- Gil’s Arena’s latest episode had quite a few bold takes
- Arenas believed Ja Morant would make the starting five over Stephen Curry
- The Wizards’ star believed sneaker deals play a huge role in player selections
The latest episode of Gilbert Arenas’ podcast saw the former Washington Wizard make a bold claim about Ja Morant starting over Stephen Curry in the 2024 Olympics. And it’s because of their shoe deals.
Gil’s Arena’s latest chapter was all about the USA’s FIBA 2023 World Cup run so far, and in his take about Anthony Edwards coming off the bench, Arenas felt it had to do with his shoe sponsor. With Nike sponsoring Team USA, Arenas believed the brand wanted the five starters on the court to wear Nike, as opposed to a different brand.
To which the discussion drifted to whether Curry would come off the bench in the next year’s Olympics because he is an Under Armour athlete.
“Yeah, they will bring him off the bench. They will try. They’ll put Ja Morant in front. Let’s take it out of basketball… and say this is your company. This is your shoe brand, this is who you’re promoting. Would you promote Steph Under Armour, or Ja Morant Nike, if you’re Nike?”
[Starts 1:55 onwards]
This surely comes as a bold statement, and a bit controversial. Nike has continued to stand by Morant even after he was suspended for 25 games for the next season following his gun-flashing incident. And for Arenas, that meant the still-sponsored Nike athlete will take the floor over Curry.
Should Curry indeed take part in the 2024 Olympics, there’s no doubt that he would start. Some of the best of the best make the cut to represent the country, and while Morant is a rising phenom, the side would definitely not relegate Curry to the bench, even if he rocks those Curry Flow 10s.
Gilbert Arenas Has Had His Share Of Slamming Team USA
Not for the first time has Arenas been one to take it easy on Team USA that’s set to play the 2023 FIBA World Cup. From team selections to grading the exhibition games, Arenas has been taking shots at the roster.
And while on the topic of sneakers, he even went as far as saying Trae Young’s exclusion from the side was due to his Adidas contract.
“It’s that sorry a** other brand! It’s that other brand! It’s that other brand, man! They are doing too MFing much!”
For now, the focus is on a young and dynamic team led by Steve Kerr. There are some promising names on the squad, and how they fare and play a role in the USA maintaining its basketball dominance remains to be seen.
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