As LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003, he had the legacy of Michael Jordan to live up to. Now, after two decades, the relentless debates persist. However, when talking about James’ impact, it is easy to say that he has wholeheartedly embraced being the face of the league, consistently raising the bar for excellence among his peers. As he enters the twilight of his NBA career, there has been ongoing speculation about who will assume the mantle.

When confronted with this question, Adam Silver promptly said, “I would never anoint another player to be the next LeBron James”, drawing parallels to the post-Michael Jordan era. Instead, Silver expressed optimism about the current landscape of the NBA, attributing it to the vibrant younger generation of players. He underlined the fantastic state of basketball, noting the surge in international talent that has enriched the league globally.

Silver’s comments don’t diminish the legacies of Jordan or LeBron; instead, they highlight the league’s recent growth. According to Silver, modern-day players haven’t been anointed but have demonstrated their eligibility by showcasing talent to the league. Additionally, he recognizes that while fans and media may speculate on the next face of the league, the abundance of talent suggests that future stars will naturally emerge. Silver believes that the density of talent within the NBA can organically shape the league’s future.

Adam Silver hints at new NBA teams

Adam Silver is confident in the basketball specimen of the younger talents in the league. With that, he recently addressed the rumors about the NBA expansion, entertaining the idea as the all-star break approached. For some time, there has been a buzz that the NBA might introduce a team in Las Vegas, a notion Silver supports by placing Vegas at the top of his list.

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Over recent years, Las Vegas has evolved into a sporting hotspot. It gained a Formula One circuit last year, welcomed the NFL’s Raiders in 2019, and even hosted the 2024 Super Bowl.

However, Silver attaches a deadline to this speculation, pointing to internal discussions coinciding with the conclusion of the NBA’s television deals at the end of the next season. With that, soon, Silver’s focal point lies in the television deals; especially with the entry of streaming giants like Apple and Amazon into the fray. Moreover, while there are no remarks from Silver yet, a significant number of fans have expressed their desire for a team to make its home in Seattle, fueled by nostalgic memories of the iconic Seattle SuperSonics.

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