"He is what everybody wants to be, you ain’t LeBron, you ain’t Magic" - Gilbert Arenas labels Kobe Bryant as the ‘American Hero’

“He is what everybody wants to be, you ain’t LeBron, you ain’t Magic” – Gilbert Arenas labels Kobe Bryant as the ‘American Hero’ originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Even though Kobe Bryant is one of the most consistently mentioned members in the GOAT conversation, he is often labeled as the second coming of Michael Jordan. With such critics trying to downplay the legend of the ‘Black Mamba’ in one way or another, Gilbert Arenas eventually had enough of this disrespect.

As a result, on a recent occasion, ‘Agent Zero’ explained why the American audience sees Kobe as nothing short of a hero and why his journey is perhaps the most relatable among all GOAT candidates.

Arenas explains why Kobe is the ‘American Hero’

Kobe had to claw his way up, unlike other GOAT candidates like LeBron James, who entered the NBA with considerable hype and was the overall No. 1 pick in his respective draft class. From the moment LBJ stepped foot into the league, he was expected to be the focal point and savior for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kobe’s path, however, couldn’t have been more different. Drafted 13th overall in the 1996 draft class, he was never a guaranteed star. Even though the Lakers saw something special in him and decided to acquire him on draft night from the Charlotte Hornets, he wasn’t handed a starting spot; instead, he had to earn it.

And even as he blossomed into a rising star, he never got the limelight he deserved, as Shaquille O’Neal’s dominance was enough to take the credit off him for leading the Lakers to a three-peat.

This is precisely what Arenas highlighted: KB24’s story resonated more with the audience than any other player in the GOAT debate. Fans connected to Kobe because he repeatedly had to prove his worth, fight uphill battles, and defy expectations. That is why, to millions, he isn’t just a regular five-time NBA Champion, but a symbol of hard work and belief.

“If you don’t know where Kobe started, you can’t f—king appreciate where he is now. That’s the problem, you wanna make him 1B. Don’t even realize that this man right here is the American Hero. He is what everybody wants to be. When you come from any other country over here trying to live the American dream, you ain’t LeBron James, you ain’t Magic, you ain’t Shaq. That’s not the idea for you,” Arenas said. “It’s Kobe Bryant, the only top 10-20 player ever in the history of basketball to come off the bench for two years and even rank that high.”

Kobe Bryant always had to prove a lot

If Kobe had never led the Lakers to two championships as the undisputed leader, his legacy might not be held in such high regard. But he knew exactly what was at stake and embraced the grind to earn his place in NBA history.

So while it seems convenient to label Kobe as ‘MJ 2.0,’ what often gets overlooked is how he kept proving himself, repeatedly, just to be recognized. And that relentless drive, that hunger to earn, is exactly what makes Bryant a deserving top member of the GOAT debate.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.

“He is what everybody wants to be, you ain’t LeBron, you ain’t Magic” – Gilbert Arenas labels Kobe Bryant as the ‘American Hero’

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