SAN FRANCISCO — Steph Curry and LeBron James, the 2 defining gamers of the previous 20 years of basketball, met for the 53rd time Saturday night time at Chase Middle.
For many years, they’ve carried the league on their shoulders, squaring off in a number of the most dramatic NBA Finals 4 years in a row and taking the sport to new heights with their personalities and enjoying excellence.
They’ve received 32 mixed All-Star choices, eight rings and 4 MVP awards. Even at 37 and 40, respectively, they rank first and second in jersey gross sales this yr. Their matchups stay essentially the most anticipated within the sport; the Warriors and Lakers’ Christmas Day recreation was the most-watched common season recreation in 5 years.
So, what occurs to the NBA each time they’re completed? There’s a myriad of expertise all through the NBA, however there must be at the very least some concern at NBA headquarters in Manhattan concerning the subject.
“I think the league’s in a great place with the next generation of stars,” Lakers coach JJ Redick stated earlier than the Warriors-Lakers recreation. “I do think that there is a significant responsibility for those players, and it’s a burden. It requires a high level of ownership to be one of or the face of the league. Those guys have done it and carried it, and we’re all beneficiaries of that, to be honest with you.”
The “face of the league” idea is nebulous, however significant even when it’s laborious to outline.
Magic Johnson and Larry Chicken saved the league within the Eighties and Michael Jordan and the Bulls dynasty made the sport extra mainstream than ever.
The identical yr Jordan retired (for good), James got here into the league as a teenage phenom. Billed as The Chosen One, he delivered on all of the hype after which some.
With that stroke of cosmic luck, the metaphorical baton was handed.
Even with that pure handoff, the league struggled by way of some lean years within the early 2000s. With as a lot hand-wringing as at the moment’s model of play will get from the plenty, video games then had been typically low-scoring and depending on isolation ball. Small markets like San Antonio, Detroit and New Jersey made Finals runs.
As Curry and James ultimately fade within the subsequent few years, a brand new famous person must emerge. Tv rankings this season are barely down — and that’s with the Warriors and Lakers nonetheless related.
Nikola Jokic is the perfect participant within the recreation, however prefers to remain out of the highlight. Victor Wembanyama is essentially the most jaw-dropping, however he’s solely 22 years previous and will not really contend for championships for years. Shai Gilgeous Alexander is vying for an MVP and Joel Embiid has received one. None of these gamers are American born, which, traditionally, is a prerequisite for the face of the league moniker.
Jayson Tatum is the perfect participant on the defending champion Boston Celtics, and he ranks third — behind Curry and James — in jersey gross sales this yr. He’s on a traditionally nice profession path, however anybody who watched the Netflix sequence “Starting 5” is aware of his low-key demeanor could not translate to cultural enchantment.
“The reality is you get to be the face of the league when you win, and win at the highest level,” Redick stated. “That’s who becomes the face of the league. There are certain players who have won and could be the face of the league, and they don’t want it. And that’s okay. There are certain guys. Look at the history of the NBA, they didn’t want to be the face of the league. That’s okay. The people that want to carry that burden, that responsibility — someone will step up. I have no doubt.”
Till they’re completed, Curry and James put on the mantle. It’s most likely not even a burden for them — they’re used to it by now.
Notable
– Kyle Anderson returned after lacking 4 video games with gluteal bursitis. Lakers wing Rui Hachimura missed the sport with left calf soreness. Dorian Finney-Smith began in his place.
– Quinten Submit, after two straight productive nights, remained in Golden State’s rotation. The Warriors anticipate groups to regulate to his floor-spacing expertise by defending the two-way rookie with perimeter gamers.
– Jonathan Kuminga isn’t near coming back from the numerous ankle sprain he suffered three weeks in the past, Steve Kerr stated. Kuminga is out of the strolling boot, however nonetheless hasn’t completed any significant on-court work. He has taken stationary pictures, however his ankle continues to be closely taped as he recovers.
