The "New" Face of the Next Decade

[tugs]

I got this from the Knicks board and they said they got this from the GB:

I got this from the general board:

Today I went to a Kobe Tour in Seoul, Korea and one of the fan's questions were who will surpass him.
The whole stadium was screaming the obvious choices of Rose, Wade, Lebron, Howard however Kobe answered with the New York Knick's Carmelo Anthony. I know that it's Korea, and no one really knows much about the NBA, or basketball in general, but the reaction of the crowd was shock. Honestly, so was I. Kobe's reason for Melo becoming his succesor was Melo's offensive versatility. However, will Kobe's theory be right and after he retires will the torch end up being passed on to Melo?

Also, the tour was amazing. Although I know that Kobe doesn't really try, he totally failed a pass off the rebound for a dunk, completely missed a reverse, and got hardcore pumpfaked by a 14 year old.

Since the MJ era, there hasn't been a player (imo) that was considered the face of the league, someone who, you might say synonymous to NBA. For the past decade I've been contemplating whether it was Duncan, Shaq, or Kobe. I would've put AI but he had lesser impact due to the fact he hasn't won any rings. But since 2000-2002, 2009, 2010, I have to go with Kobe.

After Kobe hangs 'em up in probably 5-10 years, who do you think will be the next face of the NBA?

Interestingly, Kobe chose Melo. I can't decide on Melo or Rose or Durant. For me those 3 aren't in their peaks yet while Bron and Wade, well, I think their messed up right now.

[Wavy Q]

I don't know who it is, but i can tell you who it won't be

Carmelo Anthony

[snaquille oatmeal]

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1125635

[tugs]

I don't know who it is, but i can tell you who it won't be

Carmelo Anthony

Jay

why?

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1125635

snaq, if you think this should be locked, I'm cool with it.

I'm just thinking of having this topic exclusive to Laker fans. I don't want to be involved, and probably some posters here also, in some drama in the GB.

[TyCobb]

I think the face of the next decade hasn't been drafted yet. Harrison Barnes is that dude.

[kblo247]

Kobe saying Melo is no shock.

That was his best friend on the olympic team, a guy he calls little brother, and who he talks to every week by the admission of both, he'll they even broke bread during the wcf years ago, so they are cool.

plus no matter how you slice it, Carmelo Anthony has a whole lot better chance aging gracefully like Kobe and Jordan, than Durant or LeBron or Paul.

Carmelo relies far less on his athleticism and speed than all of those guys. He has foot work, post moves, mid range game, the ability to play on and off the ball, loves the 4th quarter and pressure it brings even if it means failing, he is not bashful about shooting a the risk of protecting his percentages, and he isn't a guy who is obsessed with being liked by his peers.

I mean, really, is it a shock that a guy like Carmelo was really went after by the Jordan brand aggressively and tha Kobe took such an interest in him of all the other players after seeing him work? He has that same streak of I don't give a **** what you think, I am the man, and I am going to do what I think it takes to win in him just like them.

He isn't overly passive like Paul or LeBron both of whom disappeared in 4th quarters when their teams need them, he won't be bothered with simply being knocked around like Durant was by LA and Dallas, and as much as I love Dwight he also doesn't have that same jovial attitude. And we all saw just how much of a shell Wade was when he couldn't rely on his athleticism in 2008 and he was still in his 20's.

[dockingsched]

kobe probably said melo cause he's the only one on that list that has no real chance of being the new "face". no reason to bolster a real threat to your throne.

[tugs]

I think the face of the next decade hasn't been drafted yet. Harrison Barnes is that dude.

Am I missing out on a lot? Haven't since this kid even once.

Kobe saying Melo is no shock.

That was his best friend on the olympic team, a guy he calls little brother, and who he talks to every week by the admission of both, he'll they even broke bread during the wcf years ago, so they are cool.

plus no matter how you slice it, Carmelo Anthony has a whole lot better chance aging gracefully like Kobe and Jordan, than Durant or LeBron or Paul.

Carmelo relies far less on his athleticism and speed than all of those guys. He has foot work, post moves, mid range game, the ability to play on and off the ball, loves the 4th quarter and pressure it brings even if it means failing, he is not bashful about shooting a the risk of protecting his percentages, and he isn't a guy who is obsessed with being liked by his peers.

I mean, really, is it a shock that a guy like Carmelo was really went after by the Jordan brand aggressively and tha Kobe took such an interest in him of all the other players after seeing him work? He has that same streak of I don't give a **** what you think, I am the man, and I am going to do what I think it takes to win in him just like them.

He isn't overly passive like Paul or LeBron both of whom disappeared in 4th quarters when their teams need them, he won't be bothered with simply being knocked around like Durant was by LA and Dallas, and as much as I love Dwight he also doesn't have that same jovial attitude. And we all saw just how much of a shell Wade was when he couldn't rely on his athleticism in 2008 and he was still in his 20's.

my thoughts exactly. even during their young days, I always believed Lebron isn't miles away talent and skill-wise from Carmelo.

Anthony has all the repertoire. He isn't as creative as James or Wade in finishing but he gets the job done. He doesn't have the silky form of Durant but he also has a great touch mid to long range. He's assists won't blow you away statistically but he makes timely passes and as you've said, not as passive as Lebron or Paul (maybe Paul can be excused, he's a PG anyway and passing is his job) because he knows he can score and looks to pass at the right moment only. You also can't question his desire to win. Kobe and Wade are the fiercest competitors today that pops in my head when you talk about the will to win.

Melo's edge over these guys (assuming other aspects are equal):

Wade - shooting, attitude (I have a lot of respect for Wade but since he started to clown around like Lebron... )
Durant - strength, passing
Lebron - clutch, and dare I say this everything Lebron can do, Melo can do better if he wanted to

man, if you put Kobe's mentality to Melo...

kobe probably said melo cause he's the only one on that list that has no real chance of being the new "face". no reason to bolster a real threat to your thrown.

I'm having second thoughts now... jk. Melo for me is VC. both are capable but both aren't as willing as an MJ or Kobe.

[MoLakers]

i think kobes opinion was for the near future. imo its really hard to tell. its gotta be a lebron/kobe type of player. cocky/arrogant superstar. makes dumb mistakes at times off the court but on the court is entertaining as all heck. if howard becomes more dominant (30, 14, 3 blocks) and plays on a BIG market team, i think he can be it. rose and durant are too quiet. anyone could spring up and be a kobe/lebron type player, so thats why its hard to tell. but for now, after 5-10 yrs.. and now i look and lebrons only 1 yr older than dwight.. LEBRON FINAL ANSWER

[crimsonkb24]

Well both wawde and Lebron are far too established in the league that they can be seen as the new face of the nba. Also they are the villains right now. Although Melo is from the same draftclass, he hasnt done much yet, but Kobe probably just said that b/c melo is his friend. imo its gotta be Rose or Durant, or some new drafted Megatalent

[Sofa King]

Andrew Bynum

[LascelleL]

DeMar DeRozan= Next Kobe

[Frantik]

dcash4, you are a smart man.

[pwrshft99]

Just look at NBA commercials.. its gonna be LBJ, DRose, Durant, CP3 and B Griffin

[Slava]

I'd absolutely love it if the new face of the NBA was a team rather than a player. A gritty, hardworking team that plays great passing and fast paced team basketball.

[tugs]

Like an 04 Detroit team and the past decade's Spurs?

Polished teams tend to get "boring" to others though. No flashy plays, all fundamentals.Only those who really appreciate team basketball enjoy watching those kind of teams.

[Slava]

How do you figure Detroit and San Antonio were exciting to watch? They were two of the worst offensive systems as a fan.

I was hinting at a team with Phoenix's offense and Boston's defense. Or atleast our 07-08 offense with Kobe, LO, Ariza and Pau running the floor and Sasha/Radman/Fish knocking down daggers.

[tugs]

what I meant when I said DET and SA was that they're offense compromised mainly of ball-screens, post-up plays, cuts, stuff like that and it's something some fans don't like. I'm guilty btw. Sometimes I'd rather watch a player explode and take a team to victory than a well polished team.

And yeah the 07-08 roster. What made that team exciting is it played team ball while we can still marvel at the greatness of a one-on-one player in Kobe (unlike in DET's case,there's no one in that roster who's capable of doing that).

A team who plays within a system and has a legit star, that's a team I'd watch.