Gilbert Arenas opens up about why Michael Jordan was never his favorite player growing up
Most kids growing up in the '90s worshipped Michael Jordan—but not Gilbert Arenas. Despite being raised in a Bulls-loving home and forced to watch every MJ game, his heart latched onto a different star, Penny Hardaway.
One highlight reel, one jersey number change, and Arenas was all in. His story proves that sometimes, your true basketball hero isn't the one with the rings—but the one who made you feel something.
How Penny Hardaway's High‑School Highlights Stole Arenas' Fan Heart
Gilbert Arenas shares that while his dad insisted he watch all the Chicago Bulls games—complete with the
Michael Jordan
craze—his genuine love for basketball originated from a different source. After he caught Penny Hardaway's thrilling high school highlights leading up to the 1993 NBA Draft, he was completely hooked.
Arenas recalls, 'My first favorite player was Penny Hardaway… I changed my number to 25 in high school' as a nod to his idol. That one gesture laid the groundwork for his lifelong devotion.
GILBERT ARENAS EXPOSES HIMSELF AS THE ULTIMATE GLAZER
In a world where most were mesmerized by Jordan's six NBA titles, Arenas felt a subtle pull towards Hardaway's Magic—their speed, skill, and style made a stronger impression than Jordan's honors.
This passion wasn't just a phase. During high school, Arenas would get into debates with his classmates to champion Hardaway as the better player and purposefully selected #25—the number Penny wore while playing for the Orlando Magic.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
It wasn't a lack of understanding about how great Jordan was. Arenas admired him—his father had even filled their house with Bulls memorabilia—but emotions won out over the accolades. 'Michael Jordan was not my favorite player… but my dad forced me to watch Jordan all day'.
This tug-of-war between responsibility and enthusiasm uncovers a significant truth: the first fandoms we create aren't always driven by numbers or victories—they're shaped by intuition and individual bonds.
Gilbert Arenas took that early motivation and turned it into results: while at Arizona, he snagged First-Team All-Pac‑10 honors in 2001 and capped off his sophomore year by guiding the Wildcats to the NCAA Championship game. He was picked 31st overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2001, and he climbed the ranks to become the NBA Most Improved Player in 2003, eventually becoming a three-time All-Star with Washington.
During his career, Arenas embodied Penny's style—quick guard moves, bold scoring, and a game that was all about creativity and confidence. His personal motto? Go with what inspires you, not what conforms to expectations.
Also Read:
Memphis Grizzlies make a sneaky trade on Sunday that could change their defensive outlook
The story of Gilbert Arenas highlights how fandom can be irrational—and that's part of its charm. Even though Michael Jordan was a global superstar, it was the style of Penny Hardaway that caught the eye of a young kid, not the championships.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match
here.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Naga Vamsi asks why Vijay Deverakonda is being targeted for everything he says: ‘He's already down because his films aren't working'
Fans eagerly await the release of Vijay Deverakonda 's 'Kingdom' after the actor faced a series of setbacks with his films over the past few years. His last release, Family Star, received negative reviews on social media, and the actor's team claimed that a targeted negativity campaign affected the film's success. Producer Naga Vamsi has now stepped forward in defence of Deverakonda amid the growing criticism surrounding him. Naga Vamsi defends Vijay Deverakonda amid backlash over controversial remarks In a conversation with Gulte, Vamsi expressed concern over what he believes is a deliberate attempt to target Vijay Deverakonda. The producer remarked that the public perception of Vijay starkly contrasts with the person he knows personally. 'I don't even know why Vijay is being targeted. He's already down because his films aren't working,' Vamsi said. Rashmika Mandanna Cheers for Vijay Deverakonda as he Drops 'Kingdom' Teaser The controversy Vamsi refers to centres around comments made by Vijay during the pre-release event of Suriya's recent film Retro. The actor's remarks comparing Adivasis to terrorists resulted in legal trouble under the SC/ST Act. Vamsi says public perception of Vijay is far from reality Vamsi did not shy away from acknowledging that Vijay has been outspoken in the past but insisted that this has led to unfair judgement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'I agree he used to say something or the other when he was younger. He's the most misunderstood person. You meet him off camera, you'll wonder if it's the same person embroiled in controversy,' he shared. He further expressed disappointment over the lack of empathy shown towards the Arjun Reddy actor and questioned why there is always a need to criticise him for everything. Vijay Deverakonda's upcoming movies On the work front, Deverakonda is gearing up for the release of Kingdom, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri . The action-packed spy drama stars Satyadev and Bhagyashri Borse in key roles. Music for the film is composed by Anirudh Ravichander , and it is set to hit screens on July 31.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 update shared by director Kabir Khan; reveals details about script
A decade after the release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, one of Bollywood's most beloved films, director Kabir Khan has confirmed that discussions are actively taking place regarding a potential sequel. While excitement among fans continues to grow, both Kabir and Salman Khan remain cautious, prioritising a powerful script over commercial motivations. Kabir Khan revealed in an interview with Pinkvilla that he and Salman have been engaging in frequent conversations about various story ideas, including a follow-up to Bajrangi Bhaijaan. However, he clarified that the decision to move forward with Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 would not be influenced by public demand or box office prospects. Their shared view is that the sequel must offer something equally meaningful and emotionally resonant as the original, which struck a chord with audiences worldwide. No Rush to Capitalise on Film's Legacy Addressing the growing speculation around the sequel, Kabir stated that he has never leaned into the trend of making sequels and does not intend to approach Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 as just another franchise opportunity. He admitted that while there is immense potential for joy in returning to that world, it has to be done for the right reasons. The goal, according to him, is not to chase numbers but to honour the heart and soul of the original film. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Kabir also acknowledged the risk of tarnishing the legacy of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which is often hailed as one of the most emotionally impactful films of recent times. For that reason, he and Salman are committed to waiting until they discover a story that holds the same depth and power. What Could the Sequel Explore? While no script has been locked yet, Kabir hinted at possibilities such as a new journey for Salman Khan's character Pawan or even an evolution in the story of Chand Nawab, originally played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Themes like cross-border friendship, human connection, and faith—core to the original—are expected to remain central if a sequel is made. Some fans have speculated about revisiting Munni, the mute girl from Pakistan, possibly as a teenager. A Strong Collaborative History Kabir Khan and Salman Khan have previously collaborated on Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), and Tubelight (2017). Although their past work has seen varying degrees of success, Kabir has consistently acknowledged Salman's significant influence on his career. Despite Tubelight receiving mixed reviews, their partnership remains strong. Most recently, Kabir directed Chandu Champion, featuring Kartik Aaryan, which performed moderately well at the box office. Currently, he is exploring multiple concepts, any of which could become his next directorial venture. As Bajrangi Bhaijaan approaches its 10th anniversary on July 17, fans are hopeful for a sequel. But Kabir Khan remains firm that the film will only be made if the right story comes along—even if that takes a year or more.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Laughter Chefs 2: After Vicky Jain, Krushna Abhishek jokingly calls Hina Khan's husband Rocky Jaiswal 'Nepo-pati'; says 'industry ko dusra nepo-pati mubaarak ho'
Laughter Chefs Season 2 has been delivering fun-filled and engaging episodes, leaving audiences wanting more. The show will soon be wrapping up to make way for a new reality show, Pati Patni Aur Panga which will air from August 2, 2025. The Laughter Chefs season 2 cast recently welcomed newlyweds Hina Khan and Rocky Jaiswal, who will be seen in the show as one of the celebrity jodis. The popular couple appeared on the show over the weekend. One of the videos doing the rounds on social media from the weekend episode, shows Krushna Abhishek cracking a hilarious punch on Hina's husband Rocky. He hilariously introduces Rocky to everyone calling him 'nepo-pati', a title which was earlier earned by Vicky Jain on the show. In the video, Krushna asks Vicky to join Rocky and he says, "Ye humare show ke nepo-pati hai, industry ko dusra nepo-pati mubaarak ho." Both Hina and Rocky burst into laughter. Earlier while talking about the experience of being on the show, Hina Khan shared, 'I absolutely loved getting the newlywed pampering on the Laughter Chefs set; it packed all the just-married energy I signed up for. This show has such a fun vibe with many big-hearted moments peppered into it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo No wonder it is such a hit with the viewers! There's no better way to return to the channel than with Rocky by my side, right after this beautiful new chapter in my life. " Pati Patni Aur Panga will be hosted by Sonali Bendre and Munawar Faruqui and will feature popular real-life jodis. The show, which has already created a stir thanks to its star-studded contestant lineup and quirky theme, is all set to hit TV screens on August 2, 2025. The reality show features six celebrity couples: Hina Khan and Rocky Jaiswal, Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Choudhary, Sudesh Lehri and Mamta Lehri, Swara Bhasker and Fahad Ahmad, Geetika Phogat and Pawan Kumar, Avika Gor and Milind Chandwani. Stars Spotted on Laughter Chefs
