Ever since the NBA’s inception, there has always been a player who has encapsulated the hearts and minds of the fans to such a degree that he becomes the “face” of the league. When you’re the face of the league, you have the honor of having people look at you and say “he’s basketball”.
I haven’t been on earth for that long but from my knowledge, Wilt Chamberlain was the first face of the league. I’m not too sure if Kareem-Abdul Jabbar took the torch from Wilt, but I do know he was the face of the league at one point as well. Then we got Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and most recently, Lebron James and Steph Curry (moreso Lebron James).
With Lebron aging, who is bound to take the torch from him and become the new face of the NBA? Well, I have five young stars who just might elevate their game to a point in the next couple of years where when you see their face you say, “he’s basketball”.
Giannis Antentokoumpo
It’s hard to believe that with all he’s accomplished in the NBA up this point (two league MVPs, one defensive player of the year award, and an NBA championship) that the Greek superstar is only 27. What Giannis has been proving to fans for years now is that he just keeps getting better and better, and there’s no knowing what level he might be playing at when he hits his prime years; his early 30s.
With James probably retiring when Giannis hits 31, is it safe to say that the “Greek Freak” is slated to take over the role of the “face of the NBA” for a while? I believe so. Even if he doesn’t, as a fellow Greek myself, Giannis will always be number one in our hearts.
Luka Doncic
Another European superstar, it’s easy to see why Doncic had no trouble adapting to the NBA when he first stepped into the league as an 18-year old; he was dominating the EuroLeague with Real Madrid, and even won MVP as a 17-year-old!
Doncic has electrified the league for the past 5 years, and honestly there is no telling where his celing is. If I had to bet, I’d say Doncic could hold the title of the face of the NBA the longest of anybody on this list, he’s just that damn exciting to watch.
Lamelo Ball
Another exciting player, Lamelo Ball has been a superstar in his sophomore season thus far, and is really the player that looks to be getting the youth interested in the sport of basketball again. The way the game is played has changed massively since the 90s rough and tumble “bully ball” style, as the game is now more focused on finesse, flash, and dazzling moves.
Lamelo has all of that, and then some. This young man is straight-up entertaining, and at the end of the day, that’s what the NBA is all about entertainment. With him only being 20 years of age, and showing these flashes of greatness already, I definitely think Lamelo is made for the “face” of the league.
Jayson Tatum
When Jayson Tatum is on, he’s virtually unstoppable. I’ve seen him get hot and make shots other NBA players who only dream of making. His consistency has been an issue, but if he can somehow find a way to tap into that heat he gets when he goes on a tear on a nightly basis, there’s no reason for him not to win a scoring championship and possibly be the face of the league.
Trae Young
Lights, camera, action! It seems the larger the moment, and the more on the line, the better Trae Young gets. Under pressure, the man is a god, and he shows it by dropping 40+ point performances in basketball meccas such as Madison Square Garden. I do think for him to become the face of the NBA he will need to head to a team with a larger national television presence, such as the New York Knicks.
How amazing would that be? Seeing Trae Young in a Knicks jersey, leading the boys in blue and orange out of the basement and into the playoffs with his heroics. I think you couldn’t write a better story, and if this prophecy comes true, Young’s the new face of the NBA baby!