“GOAT.” The second you hear that word, whose name pops into your head? If you said Michael Jordan, you’re not alone. But according to 3× NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, we’re overlooking someone. A legend who made the skyhook a nightmare for defenders. Yep, we’re talkin’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The goggles. The 7’2″ frame. The six rings. The man was impossible to ignore, yet somehow, he was always omitted in GOAT debates. And now? Gilbert Arenas just put his name back on the table in a big way. Let’s just say what he voiced might stir up the GOAT convo all over again.

Gilbert Arenas has never been shy about saying what most wouldn’t dare. He’s long believed Michael Jordan is a bit… well, overhyped. Now, while most fans haven’t exactly rushed to back him up, this time? He dropped something so real, it’s hard to ignore even for the Jordan faithful. 

But before we get into that, let me ask you: What really makes someone the GOAT? Is it the rings? The MVPs? The records? Or is it just the way fans feel about a player? Because if we’re talking accolades, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar isn’t trailing far behind MJ. Actually, in some ways, he’s ahead. And yet, how often do we hear Kareem’s name in the same breath as Jordan? That’s the exact question Arenas is asking.

In a recent Instagram video, Gilbert Arenas went off, and fans are still talking about it. After listing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legendary resume, Arenas said, “And they gave Jordan the GOAT.” He further brought up the statue of Michael Jordan outside the United Center, unveiled in 1994 after just three rings. That statue reads: “The best there ever was. The best there ever will be.”

But by that same year? The Big ‘A’ already had six NBA championships under his belt. Six. Rings. Let that sink in. To Arenas, that math just doesn’t add up. And honestly? It’s hard not to see his point. His whole message? If greatness is about accolades, then why didn’t Kareem get the same crown? What’s the real criteria behind naming someone the GOAT? And this time, fans weren’t arguing; they were nodding along.

Gilbert Arenas stirs the waters as fans question the gospel of Michael Jordan

When Gilbert Arenas dropped his take on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar being overlooked in the GOAT debate because of Michael Jordan, NBA fans rallied in. His video cracked open a decades-old conversation, and suddenly, the comment section became a forum for basketball truth-tellers.

One fan passionately wrote, “OK, Gilbert! This is the best point you ever made 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽.” Arenas is no stranger to bold takes, but this one clearly hit different. For years, the GOAT debate has felt locked on Jordan, end of story. But when someone finally lays out Kareem’s stats, awards, and longevity without bias, it makes people think.

Another user added, “I’ve always said Kareem is the most underrated NBA legend of all time!” And there’s data to back that up. Kareem isn’t just a six-time NBA champion, he’s also the league’s all-time leading scorer (until LeBron James recently passed him). He is a six-time MVP (most in NBA history), 1970 Rookie of the Year, 2x NBA scoring champion, and a 19-time All-Star. That’s the definition of underrated.

Michael Jordan, on the other hand? Same number of NBA rings as Abdul-Jabbar with 5x NBA MVP, 14x NBA All-Star, 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year, and 3x NBA Steals Leader. You see, there’s a significant difference between the resumes of the two players. Despite that, the 78-year-old is often left out of mainstream GOAT conversations. 

One more fan even went deeper, and wrote, “This is basic common sense and logic and a Jordan fan will hear this and pretend something wrong is being said lol.” Okay, that’s rough, but the stats are all in front of you…

Another fan just put it simply, “Facts. Simple facts 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾.” Sometimes, that’s all that needs to be said. Because when the numbers, championships, and historical context line up, what else can you do but agree? And someone else chimed in with, “!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been saying this for years 🤦🏾‍♂️” That’s the power of someone finally saying out loud what many have whispered for a long time. For fans who’ve been shouting “Kareem!” into the void, Arenas’ viral clip felt like validation.

Through this video, Arenas didn’t just challenge Jordan’s status, he gave voice to a community of fans who believe that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy deserves more light. And judging by the reaction, the conversation is far from over.