With LeBron James nearing retirement and the likes of Steph Curry and Kevin Durant already at the back end of their careers, the NBA is now at a crossroads in finding its next captain, ergo the next face of the league. While there are notable candidates who fit the bill, people are already looking at two of the best young players today: Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards. The question is, which of the two deserves that title in the near future?
Wembanyama’s Unparalleled Talent Versus Edwards’ Killer Mentality
Victor Wembanyama is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind athlete. The French big man stands at 7 feet 4 inches, but has the skill set of a guard. He was touted as the next poster boy for the Spurs, and so far, he has already exceeded expectations, both on and off the court.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards is proving why he’s one of the best scorers in the league. Currently averaging 29.5 points per game on 40% three-point shooting, Ant-Man has the Minnesota Timberwolves positioned as legitimate contenders.
From a different perspective, Wembanyama is seen as a generational talent with an unlimited ceiling, paralleled by none at this point. However, his size and play style put him in constant danger of possible injury, which could ultimately hurt his case. On the other hand, while Edwards may have a case as the best shooting guard in the NBA right now—with his scoring, defense, killer mentality, and charisma—the 2020 first overall pick has struggled in the playoffs multiple times.
Wembanyama and Edwards are both hungry for an NBA title, but their superstar status has always come with an expected downside. Although they both want to compete and win, both players have also expressed their feelings about not wanting to become the face of the league.
Such Huge Shoes to Fill
It may sound like a pleasing honor, but in reality, it’s a mix of gift and curse. In today’s society, people are quick to put players’ heads on a spike if they fail, making the “face of the NBA” a difficult role—hence why almost nobody wants to take on the mantle.
The moniker “face of the league” actually began in the ’80s, when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird unknowingly saved the NBA from imminent downfall. There were already elite players before them, but none brought mainstream popularity to the sport quite like the Showtime Lakers–Celtics rivalry between Magic and Larry Legend. For a time, both became the face of the NBA. Then came Michael Jordan, who dominated the 1990s and was the reason many Hall of Famers retired without even reaching the Finals.
After MJ’s first retirement, a slew of stars defined the 2000s with new play styles and a completely different era: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant. However, aside from the late, great Kobe, nobody came close to what LeBron James would become. LBJ was already touted as the next big thing even before stepping foot in the league—and he delivered. LeBron became a household name across the globe and somehow changed the NBA’s landscape after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to form a Big Three in Miami. He would later be joined by Steph Curry, who undeniably changed the game in the 2010s.
The criteria may be simple: multiple MVPs, multiple championships, a winning mentality, and, of course, cultural impact.
The fans and the NBA are pushing a narrative for both Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards to become the new faces of the NBA, but with such huge shoes to fill and both players still trying to prove something in front of everyone, we might just hold off on the thought that the NBA will have its next torchbearer anytime soon.
