LeBron James’ role as a point guard has been a topic of discussion during the NBA community’s debates, with Gilbert Arenas notably challenging the idea that James fits the traditional mold of a point guard. In a recent No Chill Gill stream hosted by Josiah Johnson, Arenas argued that even though LeBron was listed as a point guard during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 championship run, the label doesn’t fully represent his role or the significance of the position itself.
Gilbert Arenas Questions Point Guard Influence on Winning
Arenas and Johnson explored the impact of point guards on team success, with Arenas taking a skeptical stance. He contended that point guards often serve limited roles focused on defense or spot-up shooting rather than truly directing the offense.
“The point guards are not effective to the team,”
Arenas stated.
“They are just defensive players or spot-up shooters.”
He elaborated on his view by pointing out that championship teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls, the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers, and the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich never had their best player in the point guard spot, yet still enjoyed sustained success. Arenas emphasized that offenses typically revolve around the best player, not necessarily the point guard, and when the best player is a true point guard, it rarely lasts at the highest level, taking Steve Nash as an example.
Josiah Johnson’s Counterpoint: LeBron James in 2020
The discussion shifted when Johnson brought up LeBron’s 2020 Lakers team.
“Yo, you trying to tell me that LeBron wasn’t the point guard on that Lakers championship team?”
he asked. Arenas countered by comparing the situation to Draymond Green’s role with the Golden State Warriors, arguing that even though Green led his team in assists during their championship runs, he was not truly the point guard.
“So Draymond (Green) was the point guard on the teams he won with because he led the team in assists? No,”
Arenas said.
This highlights a broader debate about the true definition of a point guard: Is it the player leading in assists, or is it the one controlling the offense in a traditional sense? While Green amassed plenty of assists, Steph Curry was widely recognized as the Warriors’ lead playmaker and offensive leader.
LeBron’s Playmaking Versus Traditional Point Guard Role
LeBron’s passing abilities remain indisputable—his skill in delivering precise no-look assists, threading passes through tight windows, and reading defenses is well-known. During the 2019-2020 season and playoffs, he was officially listed as the Lakers’ point guard and backed that up by winning the NBA championship and Finals MVP honors.
Arenas acknowledged the oddity of LeBron not being commonly referred to as a point guard despite leading his team in assists.
“It’s weird that they don’t label LeBron a PG even though he’s lead his team in assists,”
Arenas admitted. Johnson added,
“They started doing it though, at least in the latter stages.”
Flexibility and Future Recognition of LeBron’s Position
In today’s NBA, position flexibility allows players like LeBron James to manage offensive point guard duties while defending multiple positions on the floor. Even if he never gains widespread recognition as a point guard, his ability to fulfill the role on offense cannot be denied. The debate sparked by Arenas and Johnson underlines how evolving basketball roles challenge traditional labels.
Understanding these nuances is important when discussing players like LeBron and Draymond Green, as it shapes how fans and analysts view team dynamics and player contributions beyond simple position titles.