LeBron James knows the immense pressure of being the NBA’s face, and he’s warning Anthony Edwards that the spotlight comes with a heavy burden.
Having been the face of the NBA for the past two decades, LeBron’s time at the top is winding down, and someone will need to step up.
Edwards is already considered one of the league’s top players at just 23, but he’s not interested in being called the “face of the NBA.”
Edwards Shuns the Spotlight
At just 23 years old, Anthony Edwards is already as a leading candidate to take over.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves, he’s led the team to the Western Conference Finals and earned three All-Star selections since being the top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The potential to be the league’s next superstar is there, but it seems he has no interest in stepping into the spotlight.
“I’m capable of being that guy. But I don’t want to be that guy,” Edwards told the NBA TV crew. “I just want to show up, play, dominate, and go home.”
LeBron Understands the Pressure
LeBron has earned championships, MVPs, and broken the all-time scoring record. He’s embraced being the league’s face, but it comes with pressure and high expectations.
For 20 years, LeBron has been in the public eye, with every move scrutinized by the media, both good and bad. At 40, he can handle it, but it’s not an enviable role.
“Why would you want to be the face of the league when everyone just tears you down?” LeBron asked.
After two decades in the spotlight, LeBron has faced plenty of criticism. Recently, he was criticized for sitting out the All-Star game and delaying his decision to not play.
