Who will be the new face of the NBA? Adam Silver has the answer
From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Victor Wembanyama, the race to become the NBA’s next face is wide open. But for Adam Silver, only one thing truly matters: winning
Every time a new superstar breaks through, the same question comes up: who will be the next face of the NBA after LeBron James? Some point to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, others to Victor Wembanyama, while others believe Anthony Edwards or Luka Doncic is next in line.
For Adam Silver, however, the answer is much simpler than it seems: it won’t be the NBA making that decision.
Adam Silver: “The face of the NBA isn’t chosen in a boardroom”
The commissioner explained that no one in the league office decides who should represent the NBA. That role has to be earned.
We’re not the ones in the league office creating these faces. They earn it on the court
Adam Silver
Silver then pointed to a few examples, starting with last season’s MVP.
Shai is our MVP. He was the league’s leading scorer this year. LeBron is one of the faces of the league. Before him it was Michael Jordan, then Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. Why? Because they won
Adam Silver
The message is clear: putting up great numbers helps, but winning and capturing championships are what truly make the difference.
Being MVP isn’t enough
According to Silver, becoming the symbol of the NBA requires more than just elite statistics.
Sports are about competition. It’s about winning
Adam Silver
That’s why he has no intention of naming LeBron’s successor today.
I’m not here to tell you who the next face of the league will be. It will be the player who proves he deserves it on the court
Adam Silver
The torch is there, but it has to be earned
For Silver, the next generation has a tremendous opportunity in front of it – but also a major challenge.
The next generation wants to take that torch… and that’s where the real competition begins
Adam Silver
His final message was direct and left little room for interpretation.
They have to earn it. They have to prove they deserve to be the face of the NBA
Adam Silver
In short, there will be no official passing of the torch from LeBron James – who, in the meantime, continues to move millions of dollars – to another player. The next face of the NBA will emerge naturally, just as it did with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron and Steph Curry: by winning, dominating and delivering when it matters most.