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

dballislife · Post #81 » by **dballislife** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 8:47 pm

im sure most american ball fans wish that their two best in tatum and ant are as good as the top world players, but they aint so deal with it

ropjhk · Post #82 » by **ropjhk** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 8:55 pm

The FOTL has to take on the responsibility of growing the popularity of the sport. You need a good grasp of media relations. You have to be a leader who provides a model for other players to follow. The role requires a certain level of maturity and grace.

I don't think ANT has those qualities. He lacks maturity and media awareness.

islandkid12 · Post #83 » by **islandkid12** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:00 pm

Like not even speaking on if he's actually good enough to be the face, being the face is quite literally representing the entire NBA brand and being a cultural figure to the entire sport of basketall.

Its a huuuge responsibility and Ant doesn't come across as mature or responsible enough for something like that. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, he said he doesn't want to be the face anyways and I agree with him.

bledredwine · Post #84 » by **bledredwine** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:09 pm

Mogspan wrote:I’m a Wolves fan and love ANT, but I think it’s basically impossible for him to become the best player in the league.

He’s 6’ 4”, and although he’s a playoff riser, he’s never hit a BPM of 4+ in the regular season.

He’s charismatic and super fun to watch, but is there even a 10% chance that he will ever be as good as Wemby is right now?

Sadly, these are my thoughts as well. Just a year ago, I had very high hopes. I just don't see it happening.

To be the best with that style, you have to be ridiculously consistent, consistent and smart, like a Kawhi.

EmpireFalls · Post #85 » by **EmpireFalls** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:12 pm

It’s so funny the way people talk about this “face of the league” thing as if it’s some formal title that can awarded or some costume you put on like you’re Batman.

The real faces of the league didn’t try to be the face of the league at first they just tried to win and show their personality along with it. No one can “personality” their way to that status. It’s all downstream from being really, really, really good at basketball. Ant is very good but he’s not a top 5 player

Sealab2024 · Post #86 » by **Sealab2024** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:17 pm

EmpireFalls wrote:It’s so funny the way people talk about this “face of the league” thing as if it’s some formal title that can awarded or some costume you put on like you’re Batman.

The real faces of the league didn’t try to be the face of the league at first they just tried to win and show their personality along with it. No one can “personality” their way to that status. It’s all downstream from being really, really, really good at basketball. Ant is very good but he’s not a top 5 player

This. It's like they're trying to arrange a marriage and they keep switching out brides to see which one fits.

Drygon · Post #87 » by **Drygon** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:41 pm

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?

ropjhk · Post #88 » by **ropjhk** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:44 pm

EmpireFalls wrote:It’s so funny the way people talk about this “face of the league” thing as if it’s some formal title that can awarded or some costume you put on like you’re Batman.

The real faces of the league didn’t try to be the face of the league at first they just tried to win and show their personality along with it. No one can “personality” their way to that status. It’s all downstream from being really, really, really good at basketball. Ant is very good but he’s not a top 5 player

It starts with being very good at basketball but it continues by being a good marketable citizen and it goes even further when a player embraces being the guy representing the league in promotions and interviews.

djsunyc · Post #89 » by **djsunyc** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:51 pm

imho, nba doesn't have any white american stars. baseball and football do. last one might've been bird.

i think that does play a part in why the nba isn't as popular. not sure how big a part and there are many other reasons, just pointing out one.

Shock Defeat · Post #90 » by **Shock Defeat** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:54 pm

Cooper Flagg is up next

Mr Puddles · Post #91 » by **Mr Puddles** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:58 pm

Drygon wrote: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?

A foreigner being the most recognizable and marketable player happens in sports leagues around the world all the time, why should it be any different for the NBA?

cgf · Post #92 » by **cgf** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 11:44 pm

bisme37 wrote:When you get asked a question like this it's not like you have prepared remarks. I imagine it's easy to overlook someone.

Tatum
Wemby
SGA
Flagg
Luka

would be my guess for 5 years from now

Ja and Ant perhaps but I feel like there are red flags with those guys.

Agree about Ja, disagree about Ant. The kid often surprises me with his maturity, so I believe in his game, and he has the charisma to be a bigger star than someone quieter but a little better than Ant...like SGA...but watching Minny for Donte & Juju has made me like the wolves and Ant's candor is very german at times, so I may be biased in my assessment of his charisma.

...oh and with two rings in New York, Jalen Brunson's giant head will be everywhere in 5 years, he may literally be the face of the NBA by then

cgf · Post #93 » by **cgf** » Tue Feb 18, 2025 11:45 pm

Mr Puddles wrote:A foreigner being the most recognizable and marketable player happens in sports leagues around the world all the time, why should it be any different for the NBA?

Because the people voted!

Mr Puddles · Post #94 » by **Mr Puddles** » Wed Feb 19, 2025 12:16 am

cgf wrote:
Mr Puddles wrote:A foreigner being the most recognizable and marketable player happens in sports leagues around the world all the time, why should it be any different for the NBA?

Because the people voted!

Watch on YouTube

;pp=ygUVdGhlIHBlb3BsZSBhcmUgc3R1cGlk

shrink · Post #95 » by **shrink** » Wed Feb 19, 2025 12:44 am

“Do you really feel like you’re a household name, Jonathan?”

“Oh, it’s DONathan? Sorry.”

LockoutSeason · Post #96 » by **LockoutSeason** » Wed Feb 19, 2025 7:41 pm

NBA was born in Canada.

dhsilv2 · Post #97 » by **dhsilv2** » Wed Feb 19, 2025 8:19 pm

bisme37 wrote:When you get asked a question like this it's not like you have prepared remarks. I imagine it's easy to overlook someone.

Tatum
Wemby
SGA
Flagg
Luka

would be my guess for 5 years from now

Ja and Ant perhaps but I feel like there are red flags with those guys.

You'd almost have to try and leave off both Luka and Wemby though. That had to be intentional.

Post #98 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 11:51 pm

Anthony Edwards...is so problematic, man.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Raps in 4 · Post #99 » by **Raps in 4** » Tue Apr 22, 2025 12:02 am

Top-5 players in 5 years will be SGA, Luka, Wemby, Tatum, and probably Ant.

That's assuming Jokic isn't defying Father Time at age 35.

NZB2323 · Post #100 » by **NZB2323** » Tue Apr 22, 2025 12:13 am

Drygon wrote: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.