Gilbert Arenas defends LeBron James and doesn’t buy Mario Chalmers’ ‘nobody fears Bron’ comment

The notion that LeBron James isn't feared by opponents was recently made by his former teammate Mario Chalmers. But not many are buying the idea, including former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, who defended the four-time champion.

When asked why James wasn't feared the same way Michael Jordan or the other great players were, Arenas said that, due to differences in playing style, James isn't feared the same way other great scorers were.

"You can't use that as a negative against LeBron and say, 'Everyone feared Jordan, and that's why he's better than LeBron.'" James said.

"The fear comes from what that person's capability is. As an offensive player, the capability of what Jordan's going to do if you're not on point, that's where the fear came in at. So, Michael Jordan was feared, Allen Iverson was feared, Kobe (Bryant) was feared. Guys who have the ability to score 30 to d**n 70 points, they're feared.

"LeBron James was an all-around player. Even though he gave you 40, it wasn't the same 40, versus someone like an Allen Iverson or a Kobe or a Michael Jordan."

Comparing James' style of play to that of Bryant, Iverson and Jordan is unfair. The three players are offensive juggernauts. While James, the NBA's all-time scoring king, has that same capability, he also gets his entire team involved rather than doing most of the scoring by himself.

You might also be interested in reading: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and other NBA stars mourn the death of Knicks legend Willis Reed - "Rest in Power, Captain"

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Can LeBron James return to the lineup and save the LA Lakers' season?

New York Knicks vs. LA Lakers

LeBron James has missed multiple games due to a foot injury. In the meantime, LA Lakers' season is looking precarious. The Lakers (35-37) could miss the postseason for the second consecutive year (and third time in five seasons with James).

The Lakers are 6-5 since James' injury on Feb. 26. They are 2-3 in their last five games. That has been the cause of their downfall this season. Without their best player on the floor, the Lakers have been a subpar team. Although their record is better than last season's dismal 33-49 mark, they have yet to recover from a 2-10 start this season, never yet reaching .500.

They're 11th in the Western Conference. If the season ended Tuesday, the Lakers would not make the play-in tournament. Still, Los Angeles is a half-game out of play-in contention and 1.5 games behind the sixth-place Golden State Warriors (37-36), who hold the last playoff spot.

There is no update on when James will return. But there's less than four weeks left until the end of the season, and the margin to make the playoffs is slim.