The NBA has seen many faces of the league over the years. From the era of domination by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to the rise of Michael Jordan all the way to the last decade-plus of LeBron James and Stephen Curry being the two most marketable players, the face of the league is always a topic.
Recently, the topic came up again, and several people chimed in, giving their takes. Two people who seem to stand on opposite sides of the coin are James and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
Stephen A. Smith Doesn’t Appreciate LeBron James’ ‘Face of the NBA’ Take
Following Anthony Edwards’ comments that he doesn’t strive to be the face of the NBA, James seemed to back up his statement, as he commented on the matter after the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Channing Frye said it the other day too … ‘Why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s*** on everybody?'” James said. ”
LeBron on Anthony Edwards’ statement at All-Star that he isn’t striving to become the face of the NBA: “Channing Frye said it … ‘Why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s— on everybody?’” pic.twitter.com/dNHHrzWRiT
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 28, 2025
“Ant saying he don’t want it — I mean, obviously I didn’t ask for it. … I feel Ant. I understand,” James finished.
James was blunt in his statement, but some didn’t agree with his assessment and offered critiques. Smith, while on “First Take,” directly went back at James and his thoughts.
“It’s some straight BS,” Smith said. “I’m not saying everything that he said was BS cause I understand there’s an enormous amount of pressure … when it comes to being the face of the league.”
.@stephenasmith says he "doesn't appreciate" LeBron's comments on Anthony Edwards becoming the face of the league 👀 pic.twitter.com/EZjDrxZxcg
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 28, 2025
“But I don’t appreciate what he said. … Listen, let’s understand what the backdrop of all this is. This is fresh off of All-Star weekend,” Smith said. “An All-Star weekend that LeBron James elected to show up for and not participate in.”
Smith made note of James’ lack of participation in the recent All-Star weekend as well as the way James elected to show up the day of the All-Star Game and give last-minute word that he would be sitting out.
Smith also refuted the notion that all of the coverage is negative, implying that some players, including James, are not pleased unless everything you say about them is positive.
“No matter what, we sit up there and it doesn’t matter,” Smith said. “We could sit up there and say something smells like perfume, they’ll accuse us of saying it’s passing gas. No matter what we say about these players, it’s always something for them to complain about.”
Is There Validity in Both Smith and James’ Points?
James did make a valid point about the criticism, while Smith also has a fair point. James is correct that there is a lot of negativity from fans and the media, but criticism will always exist with any sport.
Smith presents a valid point in that players tend to take everything as negative criticism, as we’ve seen players fire back through the media or on their own social media accounts. The reality is somewhere in the middle.
The media definitely can improve on its coverage and how it structures its criticism, while players have to be mindful of their actions that sometimes warrant valid criticism.
So, if Edwards says he doesn’t strive to be the face of the league and James stands by his statement, who will step up to take the mantle next?
