‘Dennis Rodman wouldn’t be stopping LeBron James’: Gilbert Arenas explains why Bulls legend wouldn’t be able to defend Lakers’ superstar

Tonoy Sengupta | 05/04/2021
'Dennis Rodman wouldn't be stopping LeBron James': Gilbert Arenas explains why Bulls legend wouldn't be able to defend Lakers' superstar

Gilbert Arenas believes former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman wouldn’t come close to locking down LeBron James.

During his time in the NBA, Gilbert Arenas was one of the best role players money could buy. His defense, while not incredible was very effective even against some of the best. And his offensive abilities created matchup problems for any team in the league at the time. To the point that even greats like LeBron James bring him up in NBA-related conversations to this day.

Now, the former player is very popular amongst podcast circles. Arenas has appeared on several different shows on multiple occasions and always comes away with a statement that divides the NBA community.

And it seems the former Magic man is back at it yet again.

Also Read: Fans roast LeBron James for recruiting Superman and Gandalf in the Space Jam trailer, while Michael Jordan only needed Bill Murray and Newman

Gilbert Arenas explains why Dennis Rodman wouldn’t be able to guard LeBron James

During his time in the NBA, Dennis Rodman was one of the best defenders in the entire NBA. Many have said that if he played today, the former Bulls star would have locked up even the best in the NBA with ease. But it seems that Gilbert Arenas disagrees with that take completely.

“Dennis Rodman, a 6’7, 210-pound guy, wouldn’t be stopping LeBron James. Let it go… He’s a point guard. You were great at defending people whose back is to the basket. He’s going downhill. Your brute strength has no bearing on downhill guards… The defensive guards back in the day, you get the hand check.”

The former NBA veteran continued.

“Well, the hand check worked because the guard wasn’t scoring, he was a set-up guy. So he’s sitting there with his back to the basket trying to get this offense, get it to the big man down low. So, it’s easy to just you know hand check a guy who’s not moving anywhere.”

It may just depend on the era of basketball you watched as an NBA fan, to discern which side of the fence you’re on. LeBron James is certainly one of the best to ever do it. And Gilbert Arenas’s arguments do make sense. However, whether or not he was right for sure will remain unanswered forever.

Also Read: Gonzaga Final Four Buzzer Beater Star Could Have Been In The NFL

Post Edited By: Jatin Hasija
Chicago Bulls Dennis Rodman Gilbert Arenas LA Lakers LeBron James NBA

About the author

Tonoy Sengupta

Tonoy Sengupta

Tonoy Sengupta is a Senior Editor at The SportsRush. Coming from an athletically inclined family, he has been surrounded by sports ever since he was 4 years old. But, while initially pouring all his time into Football (soccer), at 14, Tonoy discovered basketball through the countless highlights of Stephen Curry humiliating players from Curry Land. And just like that, a fiery passion for the game was ignited within Tonoy. And soon after, he decided to become a student of journalism, graduating in 2022, and choosing sports as his area of interest. Today, you can find him spending 99% of his time browsing through every type of content on every team in the NBA, before uncorking everything he has found to the world. In the 1% he isn't doing this, you can find him playing Basketball, Football, Volleyball, or practically any other sport he has had the opportunity to learn.

Don’t miss these