LeBron reigns now, but nobody reigns forever. Is there a player playing today who’s ready to assume the throne. I think there is? He is….
LeBron James is undoubtedly the best player we’ve seen since Michael Jordan. When MJ retired for the third and final time, NBA fans wondered if basketball would ever be the same. Luckily we had players like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Allen Iverson to keep the league afloat.
After MJ, only Kobe came close to that of Air Jordan. But there was still a void.
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In 2004, that void was filled when 18-year-old LeBron James was the first overall draft pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers. What a scenario! LeBron was playing in his home city of Cleveland with a franchise starved for an NBA championship. He even wore number 23 in honor of his boyhood idol.
LeBron eventually made good and brought the Larry O’Brien Trophy to NE Ohio. Of course, he then left the Cavs after seven seasons, bringing his talents to South Beach. He led the Miami Heat to four straight NBA Finals, won two titles, and had a couple of Finals MVP performances.
Overall, LeBron appeared in eight straight NBA Finals, winning three championships, and taking home MVP honors each time. But now it is a different time. ‘The King’ will turn 36 years old this December, which means the sand in the hourglass on his professional career is running out.
Even though LBJ is still playing at an MVP level, he can’t possibly keep playing that way for an extended period of time. So who will take the monarch mantle from LeBron?
Kevin Durant may be the next best player in the league, but he’s been out of the game because of injury. As great as is KD, I don’t think he’ll never live up to LeBron’s status. And he won’t have the time to do it because his NBA clock is ticking. Durant will turn 32 in September.
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Stephon Curry is also coming off an injury. During a two-three year run, Curry was the most popular player in the NBA, and he may well be the best pure shooter we’ve ever seen. Still, though, he can’t carry the torch that The King will have to pass along eventually. That’s because Curry is already 32 years old. Time flies, huh!?
How about James Harden? The Bearded One is as exciting to watch as any player in the league. He’s a scoring machine, an underrated passer, and has that killer instinct on the court. But the knock against Harden is that he doesn’t play defense well enough to be in LeBron’s category. Harden will turn 31 in August, too, so he’s no spring chicken when it comes to balling.
Kawhi Leonard is a bit younger than the others. He’ll turn 29 in June. The defending NBA Finals MVP is fantastic on the court … when he plays. Perhaps that will be held against him. No matter, Leonard is a top 3 player because he can do it all. But, unlike LeBron, he doesn’t have that ‘it’ when it comes to fan and media connectedness. The lack of public communication skills and nonchalant attitude just don’t cut it when it comes to being the league’s majestic symbol.
Getty Images/The Ringer illustration
There are other great young players in the league today, too. LeBron’s teammate Anthony Davis is one. Luka Doncic is another. Trae Young has taken the league by storm, and Zion Williamson is in the same category. There are Damien Lillard, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Russell Westbrook, to name a few more. They are phenomenal players all.
But it takes more than just being a great player when it comes to being crowned ‘The King.” The public has to love you, and that player needs to be able to carry the weight of being the face of the league.
When it comes down to it, there’s only one player I can think of that way, and he’s only 25 years old. And he’s as likable as anybody you’ll ever meet. He’s entertaining, yet humble. He’s a freakish athlete without fear on the court. He’s determined to be the best player in the NBA.
This player has all the tools one needs (on- and off-the-court) to become a global icon. If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m writing about Giannis Antetokounmpo! He’s flashy. He enjoys playing the game. He’s a team guy, too. Giannis is poised to become the next King of the NBA!
Players have no answer for Giannis, much like they have no answer for LeBron. The only defense you can play against those guys is 5-on-1. They both want the ball, and they need the ball!
Giannis is ready to assume the mantle: “King of the NBA.”
