LeBron James has recently been the subject of numerous headlines. But it wasn’t because of what he performed on the floor or how the Los Angeles Lakers played. Rather than blaming rising superstar Anthony Edwards’ lack of enthusiasm to become the future ‘Face of the League,’ the greatest NBA player of his generation stated that there is a “weird energy” surrounding the title these days. According to The Athletic’s most recent Player Poll, San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama appears to be on track to channel that intensity.
Wemby received 53.4% of the votes from the 158 NBA players who took part in the survey about who will be the league’s face in five years. Nobody else was close.
Edwards came in second at 13.8%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP finalist, was the only other player in double digits, at 10.9%. Boston Celtics player Jayson Tatum scored 6.5% of the votes, while Luka Doncic, Paolo Banchero, Cade Cunningham, and Ja Morant all received 2%, with Doncic at 2.9% and the three others at 2.2%.
According to The Athletic, players from all teams participated in the survey, which included more than a third of the league’s players.
Following a February game against Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves, the man who owns the title has spoken out about the term and why he believes it has become taboo.
“I feel Ant,” James said following the Lakers’ 111-102 victory. “I understand. I fully understand. There’s a strange aura around that.”
Victor Wembanyama has never backed away from expectations.
Wembanyama has been touted to as the league’s future on numerous occasions before. And, while the topic of the NBA’s next ‘Face of the League’ did not come up at his end-of-year media availability, he did reflect on the future.
“I know I am done with this situation. More than being over, it’s something I’ll put to use,” the 2023 first-round draft pick said of the blood clots in his right shoulder that terminated his sophomore season shortly after the All-Star break.
“I believe that most of us, regrettably, require something like that to occur in order to realize certain things. In the long run, it will benefit me.”
Wemby also discussed how his time away from the game has affected his devotion. While he thinks his recuperation is going well, he won’t be able to exercise freely for at least two months.
“My head is spinning a lot more than before, but on the one hand it’s positive because it allows me to think about a lot of things, a lot of projects and to project myself much better on the career on the way we want to work,” the Frenchman, who stands 7-foot-5, said.
“It’s an experience that helps you grow,” Wembanyama explained. “So I have no issue at this level. I don’t get bored, and, as I previously stated, I can work hard now. So it’s easier.”
Any mention of “easier” for Wemby is unlikely to make the rest of the NBA happy. Especially when it comes to the guy who most people believe will be the next face.
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