carolinakid
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Apr 28, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center.© Provided by Awful Announcing
Expect there to be lots of hand-wringing over the next several weeks as the NBA Playoffs reaches the second round. For the first time since 2005, the conference semifinals will be without LeBron James, Steph Curry, or Kevin Durant. Without those megastars, the NBA could be looking at an NBA Finals and Conference Finals that struggle in the ratings.
Those ratings are already down a tick through the first round thus far, and it could keep heading in the downward direction. Especially considering the teams left in contention in the Western Conference (Denver, OKC, Minnesota, LAC, Dallas), it’s hard to see a team or player that could provide a significant draw that would crossover to the mainstream. The Timberwolves or Thunder aren’t exactly the Lakers when it comes to branding, after all.
But if it’s a bump in the road on the way to establishing the next generation of star players, it might be worth the short-term sacrifice for the NBA.
A huge talking point this season has been the lack of a clear successor to James as the next face of the Association. It seemed like it was ESPN’s mandated topic du jour around the NBA All-Star Game, as if the league will fold unless it can predetermine its next iconic figure like we’re in Game of Thrones or Succession. It even devolved into weird takes about how marital status should enter into the equation.
Could it be Anthony Edwards? Jayson Tatum? Shai-Gilgeous Alexander? Joel Embiid? A European star like Luka or Joker? Maybe even Victor Wembanyama?
Instead of trying to prognosticate or pull a rabbit out of a hat, why not let the stars decide for themselves? That’s the golden opportunity this postseason might provide.
Edwards has taken pole position in some circles with comparisons of his game to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. His series-clinching dunk over Durant against the Suns is his first huge postseason statement. More heroics against the defending champion Nuggets in Round 2 would plant the flag for his stardom.
SGA and the Thunder swept the Pelicans to easily advance to Round 2 as the top seed out west. If only it wasn’t for that darn AT&T commercial, SGA would be the prime candidate given his fashion appeal. Tatum and the Celtics are easily dealing with the Heat in the East, but Boston’s #0 has gone missing too often in big games in the past and failed to stamp his authority in his lone Finals appearance.
And then there’s arguably the biggest star so far this postseason – Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks. Finally leading the Knicks on a deep playoff run with his heroics could be a launching pad for his career. But with the Sixers winning Game 5 on the road in New York thanks to Tyrese Maxey’s epic performance, who knows if he even makes Round 2.
The number of possibilities that exist for the next great NBA star to take the reins should be exciting for basketball fans everywhere. Will the league, its fans, and the talking heads in sports media be patient enough to let it play out organically?
