Who is the Next Face of the NBA?
Bryant and James dueled for the right to be the face of the league for many years before James made it his own. Credit: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Every era has that player that is the shining star of the league, starting in the modern era of basketball. In the 80s there was Magic Johnson, in the 90s it was Michael Jordan, in the 2000s it was Kobe Bryant, in the 2010s it was Lebron James, and now as we are headed to the 2020s where will the new face of the league emerge is the question going forward.
Some players overlap others in their greatness so where they take a back seat because they played in the same time frame. For example Kobe and Lebron, Lebron didn't receive the attention he has now until later until his career as Kobe got older and moved towards retirement. The same could be said about Kevin Durant as most didn't see him on par with Lebron until recently when he won his two championships in Golden State.
Now as Lebron is heading into year 19 of his career it’s getting to a point where the new face of the league might not even be wearing an NBA jersey currently.
Many believe Zion Williamson is the next face of the NBA due to his dazzling style of play. Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images
To take into account what the face of the league takes you'd have to look at box office appeal, star power, and of course on-the-court play. The closest we have to that currently would most likely be Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. As he checks all the boxes but there seems to be something missing there to have the hold over the league as the players mentioned above.
Ironically the two most iconic figures that ever played the game never touched the floor at the same time. As Jordan retired from the league the season James was drafted. There could be the same thing going on here as many have thought the next up-and-coming biggest name was here then flamed out. Andrew Wiggins was thought to be the next Lebron before Zion as they are only a couple of years in age from each other.
Mahomes (15) slid into the “face of the league” role very quickly, this has not happened in the NBA yet. Credit: David Eulitt/Getty Images
When Jordan retired from the league the ratings dropped he retired three times and every time the league lost fan attraction as every league needed a star or team for fans to gravitate to. In college football it is Alabama. Everyone wants to see what happens with them every season. In the NFL it's Tom Brady but more recently it has been the new wave of quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes that has taken the fame and maybe become the face of the league. In golf, it was Tiger Woods that made the stage for the sports.
Depending on how long Lebron stays in the league the next ‘him’ could very well enter the league when he departs and have the league on his back to carry it ratings-wise and for entertainment value.