Stephen A. Smith asserts that the next face of the NBA must be an American-born player. At 40, LeBron James has held this title longer than anyone could have anticipated. Although Anthony Edwards has declined this role, leaving the opportunity open for others, the NBA is still on the lookout for its next star to carry the legacy established by icons like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and James. On First Take this Tuesday morning, Smith confidently stated that foreign-born players need not apply.
“I don’t believe an international player can be the face of the NBA. I know they’re global iconic figures, their popularity extends globally, but the NBA is an American born sport”
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“I don’t believe an international player can be the face of the NBA,” Smith reiterated while Shannon Sharpe nodded in agreement. “I know they’re global iconic figures, their popularity extends globally. But the NBA is an American-born sport, and it needs to resonate in America. If it doesn’t resonate here, then it won’t matter how you resonate beyond our borders.”
While his viewpoint may not be the most contentious, it echoes Smith’s earlier claims regarding Shohei Ohtani’s eligibility as the face of Major League Baseball due to his use of an interpreter during interviews. Despite these assertions, Ohtani has risen to become the face of baseball, unaffected by language barriers, save for the financial woes stemming from his former translator’s misconduct.
American-born players typically have a more straightforward path to becoming the face of the NBA, as fans often connect with athletes who are featured locally from their college or high school days. However, this does not imply that international players cannot achieve comparable success in the league, akin to what Ohtani has accomplished in MLB.
Should we disregard the potential of Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum becoming the face of the NBA in favor of dismissing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić? Perhaps Smith underestimates the popularity of international players in the U.S., or maybe he’s tapping into a broader sentiment among American sports fans. Ultimately, the NBA’s challenge in identifying its next star appears less about the player’s birthplace and more about LeBron James’s enduring presence in the league. Until he retires, it may be insurmountable for any player—American-born or otherwise—to eclipse his status.
