Gilbert Arenas has never shied away from controversy, but his latest challenge to Draymond Green has reignited one of basketball’s most heated debates. Does ring culture really define NBA greatness, or is it time to rethink how we judge legacies?

It’s a question that’s been quietly simmering for years, but LeBron James’ take against the ring culture brought it to main spotlight. Now, few realize just how arbitrary the NBA’s own legacy rankings can be. Take the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, for example: despite its name, the list included 76 players due to a tie, and—crucially—the league released it in alphabetical order, never assigning ranks. It was ESPN that took the extra step, using an expert panel to rank every legend from 76 to 1, fueling even more debate over who truly belongs among the game’s immortals. This context sets the stage for Gilbert Arenas’ pointed demand.

Arenas, responding to Draymond Green’s dismissal of non-champions speaking on “ring culture,” didn’t mince words: “If you don’t like my research and my answer, then you answer it. And please don’t say, I don’t care. Come up with an educated answer.” His question was simple but loaded: why was Klay Thompson—three rings, two All-NBA selections, five All-Star appearances at the time—left off the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team? Gilbert Arenas pressed further, highlighting how Scottie Pippen, a six-time champion with seven All-NBA nods and ten All-Defensive selections, sits at 32 on ESPN’s ranking, just behind Allen Iverson at 31—despite Iverson never winning a ring. The implication: the system doesn’t truly value second option rings.

This isn’t just an academic debate. ESPN’s ranking, which placed Iverson ahead of Pippen, underscores that cultural impact and individual brilliance often outweigh championship totals in legacy discussions. Iverson, for instance, led the league in scoring four times and was a league MVP, while Pippen’s six titles all came as Michael Jordan’s running mate. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson’s omission from the 75th Anniversary Team—despite being a core piece of a dynasty—raises questions about how voters weigh team context versus individual accolades. So, Arenas’ challenge to Green is more than personal—it’s a demand for transparency in how greatness is measured.

“They don’t give two sh—s about second option rings,” Arenas declared, pointing out that the NBA doesn’t equate Pippen’s six rings with Jordan’s, or Kobe Bryant’s five with Derek Fisher’s. He pressed Green to answer: what’s harder, winning an MVP or a championship?

The numbers support Gilbert Arenas’ skepticism: there are multiple players on the NBA’s 75th list with fewer or no rings ranked above multi-time champions, suggesting that titles alone don’t move the needle as much as fans believe.

LeBron James’ ex-teammate slams him for his Ring Culture remarks

Bron’s recent take on the NBA’s ring culture has ruffled more than a few feathers—especially among former players. If you’ve followed the league long enough, you know how often championship rings get dragged into debates about greatness. But LeBron isn’t buying into that idea anymore. On an episode of his Mind the Game podcast, James opened up about how titles are unfairly used to define players.

“Trying to nitpick an individual because he was not able to win a team game or a team match, or whatever the case may be… it’s a long conversation, especially when it comes to me individually,” he said. The Los Angeles Lakers star even brought up legends like Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, and Steve Nash, pointing out that their lack of rings shouldn’t erase their greatness: “You sit here and tell me Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley and Steve Nash f— weren’t unbelievable?”

While LeBron’s point hits home for fans who’ve seen iconic careers end without a title, not everyone is on board. Kendrick Perkins, his former Cavaliers teammate, didn’t hold back on the Road Trippin podcast. “People remember champions, so lets not start moving the goalpost and lowering the standards, championships matter,” he said.

And Perkins made sure to back up his argument with the biggest names in basketball lore. “When you talk about being in conversations as far as the GOAT’s and All Time greats they won rings at a high level, Bill Russell, Jordan, Magic, Bird, Isaiah Thomas, Kobe. Matter of fact Kobe rolling in his grave by some of the comments about ring culture going on.”

So while Gilbert Arenas might have some concrete arguments in his support for LeBron James’ chain of thought, there’s section of NBA athletes that is clearly not letting the value of rings diminish.