more rings than any of them. If being the best player on the team that wins the title is the defining qualifier, then LeBron has done that more times than Kobe (four Finals MVPs to Kobe's two).

The debate doesn't reach a definitive conclusion as neither side feels swayed by the other's arguments.

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LeBron James surpasses Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games

People will continue to debate on the greatness of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James; three of the game's most idolized figures with legendary careers to boast. While the playing days of Jordan and Bryant have come and gone, James is currently in his 22nd season.

On January 3, James put up 30 points, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds in a win over the Atlanta Hawks to surpass Jordan for the most 30-point games in NBA history. This historic 563rd performance is yet another record for LeBron James.