One of the hottest topics in the NBA in recent days involves the future face of the competition. There are many talented players right now that could take that title and become the biggest figure in the association, trying to open new doors for a league that is bigger than ever.
Young stars like Jayson Tatum, LaMelo Ball, Trae Young, Ja Morant, and Luka Doncic are expected to play for this honor, but in recent times, we've seen Morant and Doncic being compared to each other, while people try to pick a winner between them.
Kendrick Perkins named them both on his list of candidates to become the face of the league, adding Young and Tatum to the mix. During a recent edition of his show, “Swagu and Perk," the 2008 NBA champion discussed this topic with Marcus Spears. Perkins apparently didn't expect Spears to pick Doncic over Morant, but he did and explained why he's siding with the Slovenian player on this debate (9:20).
"My guy is Luka, and the reason why, don't get it twisted, I'm a Ja fan. I wanna go see Ja before I see Luka. Let me say that. Entertainment value-wise, I wanna go see Ja before I go see Luka. But I can't because of what Ja does, aerodynamically, because of how high he can jump and fly... This is what I think, I'm kind of projecting, I'm looking down the road. Luka's 6'8". Let me start there, Luka's physical. And Perk, the one thing I love about Luka Doncic more than anything, he always plays the game on his terms. And that's how I determine players. That’s the one thing I always felt about LeBron [James], I always felt about Kobe [Bryant], like MJ [Michael Jordan]. I was young watching MJ, I didn't really have a great understanding of basketball, but I knew he was great and I knew he dictated not only pace but how the game would be played. I see that from Luka,” Spears said.
This conversation will always be controversial. There are many players who can take over the league and replace LeBron James as the face of the league for many years to come. Besides these players, other stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and more could take that honor. Time will tell which one stands out the most in a league with a big competition.
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