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LeBron James who is 20 years older than Facebook and was already being called ‘King James’ in high school, when Google was created, is winding down as he’s getting old and he was asked about the next ‘face of the league.’ This came in the context of Anthony Edwards recently speaking about being the next ‘face of the league’ and saying while he’s capable of being that dude it’s not a role he wants.
Anthony Edwards said this earlier this month over NBA All-Star Weekend. His full quote was “well, I’m capable of being that guy. But I don’t want to be that guy, put it like that. I want to be the guy to just show up and hoop and just kill dudes and go home.” Flash forward two weeks and LeBron James, the face of the league, has been on fire himself.
On Thursday night, LeBron had 33 points and 17 rebounds, carrying the Lakers to its 4th straight win after being the Wolves by 9. Following the game, LeBron James was asked about being the face of the league and here’s what he had to say:
LeBron:
"Why do you wanna be the face of the league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day to day basis shit on everybody? Obviously, I didn't ask for it. I feel Ant. I understand. This is weird energy when it comes to that" pic.twitter.com/TtlXp6w5KM
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 28, 2025
Stephen A. Smith Torches LeBron James’ ‘Face Of The League’ Comments
My dude, you had your PR team brand you as ‘King James’ when you were a freshman in high school. You were on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the tagline ‘THE CHOSEN ONE’ as a high schooler! C’mon, you asked to be the face of the league before you could even drive a car.
If you were reading through this and wondering ‘I bet Stephen A. Smith has some heated thoughts about this’ then you’re in luck. Following LeBron James’ face of the league comments, Stephen A. Smith opened his show by hyping up Steph Curry and clowning on King James.
Smith came out saying “That’s BS. I’m gonna call it as I see it, this is straight BS. I don’t appreciate what he said. This is fresh off from All-Star weekend; and All-Star weekend where LeBron James elected to show up but not participate. Don’t get me started with his 22 years in the league and how he ruined the slam dunk contest because he’s the first superstar that decided to not participate in the slam dunk contest.” Check it out:
Ultimately, these players and analysts live in a bubble. They are disconnected from the reality the rest of us live in. But Stephen A.Smith was spitting facts on Get Up today.