Is The NBA Ready to Pick A New Face?

Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images/ File Phot

The NBA is in search of its next face — a player to define the league for the next generation. The title isn’t handed out; it’s earned. From Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, to Michael Jordan and LeBron James, the faces of the league have always represented the very best basketball has to offer.

With the end of LeBron James’ legendary career approaching, the league is still looking for that next iconic figure. But in an era overflowing with elite talent, we may not see just one — we could be entering a time of multiple faces shaping the NBA’s future.

Here are five players making a serious case to become the new face of the league.

1. Nikola Jokic

   Nikola Jokic is without a doubt the best player in the world right now. Averaging a near 30 pt triple-double and leading his team to a dominant victory in Game 7 against the Clippers we will get to see what NBA fans have been waiting for. We get to see the two MVP candidates compete against each other. In this series Jokic is going to have to have a historic run if they want to move on to the Conference Finals.

2. Jayson Tatum

   Coming off of an NBA championship last season, the expectations were high for Jayson Tatum this year. Those expectations were not only met but they were exceeded. Tatum should be the face of the league and some fans know that but there is a reason why he isn’t. It is due to the sheer hate this man gets on a daily basis. He came into an already historic franchise and a great situation from the bat. Tatum unfortunately is going to have to prove everybody wrong for his entire career and I don’t think he will get the respect he deserves probably for a long time.

3. Luka Doncic

   The offensive juggernaut Luka Doncic was involved in the most shocking trade in American Sports history this season and it involved him being traded to a high marketer team in the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic is not only one of the league's best offensive players, he is one of the league's most feared players. When it is crunch time there are not a lot of people you would rather have than Doncic. 

4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

   The leader of the best team in the league Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is no longer a young star in this league. He is now a superstar on a team with a legitimate shot in capturing a title this year. What he’s done this season should not be overlooked as he elevates his team from one of the best teams in the league to one of the best teams of all time. SGA has arrived and with a title and an MVP potentially under his belt, there will be conversations this year that might make a lot of people uncomfortable.

5. Anthony Edwards

   The 23 year-old Anthony Edwards is one of the league’s most exciting players today. He doesn’t fear anybody and backs up all his trash talk. NBA fans have been looking for a player like Anthony Edwards ever since Kobe Bryant retired. A young star who is looking for blood and doesn’t want any handouts. In his last playoff series he defeated Lebron James and Luka Doncic. Last year he defeated both Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokic. Anthony Edwards is a legendary killer.