With the NBA absolutely overflowing with talent, and LeBron’s seemingly never ending “best in the world” caliber play finally coming to an end. It’s a wonder who will be next in line to take the king’s throne as the next face of the league.
With players like Giannis, Luka, and Embiid all at the forefront of this conversation. A 4th person has come in, and absolutely shattered expectations, to the degree that many people, despite this player only being in his rookie year, has declared that this player has the makings of the next face of the league. That player being Victor Wembenyama. Despite the season not being over yet. I want to discuss who I think the next face will be.
The Stats…
Speaking in terms of raw numbers and overall achievements. Right now, Giannis has the best case to be the next face of the league considering he has a championship under his belt while none of the other candidates do. With career averages of 23.3 PTS, 4.8 APG, 9.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.2 BPG, it’s easy to see why one would immediately point to Giannis as the next face of the league.
However, the other candidates, given a championship as well, could very well be considered above Giannis in this conversation. With Embiid having career averages of 27.8 PPG, 3.6 APG, 11.2 RPG, 0.9 SPG, and 1.7 BPG and Luka averaging 28.6 PTS, 8.2 APG, 8.6 RPG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.5 BPG, they both make a very compelling arguments as to why they should replace the king.
The entry of a Phenom
With Victor Wembanyama being picked 1st overall by the spurs in the 2023 draft. Many wondered how the absolute specimen of a player that is the 7’4 Wemby would do in his first year. Beyond a slightly slow start, Wemby has been a treat to watch, surpassing the expectations that many had placed on him. With averages of 20.8 PTS, 3.5 APG, 10.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG, and a league-leading 3.5 BPG.
It’s absolutely insane to think that not only could this be his floor. But the fact remains that the Spurs are misusing Wemby in the offense. Wemby could have a lot better numbers if in the right system. So It’s a scary thought that Wemby is only 20 years old, doing things some players have never done in their entire careers.
So, who’s the next face?
After watching all of these players since they’ve entered the league. I’ve grown quite fond of watching all of them with their excellent consistent play. All of these players have particular things that they’re great at, and makes them different from one another. With all of that being said however, there is one player that stands above the rest for me.
As much as I love Embiid and how dominant offensively he can be on any given night, he gets hurt way too often for my liking. Wemby is great and will probably win rookie of the year this year. But, I need to see him next year and what sort of jump as a player he’s able to take so I can have a more reassuring view on his future in the NBA. Giannis, like I mentioned before, is the safest pick when it comes to this conversation purely because of not only his continued dominance as the best player on a championship caliber team, but also notching an MVP under his belt certainly never hurt his case.
However, I believe that the next face of the league will be Luka Doncic. I have no doubts that he’ll both one day be not only an NBA champion, but the MVP as well. He plays the game with such effortlessness, and manages to make every team he goes up against on any given night panic as they try to contain his offensive impact. There are many nights where I look at him play, and I think “yeah, there’s no one that can stop this guy in the league.” And I think that’s what it means to be the face of the NBA.
