Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and he once again made waves with his comments on the “face of the NBA” debate.
James initially addressed the topic on Thursday night following the Lakers’ 111-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he empathized with Anthony Edwards for dismissing himself as the league’s next marquee player.
Edwards Rejects the “Face of the League” Label
During NBA All-Star Weekend, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was asked whether he saw himself as the future face of the NBA. His response?
“No, not really,” Edwards quickly replied. “That’s what they got [Victor Wembanyama] for.”
Edwards’ remarks highlighted the hesitation that some of the league’s young stars feel about stepping into a position of immense scrutiny.
LeBron’s Take: Why Would Anyone Want That Pressure?
James, who has carried the face of the league mantle for over two decades, understands why some young stars might not want that responsibility.
“Channing Frye said it the other day,” James told reporters after the Lakers’ win. “It’s unfortunate, but like … why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis s–t on everybody? To have that responsibility, it’s just weird. It’s weird energy.”
James’ comments sparked a heated debate, with some agreeing that the media culture around the NBA has become too negative, while others pushed back, saying that being the face of the league comes with criticism, but also incredible rewards.
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LeBron Doubles Down on Social Media
A day later, on Friday, James took to X (formerly Twitter) to reinforce his stance, suggesting that the reaction to his comments only proved his point.
“Exactly made my point but anyways. Happy this convo has started.”
He then expanded his thoughts, making it clear that his issue isn’t about himself, but rather about how the sport is being covered.
“It ain’t about ‘face of the game’ and it ain’t about one person or one show, it’s about the culture of basketball, the most beautiful game in the world. Our game has never been better. Incredible young stars from all over the world and some older ones.”
Rather than dwelling on criticism, James wants more focus on the successes and growth of the sport, pointing out teams that have been thriving this season.
“Steph Curry should be all we are talking about today. Let’s discuss how great OKC and the Cavs have been this season with two completely different styles and break down why and how they have. Of course, if players don’t perform, we need to discuss that too and break that down.”
Addressing Negativity in NBA Coverage
James also acknowledged that criticism is part of the game, but believes the media’s approach can sometimes be overly negative, affecting both players and fans.
“This ain’t about me either. At this point, I don’t really care what’s said about me. It’s always something. This is about the impact the negativity is having on our beautiful game and our fans. I know I speak for a lot of players and, more importantly, a helluva lot of great fans that truly love and celebrate this sport around the world.”
James’ comments echo similar sentiments expressed by Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2023, when he pushed back against the idea that any season without a championship is a “wasted season.”
Can the NBA Media Landscape Change?
While James’ frustration with media negativity is understandable, the reality remains that the NBA will always have a face—and that player will always face scrutiny. The league thrives on superstars, and with that status comes intense coverage, both positive and negative.
Whether Edwards, Wembanyama, or another young star embraces the title of “face of the league”, the pressure that comes with it isn’t going away.
For now, James seems content to shift the conversation—even if he knows that not everyone will listen.
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