Donovan Mitchell’s list on the next Face of the NBA in 5 years: "Myself, Ant, Ja Morant, Cooper Flagg, SGA & Tatum"

[Jamaaliver]

Adidas marketing team doing everything possible to make Anthony Edwards the face of the league...

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[UcanUwill]

Stephen A Smith: "I don't believe an international player can be the face of the NBA. I know they are global iconic figures, their popularity extends globally. But the NBA is an American born sport."

Do you agree with SAS or is he just xenophobic?

I’d say that a big cannot be the face of the league. Luka can be the face of the league, but Wemby and Jokic can’t.

Iverson and Kobe were more popular than Duncan and Shaq. Jordan was more popular than Hakeem. Dr. J, Magic, and Bird were more popular than Kareem and Moses. Curry and LeBron are more popular than Jokic and Giannis. Jerry West, Baylor, and Oscar were more popular than Russell and Wilt.

People like to root for David, not Goliath.

I understand the logic, but how game is evolving, being bigger is not necessarily an advantage anymore, so I am not sure big can not be face of the league. I am not sure people will look at one guy and say, well, he is 4 inches taller, so he is a Golliath in this sense, thats not necessarily true anymore.
I agree that this logic would apply to Victor, cause that man simply has major advantage on just pure basics of who he is naturally, not skill wise.

I think in the past, guards usually were faces of the league, just cause guards are more exiting to watch. I think Shaq was exiting to watch, but how many other bigs were just as exiting as MJ or Kobe or Iverson, they just usually weren't. The way game is played now, bigs need to be far more skilled, so maybe from now on they will be more exiting.

It is the same with Euroleague I feel, guards always were faces of the Euroleague, cause they were more exiting. Jasikevičius, Spanoulis, Šiškauskas, Diamantidis, Navarro, now Kendrick Nunn were faces of the league, bigs never were faces of Euroleague, but I think it can change.

[NZB2323]

Stephen A Smith: "I don't believe an international player can be the face of the NBA. I know they are global iconic figures, their popularity extends globally. But the NBA is an American born sport."

Do you agree with SAS or is he just xenophobic?

I’d say that a big cannot be the face of the league. Luka can be the face of the league, but Wemby and Jokic can’t.

Iverson and Kobe were more popular than Duncan and Shaq. Jordan was more popular than Hakeem. Dr. J, Magic, and Bird were more popular than Kareem and Moses. Curry and LeBron are more popular than Jokic and Giannis. Jerry West, Baylor, and Oscar were more popular than Russell and Wilt.

People like to root for David, not Goliath.

I understand the logic, but how game is evolving, being bigger is not necessarily an advantage anymore, so I am not sure big can not be face of the league. I am not sure people will look at one guy and say, well, he is 4 inches taller, so he is a Golliath in this sense, thats not necessarily true anymore.
I agree that this logic would apply to Victor, cause that man simply has major advantage on just pure basics of who he is naturally, not skill wise.

I think in the past, guards usually were faces of the league, just cause guards are more exiting to watch. I think Shaq was exiting to watch, but how many other bigs were just as exiting as MJ or Kobe or Iverson, they just usually weren't. The way game is played now, bigs need to be far more skilled, so maybe from now on they will be more exiting.

It is the same with Euroleague I feel, guards always were faces of the Euroleague, cause they were more exiting. Jasikevičius, Spanoulis, Šiškauskas, Diamantidis, Navarro, now Kendrick Nunn were faces of the league, bigs never were faces of Euroleague, but I think it can change.

Being big is absolutely an advantage. Look at the Wolves against the Lakers. Look at Jokic, Porzingis, Mobley, Green, Zubac, Gobert, Holmgren, Hartenstein, ect.

People still like to root for David over Goliath, especially kids and average fans. We want to see Bruce Lee defeat Kareem, a hobbit defeat a cave troll, a giant spider, and a dark lord, and Captain America or Iron Man defeat Thanos. We want to see a little teenage wizard defeat a dark sorcerer.

No one wants to see a movie where the Hulk destroys the evil bugs from a Bug’s Life, but people would see a movie where the bugs from a bug’s life defeat a giant evil being.

Shaq may have been popular, but people liked Jordan, Kobe, Iverson, Tmac, and Vince Carter more.

[UcanUwill]

I’d say that a big cannot be the face of the league. Luka can be the face of the league, but Wemby and Jokic can’t.

Iverson and Kobe were more popular than Duncan and Shaq. Jordan was more popular than Hakeem. Dr. J, Magic, and Bird were more popular than Kareem and Moses. Curry and LeBron are more popular than Jokic and Giannis. Jerry West, Baylor, and Oscar were more popular than Russell and Wilt.

People like to root for David, not Goliath.

I understand the logic, but how game is evolving, being bigger is not necessarily an advantage anymore, so I am not sure big can not be face of the league. I am not sure people will look at one guy and say, well, he is 4 inches taller, so he is a Golliath in this sense, thats not necessarily true anymore.
I agree that this logic would apply to Victor, cause that man simply has major advantage on just pure basics of who he is naturally, not skill wise.

I think in the past, guards usually were faces of the league, just cause guards are more exiting to watch. I think Shaq was exiting to watch, but how many other bigs were just as exiting as MJ or Kobe or Iverson, they just usually weren't. The way game is played now, bigs need to be far more skilled, so maybe from now on they will be more exiting.

It is the same with Euroleague I feel, guards always were faces of the Euroleague, cause they were more exiting. Jasikevičius, Spanoulis, Šiškauskas, Diamantidis, Navarro, now Kendrick Nunn were faces of the league, bigs never were faces of Euroleague, but I think it can change.

Being big is absolutely an advantage. Look at the Wolves against the Lakers. Look at Jokic, Porzingis, Mobley, Green, Zubac, Gobert, Holmgren, Hartenstein, ect.

People still like to root for David over Goliath, especially kids and average fans. We want to see Bruce Lee defeat Kareem, a hobbit defeat a cave troll, a giant spider, and a dark lord, and Captain America or Iron Man defeat Thanos. We want to see a little teenage wizard defeat a dark sorcerer.

No one wants to see a movie where the Hulk destroys the evil bugs from a Bug’s Life, but people would see a movie where the bugs from a bug’s life defeat a giant evil being.

Shaq may have been popular, but people liked Jordan, Kobe, Iverson, Tmac, and Vince Carter more.

Especially nowadays, there are obviously trade offs. Smaller guys have their own advantages, we often talk how bigs get played of the court and many skilled bigs aren't even in the NBA anymore. Put Tavares in the NBA and he would be useless. Obviously 5'9 will have no advantage in the NBA any way you look at it, but 6'4 player will have his advantages over a seven footer. like half of the best NBA players ever were guards.

Also, bugs from bugs life are likable, but man, make a movie where Hulk beats the crap out of minions, thats a billion dollar movie right there

[ForeverTFC]

Adidas marketing team doing everything possible to make Anthony Edwards the face of the league...

If I was young, I would 100% gravitate towards Ant. The game, the confidence, the joy he plays the game with - he has it all.

I think he has a real chance to become Kobe or MJ for a generation of kids, and quite frankly I don't think you can say this about any other player in the game today.

[NZB2323]

I understand the logic, but how game is evolving, being bigger is not necessarily an advantage anymore, so I am not sure big can not be face of the league. I am not sure people will look at one guy and say, well, he is 4 inches taller, so he is a Golliath in this sense, thats not necessarily true anymore.
I agree that this logic would apply to Victor, cause that man simply has major advantage on just pure basics of who he is naturally, not skill wise.

I think in the past, guards usually were faces of the league, just cause guards are more exiting to watch. I think Shaq was exiting to watch, but how many other bigs were just as exiting as MJ or Kobe or Iverson, they just usually weren't. The way game is played now, bigs need to be far more skilled, so maybe from now on they will be more exiting.

It is the same with Euroleague I feel, guards always were faces of the Euroleague, cause they were more exiting. Jasikevičius, Spanoulis, Šiškauskas, Diamantidis, Navarro, now Kendrick Nunn were faces of the league, bigs never were faces of Euroleague, but I think it can change.

Being big is absolutely an advantage. Look at the Wolves against the Lakers. Look at Jokic, Porzingis, Mobley, Green, Zubac, Gobert, Holmgren, Hartenstein, ect.

People still like to root for David over Goliath, especially kids and average fans. We want to see Bruce Lee defeat Kareem, a hobbit defeat a cave troll, a giant spider, and a dark lord, and Captain America or Iron Man defeat Thanos. We want to see a little teenage wizard defeat a dark sorcerer.

No one wants to see a movie where the Hulk destroys the evil bugs from a Bug’s Life, but people would see a movie where the bugs from a bug’s life defeat a giant evil being.

Shaq may have been popular, but people liked Jordan, Kobe, Iverson, Tmac, and Vince Carter more.

Especially nowadays, there are obviously trade offs. Smaller guys have their own advantages, we often talk how bigs get played of the court and many skilled bigs aren't even in the NBA anymore. Put Tavares in the NBA and he would be useless. Obviously 5'9 will have no advantage in the NBA any way you look at it, but 6'4 player will have his advantages over a seven footer. like half of the best NBA players ever were guards.

Also, bugs from bugs life are likable, but man, make a movie where Hulk beats the crap out of minions, thats a billion dollar movie right there

People would root for the minions to beat the Hulk!

[UcanUwill]

People would root for the minions to beat the Hulk!

I do like cheering for the underdog, but smaller guy is not always the underdog in basketball. And conundrum of Face of the league, is that face of the league suppose to be very very good, preferably the best even, so he is pretty much a Goliath by definition. Prime GSW were a Goliath, I didn't care their best guy was average size male.

But I don't know, I am no expert of such a thing, I do not understand the fascination of ''face of the league'', before RealGM I never even thought of such a thing, to me I never needed face of the league for any league I like. I can see how it helps, because guys like Michael Jordan or Michael Schumacher definitely made their sports more popular as faces of the league/championship. But some of the best leagues in the world do not have face of the league in my opinion and they do just fine.

[tsherkin]

People would root for the minions to beat the Hulk!

I do like cheering for the underdog, but smaller guy is not always the underdog in basketball. And conundrum of Face of the league, is that face of the league suppose to be very very good, preferably the best even, so he is pretty much a Goliath by definition. Prime GSW were a Goliath, I didn't care their best guy is average size male.

But I don't know, I am no expert of such a thing, I do not understand the fascination of ''face of the league'', before RealGM I never even thought of such a thing, to me I never needed face of the league for any league I like. I can see how it helps, because guys like Michael Jordan or Michael Schumacher definitely made their sports more popular as faces of the league/championship. But some of the best leagues in the world do not have face of the league in my opinion and they do just fine.

It's a thing which happens if the person has sufficient charisma and performance. It isn't a necessity, and forcing it doesn't really work, for sure.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Baseline81]

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It's tough when Tatum wasn't even the best player on his team last year in the NBA Finals.

If, and I realize it's a gigantic-sized if, Minnesota does it, everyone knows Edwards would be the reason. And, maybe more important, that would be Minnesota's first NBA championship.

[Jamaaliver]

It's tough when Tatum wasn't even the best player on his team last year in the NBA Finals.

If, and I realize it's a gigantic-sized if, Minnesota does it, everyone knows Edwards would be the reason. And, maybe more important, that would be Minnesota's first NBA championship.

This is a good point. I will say that even Steph has 4 NBA Titles...and only one Finals MVP Trophy.

There's something to be said for being the best player on the best team for 7 outta the 8 months of an NBA Season.

[Ritzo]

Jokic until he's 45

[Infinite Llamas]

Adidas marketing team doing everything possible to make Anthony Edwards the face of the league...

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Wow…can only imagine what graphic they would have if Jokic was wearing their shoes after he bounced Lebron from the playoffs two years in a row.

It’s so obvious they wanted him to have 40 points last night before they dropped this graphic but it lands with a whimper after Gobert carry job last night lol.

[Infinite Llamas]

Adidas marketing team doing everything possible to make Anthony Edwards the face of the league...

If I was young, I would 100% gravitate towards Ant. The game, the confidence, the joy he plays the game with - he has it all.

I think he has a real chance to become Kobe or MJ for a generation of kids, and quite frankly I don't think you can say this about any other player in the game today.

Zero percent chance that happens without rings and I don’t see him winning any anytime soon.

Charisma can only get one so far

[jbk1234]

Are these expectasions realistic for Cooper Flagg? I know dude can ball but a top5 face of the league?

I'd say yeah.

None of those are NBA stats.

[bmurph128]

Yea he was just answering a question....nothing really to see here.

And Mitchell is a fringe superstar in the eyes of many....so if he would have left himself off we would have had a threat saying "Mitchell is a Robin, he doesn't even see himself as good enough to be the face of the league".

[Alatan]

Its a bit irritating how people confuse narcissism with charisma... Sure selfcentered jerks are usually confident but it doesnt mean that they are capable. And even if they are, being arrogant about it is still repulsive. I dont get the appeal of it...

Anyway the best players in 5 years will probably be the same guys that are dominating now, minus Giannis and the old squad.
So its something like Jokic, Doncic, Wemby with SGA, Chet, Ant, Cade, Banchero and Wagner possibly joining them.
As for who the media will chose to shove down out throats, it will probably be Doncic if Ant doesnt take a big step up.

[HMFFL]

Yea he was just answering a question....nothing really to see here.

And Mitchell is a fringe superstar in the eyes of many....so if he would have left himself off we would have had a threat saying "Mitchell is a Robin, he doesn't even see himself as good enough to be the face of the league".

All it takes is a Finals MVP and Championship for Mitchell to be viewed differently. We'll see if he can get it done.



Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[falcolombardi]

Its a bit irritating how people confuse narcissism with charisma... Sure selfcentered jerks are usually confident but it doesnt mean that they are capable. And even if they are, being arrogant about it is still repulsive. I dont get the appeal of it...

Anyway the best players in 5 years will probably be the same guys that are dominating now, minus Giannis and the old squad.
So its something like Jokic, Doncic, Wemby with SGA, Chet, Ant, Cade, Banchero and Wagner possibly joining them.
As for who the media will chose to shove down out throats, it will probably be Doncic if Ant doesnt take a big step up.

Did you see 2020 shai being considered a top 5 player going forward?

2010 curry?

2012 harden?

2011 kawhi?

2015 jokic?

Is not as straight forward

[The Real Dalic]

Luka
Ant
Wemby
SGA
Paolo

Those are the 5 I would say.

Flagg hasn't even played a game in the NBA yet. I'm not giving him anything until he comes to the NBA and produces.

Also no, I don't care if people think I'm biased. I've watched a lot of Magic superstars since TMac, and I see the special things Paolo does with no help outside of Franz and people will get there eventually when Paolo starts leading the Magic to homecourt in the playoffs over the next few years starting next year.

Also, Cade has a shot as well. Already special and still nowhere near his prime.