NBA super-agent Rich Paul represents various high-profile clients, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, and Zach LaVine (among others) and he frequently speaks his mind on various NBA subjects. This week, Paul went viral for his unique take on the face of the league conversation, which he stated in an episode of the Pat McAfee show.
“There’s a responsibility and accountability that come with being a professional athlete,” said Paul. “There’s an even higher level that comes with being a star or a budding star or one of the legendary guys in the league. And I know we had that face of the league and I don’t think there’s going to be a next face of the league.”
“I think there will be a community just like there was when Jordan left in 1998, it became a community. I think we should embrace that it’s not so much naming somebody. If it becomes one face then that’s because that person earned it. But I think it comes in small-time facets.”
Over the past few decades, the NBA has revolved primarily around one or two stars at a time. From Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, the league has cycled through several leading faces, but it seems the current NBA is leaning toward a different trend.
Right now, with LeBron James and Stephen Curry as the de facto faces of the NBA, the league is approaching a major identity crisis. For the first time, the league’s biggest NBA stars are both over 35 years old and there is mounting pressure to find a young player who can step up and take their place.
The last significant gap we’ve had between the faces of the league is after Michael Jordan retired in 1998. His exit after winning his sixth title left a power vacuum at the top and while multiple players fought for his spot, none of them were able to achieve the heights that Jordan did as both a player and celebrity.
Instead, the NBA transitioned to more of a community-oriented league until Kobe Bryant’s rise to power. It wasn’t one or two stars at the top, but rather a group of stars who shared the spotlight including Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Allen Iverson.
Paul believes the NBA will return to this style in the modern NBA, but what makes it different from the late 90s and early 2000s is that the league is deeper and more talented than ever before.
Rich Paul On Why NBA Stars Shouldn’t Chase Ghosts Of The Past
No matter who steps up as the next face of the league, Rich Paul says the NBA has gotten better and wants the media to celebrate modern players instead of trying to compare them to stars from previous eras.
“Everything is different, there’s an evolution,” said Paul. “So we have to allow that to be the same in our sport. To not just judge these guys and have them chase ghosts all the time. We have great players in the league, look at the Cavs, look at what Boston’s been able to maintain and do, look at OKC, and what Shai is doing leading that team.”
“Jokic is phenomenal, and Giannis. It’s not all true that these guys couldn’t play in the 80s and 90s, that’s false. Just go back and watch, some of those guys who played in the 90s were still there when guys like LJ and others came in. They were stuck in the mud on defense, couldn’t defend him. No one ever had to face a team that was all five positions with a guy that was 6’7″ and above with an ability to dribble, pass, and shoot. I respect all those who came before, but you have to allow the guys to tell it. Cousy was great for his time, Pistol Pete was great in his time, but what would Kyrie Irving do in that time? They didn’t even make the shoes to handle the style of play from Kyrie.”
As with everything in life, people have gotten better at basketball over time. Since the NBA began in 1946, the league has evolved many times and it’s virtually unrecognizable today compared to where it was decades ago.
For Paul, the important thing for the fans and media is to celebrate this evolution and recognize that the league doesn’t need a face in order to be successful. With the players being more talented than ever before, it wouldn’t be fair to pick just one to represent the NBA.
When LeBron and Curry retire, the league will not be tied down to one or two names anymore. The burden of representing the NBA brand will be spread among all of the top players, including young stars like Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.
