The NBA’s quest for its next torchbearer has been a hot topic for years. With legends LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant inching closer to the twilight of their illustrious careers, there seems to be a new debate every day about who will step into the spotlight as the next face of the league. Among the contenders, Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum has made a compelling case for himself.
Jayson Tatum’s (Not So) Bold Claim
In a candid interview with the Washington Post, Tatum expressed his sentiments, stating, “Honestly, no. If you took the name and the face away from all my accomplishments and you’re just like, ‘This is what Player A accomplished at 26,’ people would talk about [me] a lot differently.”
He went on to say, “Did he win a championship? Yes. Did he win gold medals? Yes. Was he always a part of winning seasons? Was he first-team All-NBA? Those are things that you know are hard evidence. Face of the NBA? They can always debate. But it’s like, I check off all the boxes.”
In seven full seasons, Tatum is already a six-time NBA All-Star, a three-time All-NBA First Team member, and an NBA Champion. At just 26, he’s already accomplished more than many hope to in their entire careers. Even Curry didn’t make his first All-Star team until 2014 (five years into his NBA career) and James didn’t win his first NBA Championship until 2013 (nine years into his NBA career). So, even by those lofty standards Tatum is doing pretty well.
Is Tatum Right?
More importantly, at least for this conversation, however, is that he’s accomplished more than any other NBA superstar also vying to be the face of the NBA. His biggest competition is probably Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I’ll throw Victor Wembanyama in as an honourable mention, but he’s played just two years in the NBA and the Spurs are a few losses away from being a lottery team (again).
Of these names, Jokić likely has the best argument. As a seven-time NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA first team member, three-time NBA MVP and 2023 NBA champion, his resume might be even more impressive than Tatum’s. Of course, he’s also 30 years old and doesn’t appear to show any interest in being the NBA’s central figure.
What Do the NBA Experts Think?
The debate isn’t confined to fans and analysts; former players have also weighed in. NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, known for his unfiltered opinions, has emphasized that the title of “face of the league” isn’t something bestowed but earned, bluntly stating that, “You don’t give anybody the face of the game. You take it.”
Barkley’s perspective underscores a broader sentiment: the NBA’s leading figure emerges organically, through a combination of on-court dominance, charisma, and the ability to resonate with fans worldwide. Given Jokić’s indifference towards it, and that the rest of his competition is still trying to catch up, Tatum has a golden opportunity to go out there and, as Barkley would say, “Take It.”
