Ask nearly anyone and they would tell you that Michael Jordan sets the benchmark for the greatest basketball player ever. He is probably the aspiration of most players to strive toward. However, this former Washington Wizards player believes that it is almost impossible to get to Jordan’s level, no matter how hard someone tries, as people have placed him on a pedestal.

Gilbert Arenas recently revealed that Michael Jordan would have been considered the greatest player even if he didn’t win six championships. This is because Jordan changed how fans perceived a basketball player when he came to the NBA.

“When Jordan came in, what they seen is a whole different animal. You are seeing something that is different… ‘This is the best thing we’ve seen. I don’t give a f*** what he does, it’s the best player we’ve ever seen.’ It’s the eye test… He got the logo in ’88. That whole campaign and that is considered the greatest individual season anybody could have had. That’s when he became the best player ever. There was no ring,” said the 3x All-Star in a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George.

So, Arenas believes that it was easy for critics to crown Jordan the greatest player ever: Because there was no one else at the time who accomplished what Michael Jordan did. However, even if someone like Jordan hadn’t won an NBA championship, his performance in the 1987-88 season was enough for many to consider him the greatest ever.

Arenas understands the impact that Michael Jordan has had on the world of basketball. He is the reason that the NBA is the league it is right now. No one in the future can do what Michael Jordan did by himself.

Michael Jordan’s impact is immeasurable

While NBA greats like LeBron James have the skill, star power, and stats to become the greatest player ever, Arenas believes that he can never surpass Jordan.

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This is because Jordan always has the edge over everyone else. He carried the NBA by himself when there were no other superstars like him. Currently, there are multiple superstars in the NBA; but Jordan had to carry the burden by himself in his time, and he overachieved his goal by miles. That’s why, according to Arenas, it will always be Michael Jordan in the eyes of the fans.

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What do you think of Gilbert Arenas’ analysis of the GOAT debate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!