LeBron James was the face of the NBA for his entire 22 -year -old career and knows the territory that accompanies him.
James, 40, said he understood that the players did not want to succeed him because of the attention of the media that accompanies him.
“Why do you want to be the face of a league when all the people who cover our game and talk about our day -to -day game – on everyone?” James asked journalists after the Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
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The Los Angeles striker Lakers LeBron James (23) in the first half against the Denver Nuggets in Ball Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images)
“This responsibility – it’s just weird. It is a strange energy of people who … I don’t know.”
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards recently said that he didn’t want to be the NBA’s next face and just wanted to focus on basketball.
“Well, I am able to be this guy. But I don’t want to be this guy, say it like that. I want to be the guy to introduce himself and hoop and kill guys and go home,” said Edwards during the NBA All-Star weekend in February.
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The United States Guard Lebron James (6), goalkeeper Kevin during (7) and the guard Anthony Edwards (5) on the bench in the fourth quarter against Puerto Rico at the Paris 2024 Olympic Olympic Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY SPORTS)
James said he was completely understood where Edwards comes from.
“(Anthony Edwards) said he didn’t want it. I mean, obviously, I didn’t ask him; but I knew there was a responsibility for me – not only for my family, my friends, my community and anyone who was going to follow my trip throughout my career, not only to Ohio when I started there – but everywhere in America and everywhere in the world.”
“I have always taken this seriously and understood from the start what a professional is and being a model is a question of role … I feel like it. I understand. I understand perfectly. It’s just a strange energy when it comes to that.”
Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers striker LeBron James (23), famous with goalkeeper Luka Donnteic (77) during the second quarter against the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. (Images Jason Parkhurst-Imagn)
Many NBA fans want Edwards to be the next face of the NBA after James’ retirement, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.
But fortunately for Edwards, he does not have to worry about assuming this title, while James is still walking, productive like never at 40.
