Gilbert Arenas went viral on Thursday thanks to his bizarre take on who in the NBA qualifies as a superstar.
Arenas drew blowback for arguing that New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson does not qualify as a superstar. Arenas’ rationale for that take is that no one is rushing out to buy Brunson’s signature shoe.
“He could be,” Arenas said of Brunson during a live edition of the “Gil’s Arena” podcast at Fanatics Fest. “You got the Jalen Brunson shoes? Did you go get the new Jalen Brunson shoes? He don’t have ’em, right? (Steph Curry) sold $50 million in jerseys the days they released it. That is a superstar.”
Gilbert Arenas says Jalen Brunson is NOT a superstar:
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 23, 2026
“No, but he could be. You got the Jalen Brunson shoes? Did you go get the new Jalen Brunson shoes?”
(Via @GilsArenaShow) pic.twitter.com/2fmGJgeHo0
Not only was Arenas heckled by the live audience, but many social media users pointed out the ridiculous standards Arenas was setting and dismissed his comments as engagement bait.
Gil came ready to bait for engagement
— Inside The Arc (@insidethearc__) July 23, 2026
According to Gil’s logic, Jokic wasn’t a superstar until he got his own shoe and was a top 10 selling jersey. Both of which came immediately after winning the championship lol
— Bryce Harper’s Prime (@aphillyspecial) July 23, 2026
Brunson did have the opportunity to get a Nike signature shoe. He declined, however, because he simply prefers to wear Kobes for the rest of his career.
Jalen Brunson prefers wearing Kobes for the rest of his career over a signature shoe with Nike 😳
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) January 26, 2026
via: @Uninstructed718 🎥: @ChristinaFaith pic.twitter.com/yrQPwPlSFt
Even if that was not the case, Arenas’ argument is ridiculous. Victor Wembanyama does not yet have his own shoe line, but Austin Reaves does. Nobody would ever argue that Reaves is more of a superstar than Wembanyama is.
Ultimately, Arenas is not the first to doubt Brunson’s star power. Brunson has made it pretty clear that he doesn’t care, and keeps proving those critics wrong.
