If you think about it, though it can be considered gloating, he’s giving his fans limelight over himself which is actually kinda humble.
I don’t see why everyone sees him as a douche. He accepts whenever he loses whereas ash cries like a baby until he gets the badge. He learns from his mistakes whereas ash will still send out an electric type to fight a ground type. He also completed his short term goal and decided to study pokemon like his gramps. Gary motherfucking oak is just as good of a trainer as james is. and james is the very best like no one ever was.