[Lotto StudParticipant]

I say by the time LeBron hangs it up, he’ll probably be around 38. But, more than likely, I see it being a younger guy as the face like Ben Simmons.

Who do you think becomes the face of the NBA, after LeBron calls it quits?

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

Embiid has that superstar quality, both in terms of skills and personality. Kind of like shaq in a way. If he stays healthy he can definitely be one of the torch bearers for the next generation. Not sure if it will necessarily be just one player though. 

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

Greek Freak. By the time Lebron is 38 and retires hypothetically, Giannis will be around 28-29 and just entering his prime. 

 

 

 

 

 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

LBJ seems to be grooming him now as a matter of fact

[BallerScriptParticipant]

I feel like Anthony Davis gets forgotton in these conversations

Giannis, Davis, Embiid, Kyrie, Booker, KAT, Porzingis are guys who are all set to be the big names around the league for years to come

KD and Leonard will still be around keeping the West ahead

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Greek Freak: something Dr. J-like about him. Not an MJ type or the Next LeBron. 

Kyrie. Lonzo. Maybe somebody in this class or next year’s: Porter, Bagley, Ayton, Young, Doncic, Zion, Bol Bol…

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 What if LaVar has a masterplan in Lithuania to genetically engineer a fourth ball brother to take over the NBA?!?

Just a joke people but seriously I don’t think we’ll see a superstar like LeBron for a while

 

 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

Face of the NBA throughout the Decades…

60’s (Russell and Chamberlain, two Centers)

70’s (Dr J and Kareem, a SF and C)

80’s (Magic and Bird, a PG and SF)

90’s (MJ, strangle hold SG)

00’s (Iverson?Kobe?Shaq?Duncan? This was "By Comity" decade where a case could be made AI was the Rockstar of the decade throughout the 2000’s but got over shadowes by Kobe and Shaq in LA and TD in San Antonio…(2 SG’s and 2 C’s)

10’s (LBJ, James as had the NBA on lockdown, he’s another SF)

Throughout the last 6 decades we’ve had 5 Center’s who could be seen as the face of NBA excellence (Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Shaq and Duncan, who could be seen as a PF)

We’ve also had 3 SF’s (Dr.J, Larry Bird and Lebron)

And 3 SG’s (Jordan, Bryant and Iverson)

And the 1 Lone PG in Magic, yes Jerry West was the face of the NBA in the early 60’s even earning himself the Nickname The Logo, but the Stardom of Russell and Wilt trumped his own…

History would tell me to pick a Center or Wing (SG or SF)

So Embiid, Towns, Davis and Cousins could fill that role, outta those 4 Embiid has that IT factor IMO

Than we’ve got Wings like Durant, Giannis and Simmons who could fill in the SF spot

Curry and Irving and Westbrook could all fill the PG role but will they all be playing for another decade? IDK

I’m going Embiid, Simmons or Giannis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dmo21Participant]

I kind of followed the science route too, as well as using the players you listed as faces of the NBA throughout the years. There seems to be about 6 years of age difference between passing of the guard between major changes (Kareem to Dr. J is a minor change while Dr. J to Larry Bird is a minor change). The only age difference greater than 6 years was MJ to Shaq (I don’t really count Duncan as a face of the NBA due to his quiet nature and lack of "fame"). MJ is the majority GOAT for people, with LeBron becoming in that converstation. I feel Lebron is more comparable to MJ in this instance due to their longevity as the face of the NBA, so I would say the next face of the NBA would be 9-10 years younger than Lebron. I feel like this could be Embiid if he stays healthy as he has the skills and the character to be this.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

For those who favor the current active stars… Think about it, Curry, Harden, and Durant will be at least 32+ by the time LeBron leaves, meaning they will be on the decline.

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 Yeah keep in mind Durant and Curry are like only 3 years younger than Lebron.. Lebron is so durable that they all could decline at the same time too xD

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 The GUY: Mikan. Petit. Cousy (and Baylor). Russell (and West). Wilt. Kareem. Dr. J, although he started in the ABA. Magic/Bird. MJ. Shaq (and Kobe). LeBron (still Kobe). Durant (and Westbrook still LeBron). Steph (KD/Russ/Bron).

Next up: big? Small? Freakish wing?  

Based on this you can go with Embiid. Although Anthony Davis is a bad man — especially if he goes to the Lakers. New bigs: Bamba/Ayton/Bol Bol. Porzingas: overhyped for being in NYC. Could be this era’s Ewing.  Wings: Giannis. Checks the boxes. Porter Jr. as the next gen KD. Smalls: Lonzo, Ben Simmons ok they are big lead guards. Trae Young as the small guy torch bearer like a Cousy, West, or Steph.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^

Or, either era has a dominant small guy, a dominant wing, and a larger than life big man — just depends which of these three mega superstars is the Mega Alpha.

New new guys: ok, AD is the modern Kareem, which has been my comp for a while although Embiid is gaining… Giannis: only "sleeper" MVP candidate with a shot to win it, possibly 2nd right now or third behind Harden and LeBron. I can see Greek Freak getting a couple of MVP awards.  Guard: Ben Simmons, Lonzo, new gen guys, although DeRozan might be the next athletic "power" type guard. Kawhi if he gets healthy.  It could be Trae Young, you never know, although I am not a huge Trae guy.  Maybe the era of Super Small Ball is OVER.  Maybe there is not a NEW uber star "little" guy but we are doing just fine with the "small" Big Three of Harden, Steph, and Westbrook.

So maybe the next next thing isn’t Smalls. Or, ultra wings. Maybe it’s just LeBron riding into the sunset, KD at his peak, Gianni’s surging, Porter/Kuzma/Tatum as the "next oversized wings". DeRozan, more than a one year wonder? Klay aka Video Game Reggie Miller. Kawhi. Maybe we don’t get more than that…

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Giannis would be my frontrunner.

A sleeper to me would be Simmons.

[Author]

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