Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has caused some buzz recently by claiming that even though he never went to the Miami Heat early in his career, he’s still on the same level.
While with the Heat, James won his first two NBA championships.
It’s worth noting that the four-time champion did clarify his views recently, explaining that without the job in South Florida, he might have fewer rings than he does now.
However, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas seems to believe that even if James had never joined the Heat, he would still have the same number of rings today.
“Champions,” Arenas said when asked what would have happened if James had gone to the West instead of joining the Heat.
Arenas was then asked if James would beat Kobe Bryant in the process. I gave a simple answer.
“Yes,” he said.
Arenas explained his thinking.
“When LeBron James was a free agent, he, (Chris) Bosh, (Dwyane) Wade and Mike Miller formed a team,” he said. “So, in theory, wherever he goes, they’re going to win the championship.”
During the conversation, Arenas was asked directly if James would have won both championships without the Heat, and he said yes.
Currently, James did win his first NBA championship with Miami in 2012 and then his second in 2013. Years later, he won the 2016 NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers and won his fourth championship ring in 2020 with the Lakers. land.
Arenas’s perspective is an interesting one to consider, and one can only imagine what the league’s landscape would have been like in the 2010s (and maybe even today) if James had gone somewhere other than the Heat.
Currently, the 38-year-old is looking to add a fifth ring to his collection. His Lakers are off to a sluggish start to the season with a 3-4 record, but are expected to improve once the team gets healthier.
The Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals last season but were swept by the Denver Nuggets. The playoff run may have given James hope that he can still achieve a fifth ring. The 19-time All-Star is entering his 21st NBA season and would most like to add another championship to his resume.