A 17x All-Star, 4x MVP, and 4x NBA Champion, LeBron James has had a career unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. For nearly 20 years now, he has consistently been among the league elites, proving himself as a true generational leader of the sport.
At 36-years-old, LeBron isn’t yet showing signs of stopping, but it’s a fact that he cannot play forever. As the years rage on, we grow ever closer to LeBron’s retirement, and ever closer to the end of a truly magnificent era.
This fact has a lot of folks thinking about what might come next for the NBA. Which young star today will fill LeBron’s shoes? Who will take up the mantle to become the next generation’s icon?
On Twitter, one fan brought up this very topic, expressing concern over what he feels is a lack of suitable candidates to carry the torch…
Who is our next Kobe…or Lebron…..jordan….I don’t see it right now
— Ten000Hours (@DevInTheLab) April 10, 2021
While it’s impossible to argue that the league doesn’t have an influx of young talent, are any of them even close to the level we saw from guys like Jordan, Kobe, and Bron?
IN the comments, fans debated several names, with the most widely accepted heir to King James’ throne being Dallas star Luka Doncic, who is already averaging over 25 points per game for his career.
i would say luka is gonna be the next lebron with less athleticism and less defence
— Moresauce22 (@moresauce22) April 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/xyruswithanx/status/1380749822144155654
Luka Doncic. I watch every game he plays, and he does things that are unreal for a 22 year old every single night. He can be the best player on the floor regardless of the matchup. By far the most complete game and most decorated out of any player in his age group. Watch him.
— Jo (@MavsStan41) April 10, 2021
IDK maybe a 20 year old who is averaging 27 on 61% or LUKA DONCIC?
— Mo (@MO_OSAMA30) April 10, 2021
Folks also made the case for Suns guard Devin Booker, who is widely recognized as one of the best scorers in the game.
https://twitter.com/Rodmanszn/status/1380927270618066954https://twitter.com/GGFENDI/status/1380928784275230723
Devin Booker . Dude play with a chip on his shoulder & he stays getting boo’d already in away games . What great didn’t get boo’d in away games? Mans is different
— TheeDannyBoi (@TheeDannyBoi) April 10, 2021
Considering the hype surrounding his NBA debut, it’s no surprise to see Zion Williamson’s name emerge in this debate, even if his run this year has been largely overlooked.
Zion is just Zion he will be the next great pantheon of basketball
— BWA 🦅💰 (@bound_nba) April 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/TravelKing711/status/1380807592109346819https://twitter.com/Pierre70946489/status/1380948799946944518
Jayson Tatum is apparently seen as a potential “Kobe-Esque” figure as well.
jayson tatum
— yunus (@riptoeight) April 10, 2021
Kobe I think is probably Tatum. Lebron I think is probably Zion or Luka. Jordan might be Lavine if he can play defense. Maybe RJ Barrett.
— ₿RⒶV三N (@grownupkid94) April 10, 2021
Jayson Tatum got the potential to be tbh maybe not flashy above the rim but def could run the East in a few years
— 𝓚𝓮𝓫𝓻𝓸𝓷 (@justkb__) April 10, 2021
Several other names were mentioned in the comments, including Zach LaVine, Ja Morant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and even LaMelo Ball.
Honestly, there’s no way to tell who will take over the next basketball age. It could be any of the fan-mentioned names, or it could be none of them. Heck, we might not get a “generational” great again for a while.
Stars like that are rare, and there is no guarantee the league will always have one at any given moment. No doubt, that’s unfortunate for us, who never want a gap between generational greats.
At the very least, however, it makes us appreciate them when they finally do come along.
