Media

Rudy Gobert says LeBron James is the ‘most criticized player of our generation’

Published by
Ryan Ward

At 36, LeBron James is still among the elite players in the NBA while making a strong case for MVP once again as the Los Angeles Lakers’ undisputed leader.

James’ longevity and ability to curb constant criticism haven’t gone unnoticed by his peers.

Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz are going with a different approach this season, resulting in an impressive run to the top of the Western Conference.

Gobert spoke with Sam Amick of The Athletic and mentioned James’ remarkable ability to ignore the noise.

“The better you get, the more people talk and the more people are either going to praise you or adopt you or criticize you, so I kind of started to embrace it and take every kind of criticism as, in a way, a compliment,” the 28-year-old Gobert explained in our phone discussion late last week. “I mean, look at LeBron. He was actually the most criticized player of our generation, and he’s the one who has accomplished the most.”

The Jazz center is right on the money when talking about James and how the Lakers superstar is arguably the most criticized player of their generation.

A case could be made that James is the most criticized athlete of all time.

Despite all the criticism and outside noise James has had to deal with, he’s still going strong at 36 years old.

He’s coming off his fourth NBA title while working on another as leader of a team that many believe is the best all-around squad in the league right now.

Ryan Ward

Ryan is a veteran sportswriter who has covered the NBA and NFL for nearly a decade. Along with numerous exclusive interviews with professional athletes, Ryan has been credentialed by the Los Angeles Lakers since 2011. Follow him on Twitter @RyanWardLA.

Published by
Ryan Ward

Recent Posts

LeBron James goes full UNC as he chastises OKC Thunder kid behind Lakers bench

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping they haven't met their match in the second round…

May 8, 2026

Ric Flair continues to take shots at Luka Doncic while praising LeBron James

Ric Flair praised Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James on social media on Thursday while…

May 7, 2026

Emmanuel Acho eviscerates Austin Reaves after Game 1: ‘In the playoffs, [he] goes ghost’

Emmanuel Acho did not hold back when discussing Austin Reaves’ performance in Game 1 of…

May 6, 2026

Rich Paul: NBA players tell kids not to sign with Klutch because they hate LeBron

Prominent sports agent and founder of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul has close ties to…

May 5, 2026

JJ Redick gives Lakers brutal reality check vs. Thunder: ‘They don’t foul’

The Los Angeles Lakers took care of business in the first round of the playoffs…

May 4, 2026

Shaq criticizes Lakers for playing ‘hero ball’ in Game 5 loss: ‘I’m super disappointed’

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal was critical of the team following L.A.’s Game 5…

April 30, 2026