Inside The Wizards

Wizards Legend Names Next Shaq and Kobe Duo

A former member of the Washington Wizards has high praise for a rising pair.

Jeremy Brener

December 14, 2010; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas (9) talks to an official against the Los Angeles Lakers at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
December 14, 2010; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas (9) talks to an official against the Los Angeles Lakers at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Former Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas may not be playing on the court anymore, but he still has a lot to say about it on his podcast "Gil's Arena."

Arenas sounds off on his opinions and bold takes, and he had one regarding New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, comparing them to one of the great duos of his generation.

"I'm going to say it: I think KAT should be the No. 1 option," Arenas said h/t KnicksMuse. "I think it would take a lot of pressure off of Brunson carrying the team. It's like the Shaq/Kobe style: Shaq is option one in [periods] one through three. Five, six minutes left, it goes to Kobe.

"I think that's what this one should be. We're going to use Towns, as long as he's getting it rolling, use him. I'll find my way, keep myself involved, but a majority of the shots is going to go to him and then in the last four, five minutes, [Brunson] gets to take over."

Comparing Brunson and Towns to Kobe and Shaq is a lofty comparison and quite the compliment. Many will remember Kobe and Shaq for winning three championships together from 2000-02, and they still remain the last franchise to win three consecutive NBA Finals.

Brunson and Towns are a new duo, having linked up in September after the latter was traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two played well against the Wizards on Monday, combining for 50 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists in a blowout win. If they are able to keep that trajectory for the rest of the season, they still might not reach Kobe and Shaq levels, but they could be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, if not the league.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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