It has become second nature to LeBron James to smash the most difficult NBA records. James, at 39 years old, is still the LA Lakers’ leader after leading the team to a championship in 2020. In addition, he smashed a few of the largest records he had during his Laker tenure.

This included becoming the top scorer in league history last season and hitting the famous 40,000-point threshold on Saturday. Even though the Lakers (33-29) are merely 10th in the Western Conference, James is now hoping to win another championship.

Despite the obvious records he has shattered, former Washington Wizards great Gilbert Arenas feels James hasn’t accomplished enough to be honored with a statue with the Lakers.

When asked if LeBron would receive a statue with his current team on the “Nightcap” podcast, Arenas declined:

“Hell no, if his career ends now. No. There aren’t enough awards for him wearing the Laker outfit. Years are required. After only six years of playing. Shaq is the closest statue we have to that. Shaq: 13,000 points, three rings, and eight years. That is the base. That is the worst of us. When it comes to genuine recognition with the monument, that is the worst.”All the other people are, like, thirteen or fourteen years old. We still have a few games left in this season, so it will be difficult to fit him in there after six years, 8,000 points, one title, six All-Stars, and five All-NBA selections. That is insufficient for a Los Angeles statue. What do you know?

“They only need to place his shoes. All they have to do is begin with his shoes.

Therefore, Shaquille O’Neal met the requirements for an Arenas statue, which he received in 2017, while LeBron still needs to achieve more to receive a statue honor.

For the Lakers to receive a statue, LeBron James must follow in Shaquille O’Neal’s footsteps.

Gilbert Arenas’ remarks regarding LeBron James could draw criticism.

Shaquille O’Neal, on the other hand, amassed three NBA Finals MVP awards while playing for the Lakers and won three NBA titles. Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and Shaq are the only two players who have accomplished that feat together.

While LeBron James has only won one title for the storied team since 2018, O’Neal gained another ring during his time with the Miami Heat. With the Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, he earned his remaining three rings.

LeBron James, of course, also guided the Lakers to their first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament triumph. But when he signed with the Lakers, his prime had already passed. James played for teams like the Miami Heat and the Cavaliers for most of his heyday.

The previous three seasons were failures, even though he guided the Lakers to the 2020 championship and the Western Conference finals the previous year. The Lakers had losing records at the end twice. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the last time.

If anything, supporters would contend that after LeBron James retires, the Cavaliers ought to erect a statue in his honor. Arenas was hinting that LeBron will need to add more accomplishments with the Lakers to be worthy of a statue, rather than just a question of skill. It will be interesting to watch if he continues like that in his remaining career.

Six players—Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Elgin Baylor, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—as well as broadcaster Chick Hearn have been commemorated by the team with statues.