Stephen A. Smith has one significant prerequisite for the next face of the NBA, they have to be an American-born player.
At 40 years old, LeBron James has been the face of the NBA for longer than anyone could have predicted. Anthony Edwards already rejected the offer, leaving the door open for other candidates. And as the NBA continues accepting resumes for its next star to carry the torch held by Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and James in recent decades, Smith boldly claimed foreign-born players need not apply Tuesday morning on First Take.
“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”
(h/t @BASKETBALLonX )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 18, 2025
“I don’t believe an international player can be the face of the NBA,” Smith said as Shannon Sharpe nodded an agreement. “I know they’re global iconic figures, they’re popularity extends globally. But the NBA is an American-born sport. And it needs to resonate in America. And if it doesn’t resonate in America, then it’s not gonna matter to America how you resonate beyond.”
While not as controversial, this take certainly bears a resemblance to Smith claiming Shohei Ohtani shouldn’t be the face of Major League Baseball because he uses an interpreter during interviews. Nearly four years later, Ohtani is undoubtedly the face of baseball and hasn’t been hampered by his interpreter. Well, except the fact that his former translator embezzled millions of dollars from him, but his popularity hasn’t been hampered.
There’s an easier path for an American-born player to become the face of the NBA. Fans are more likely to be invested in players who are covered locally at a young age in college or even high school. But that’s not to say an international player in the NBA can’t do what Shohei Ohtani has done in Major League Baseball.
Are we to believe Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum can become the face of the NBA, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić can’t? Maybe Smith is ignorant to just how popular international players can be in the United States. Or maybe Smith is right, which might say more American sports fans. But it seems like the NBA’s issue in establishing the next face of the league is less about where a player is born and more about the fact that LeBron James is still playing. And so long as LeBron is playing, it will be impossible for anyone else to surpass his status. American-born or not.
