Home / Sports / Arenas Claims Michael Jordan Fueled 'Sidekick' Narrative Around Kobe Bryant
Arenas Claims Michael Jordan Fueled 'Sidekick' Narrative Around Kobe Bryant
30 Jul
Summary
- Gilbert Arenas claims Michael Jordan's media dominance led to Kobe Bryant being called a 'sidekick' during Lakers' 3-peat
- Arenas argues the 'sidekick' label wasn't from within the Lakers but driven by Jordan-loving media
- Arenas says the rules around ring culture and 'number two options' changed due to Jordan's influence
According to former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, the perception of Kobe Bryant as a 'sidekick' during the Los Angeles Lakers' three-peat championship run from 2000 to 2002 was not born within the Lakers locker room or from fans, but rather driven by Michael Jordan's media dominance.
Arenas explains that when the Bulls won three championships and Jordan retired in 1998, the next shooting guard to go three-peat was Kobe Bryant. However, Arenas claims that the 'Jordan-loving media' at the time, including NBC and other outlets, were not willing to accept Kobe as the next Michael Jordan while Jordan was still playing for the Washington Wizards in 2001.
As a result, Arenas alleges the media pushed the narrative that 'this is Shaq's team' and that Kobe was merely a 'sidekick,' despite his playoff heroics, clutch performances, and lockdown defense. Arenas argues this was a new concept, as before Kobe, no one had discredited a player for being the 'number two option,' with Magic Johnson even celebrating his 'silver medals.'
Arenas believes the rules around ring culture and the perception of 'number two options' only changed once Kobe started winning and again when LeBron James started losing in the Finals, all due to the Jordan-driven media machine's desire to control the narrative and who could be considered the next Jordan.
