Jayson Tatum predicted to be media scapegoat after LeBron James retirement

Originally posted on FirstSportz  |  By Joseph Varghese  |  Last updated Apr 15, 2025 11:21 AM ET

LeBron James is without a doubt one of the greatest basketball players to ever walk the planet. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is a global icon for what he does on and off the court. But at the same time, he is also the target for media members.

Time and again those in the media have brought up various reasons to criticize him. So much so that a segment does not end without a mention. Former All-Star Gilbert Arenas once pointed out that criticizing the Lakers superstar helps feed families.

They need to keep criticizing him to ensure their ratings are high. That is why the situation became that ugly between James and Stephen A. Smith. The ESPN analyst wanted to win the battle at all costs and ended up trying to openly defame James’ character.

That discourse might have ended differently, but it left no doubt on the minds of fans that LeBron James is their favorite scapegoat. The 40-year-old is nearing retirement, which brought the debate up on Gil’s Arena as to who will replace him as the next media scapegoat.

At this no moment in time, there is nobody that the NBA media actually hates or wants to go against for ratings. The only person who is at that level, that they can sit there and talk s**t about, (is Jayson Tatum). When Bron is gone and they are done whipping his a**, (Jayson Tatum) are next.

Gilbert Arenas said

His co-panelist and WNBA star Lexie Brown agreed that the media members will not give Jayson Tatum his flowers. But in the event they need him to be the scapegoat, they will lift him up just enough so that they can kick him back down.

Winning more accolades will hurt Jayson Tatum

Lexie Brown also argued that Jayson Tatum wants to become the next face of the NBA. However, since he is a part of the star-studded Boston Celtics, he has not yet differentiated him as a superstar. But if he tries to reach the next level, Brown believes it will block back in his face.

If he wins (title) and wins Finals MVP, they are gonna be like, ‘we’re tired of him’.

Lexie Brown said

The Seattle Storm star confirmed that those accolades will only hand more ammunition to those media members. They will use those accolades to cut down on his abilities and continue to criticize him for years to come.

The method is similar to how the media have criticized minor incidents in LeBron James’ career to discredit his career and GOAT claim completely. That GOAT claim is where Gilbert Arenas believes lies the actual reason for these media criticisms.

Media targets anyone trying to reach Michael Jordan’s level

The panel of Gils Arena agreed that Jayson Tatum is on the hook. The moment LeBron James retires from the game, media members will pivot to the Boston Celtics superstar. When Lexie Brown asked why this happens, Gilbert Arenas said.

Anybody that they say is the next Michael Jordan is who gets the hate.

Gilbert Arenas said

The three-time All-Star clarified that before LeBron James the media went after Kobe Bryant . That is why they blew up every single negative news about him. But as soon as it became apparent that Bryant was Michael Jordan‘s favorite, they backed off.

Around the same time, James came into the league, and they pounced on him. Arenas believes whoever calls themselves the next Michael Jordan or is remotely looking to unseat His Airness, will face the media’s wrath.