If you’ve been keeping up with NBA commentary from the likes of Stephen A. Smith and his cohorts over at ESPN, you’ll be well aware of the discourse surrounding who should be the “face” of the NBA. A silly conversation, if I’m honest, but it’s one that stirs the pot and creates drama—unnecessarily so, but hey, that’s sports media for you. 

For whatever reason, ESPN, particularly Stephen A., has been hellbent on having Anthony Edwards take that mantle (though, he’s likely backpeddling on that as we speak, given OKC’s domination over the Timberwolves). I’m sure much of this is because of how much Ant reminds us of the great Michael Jeffery Jordan. From his physique to the way he moves on the court to his persona, the similarities are, admittedly, at times uncanny. But even if Ant’s got all the makings of a superstar that can be the face of this league, he’s not Jordan, and his performance against the current MVP this past week was very non-Jordan-esque.

Speaking of which, I agree wholeheartedly with Chuck when he says that you can’t give that title to people; they have to take it. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it. Jokic may not want it and would much rather be with his horses in Serbia, but the man is undoubtedly more so in the conversation of being this league’s “face” than Edwards. As is the two-time MVP and Champion, Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

However, in my opinion, none of these dudes are the “face of the NBA.” Because that position is already filled and has been for over a decade, by two players: LeBron Raymone James Sr and Wardell Stephen Curry II. When speaking about the “face of the NBA,” you have to see the league through a global lens. Show a picture of Ant to a random person on the streets of Tokyo or Rio and ask if they know him. Most likely, they won’t. Do the same for Shai, Jokic, and Giannis, and you may get a few more nods, but I would venture to guess it won’t be a majority. Now do the same with LeBron and Curry. Those are the faces of the league. The two superstars who have been making history for over ten years. The two who met in The Finals for four years in a row and gave us one of the most memorable rivalries and Game 7s of all time. The man who’s widely considered in the top three, if not two, players of all time and the guy who changed the way modern basketball is played; these two are the faces of the NBA. 

It’s not just because of their past greatness, either. LeBron and Steph are still playing at an incredibly high level. When their teams are in the Playoffs, we still consider them to be contenders; many delusional folks even consider them favourites—I should know, I’m one of them. And, lest we forget, it was only last year that these two teamed up to help Team USA win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

For as much as the NBA media wants a new face for their league, the fact of the matter is that Steph and LeBron are on such a different plane of greatness that you won’t see a new face emerge until these two men retire. And seeing how LeBron is fighting off Father Time like Tyson against Frazier, ya’ll might be waiting a long time.