It has been over 21 years since LeBron James was drafted into the NBA, and still, the NBA community has not found its way to the next face of the league, apart from his pal, Stephen Curry. Well, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards have been the big names in the past months, also making it to the Team USA roster. JT secured the 18th league title for the Celtics last season after 16 long years. However, despite not winning a ring yet, Ant-Man has taken on the buzz of the league’s next face. Wondering why?

Fox Sports analyst, Rob Parker dug deep into the issue. While discussing the superiority of Anthony Edwards over Jayson Tatum, Rob Parker said, “There’s a degree of wanting to see somebody or interested in watching somebody play or the style of play that I don’t think he [Tatum] has and he’s a tremendous basketball player. He’s not glib, he doesn’t say anything. He just does his job.” 

However, Parker’s co-host on ‘The Odd Couple’, Aaron, had the words to convey Rob’s opinion better when he explained, “The guy that people are trying to promote is the next face of the NBA right now, Anthony Edwards. What does he have the exact opposite?”

“One, he’s got the flashy plays, the big dunks, the big block, but he’ll also talk smack, he’ll clap in your you know he’s dunking on Kevin Durant clapping, and he hasn’t won anything.” It does sit well with Anthony Edwards‘ description since his superhuman blocks, along with dunks flying through defenses, reflect his showmanship. On the other hand, Tatum is the one to only do the job.

That’s why Rob Parker thought “Tatum was not elevated anywhere” even after his Championship status. Moreover, his exclusive presence is not being felt in Team USA, since he did not deliver any kind of impact performance in the exhibition games. Even in the last game against Germany, Tatum only scored 4 points and 6 rebounds, while Bron scored about 20 points, with 11 of them coming in the final minutes.

With that being said, is the Laker still the epicenter of the basketball world at 39? Rob’s co-host Aaron confessed, “I think LeBron still moves the needle. People care about him and I think it is a shame on the NBA for not figuring out who that next guy is.” Though he later confessed to the eventual result of Ant-Man taking charge, but not anytime soon.

Can Jayson Tatum get the crown LeBron James has over Anthony Edwards?

Forget the decades and forget the trophies for now. With the kind of impact that LeBron James had on the exhibition games itself, there is undoubtedly no better crown for LeBron than King James. Some fans go with Anthony Edwards’ name- marking him as the X factor, but he is still 22, and quite young to hold that status. Importantly, he’s still yet to lead the Timberwolves to the NBA Finals.

However, Jayson Tatum, despite being in the heart of his prime at 26, along with an NBA title, is surprisingly still not considered the face of the league. Triple Gold Olympic winner Carmelo Anthony weighed in, saying, “The reason why we put Anthony Edwards there is because of his aura. I want JT. If JT had that aura, it’s over on and off the court.”

At the young age that Anthony Edwards is, the ‘NBA face’ is too much of a responsibility. Overall, the league has now not got the poster boy package that it can run. There are chances that the Timberwolves’ leader might take LeBron’s seat over the years. However, if Tatum brings that game-dominant self that he lacks, this debate might be over sooner than expected.

What’s your stance on it? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.