Who is going to be the new face of the NBA?
80) Congrats to the Boston Celtics on the 2024 NBA Championship. Also some thoughts on the state of the New York Knicks
We have leaned heavily into NBA talk the last couple of weeks at - Josh off the Press
There are a few things I want to share about the NBA, today. (Separated by 3 parts, I-on the Celtics championship, II-on a new face of the league & III- on the NY Knicks)
I. Congrats to the 2024 NBA Champion Celtics on Banner #18!
The 2024 champions are a likable group, despite being from Boston. I’m also glad I don’t need to edit out PART III of the most memorable NBA Champions, where I said that this Celtics team reminded me of how the Lakers won their first of 3 straight championships in 2000 with Shaq and Kobe.
I have heard that this Celtics team should more likely be compared to the 2004 Champion Detroit Pistons. That’s a fair assessment. This Celtics team is a consummate “Team” much in the same way the Pistons were twenty years ago.
BTW - The Pistons were written about as Team #23 in PART II of “Most memorable Champions”
The Celtics shocked casual fans of the NBA by taking out a super-duper star in Luka Doncic, and one of the most recognizable faces of the league in Kyrie Irving.
If you really want my “expert analysis” on how the Celtics completely overwhelmed the Mavs, I will write a special post on it “insider edition”, just for you in the coming days.
II. Who will be the new face of the League?
Having recently written about Jerry West, as one of the greatest NBA Legends who literally impacted nearly every decade of this league’s existence going back to the 1960s; It has gotten me thinking more about this era of basketball we are in now. The mid-2020s is leading us into a new realm where the new torch bearers of the NBA have not been clearly defined as of yet.
This is partially due to the longevity NBA players now have, compared to prior decades. For example, Dwayne Wade had a hall of fame career that lasted 16 years. In any other era but this one, that was a very long career. Now people wonder why his career wasn’t as long as some of his contemporaries. LeBron James is about to enter year 22. Kobe Bryant played 20 years, Tim Duncan played 19, and Dirk Nowitzki played 21 years (just to name a few).
With names like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant all still active Super Star level players, the new generation still has been waiting their turn. Well, that and arguably the four best players in the game right now, all are not American born. (Jokic, Luka, Giannis & Embiid). The most exciting young player entering year two in the league, is not American born either.
Ja Morant auditioned for the “Top Dog” in the League, but his personal life has negatively impacted that, and injuries haven’t helped either. SGA is a tremendous player for OKC, and he does have a cute commercial with his running mate (Chet Holmgren), but I’m not sure he has the gravitas or charisma that the face of the league typically generates.
This is why people are hopeful for Anthony Edwards. But, there are still a number of unanswered questions about him and his fit.
Is Minnesota the best market for him? Is he mature enough to handle all of this? Has he laid a foundation for himself and his brand that translates into the most optimum outcome the way LeBron James and his team has largely perfected?
Time will only tell.
BTW - I’m not saying its right that NBA media and fans don’t celebrate our international players as much as our home-grown guys. I’m just saying the NBA media sure wants everyone to look for the “Next (American) Guy”.
III. What’s going on with the New York Knicks?
Not to state the obvious, especially to Knicks fans who actually have followed the team up close for more than a decade:
But, Jalen Brunson has already done more for the Knicks and meant more to this franchise than Carmelo Anthony ever could.
I wrote about the Knicks making round 2 in the 2023 postseason. I did not write about it in 2024, because the expectations are higher now for us Knicks fans.
I was also recently featured in an article about the Knicks and superstitions. To sum up what I told the reporter;
Despite some of the Knicks most recent success, I honestly do not think they have even been good enough for me to get all superstitious about their chances.
“They just haven't been that close, that's part of the problem,” said Josh Jacobs, 42, a diehard Knicks fan and school teacher” - Charles Lane “The Gothamist” https://gothamist.com/news/as-ny-knicks-fight-through-playoffs-fans-test-the-magic-of-their-gameday-rituals
Consistently winning in the first round of the playoffs is nice and everything, but we Knicks fans want the hardware! And so does Jalen Brunson. This was him after losing to the Pacers in Game 7 of the second round in this 2024 postseason.
Here was Carmelo Anthony’s assertions after losing to the Pacers in 6 games in round two of the 2013 playoffs.
@carmeloanthony: "I'm still excited about what's to come...We right there as a team." #Knicks
— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) May 20, 2013]
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1646050-biggest-takeaways-from-new-york-knicks-exit-interviews
Dan Fevale, the reporter for this specific bleacher-report article (from 2013), prefaced Melo’s quote with this bit of analysis on the state of the Knicks team after their most successful postseason run in over a decade.
Barring unforeseen events of epic proportions, the Knicks don't have the money or assets necessary to add significant pieces to their complicated puzzle. But Carmelo Anthony doesn't care. He's still excited about what's to come. - Dan Fevale (Bleacher Report - May 20, 2013)
Favale apparently had a better pulse on the team than Melo did back then. The Knicks never made the playoffs again until 2021. Melo remained on the team for four more (mostly agonizing) seasons after their successful 2013 postseason campaign.
For the record, Carmelo Anthony does deserve his number retired by the Knicks. He also is almost certainly going into the hall of fame as a Knick. This is especially so, since the Nuggets gave Jokic Melo’s jersey number.
Still, in my lifetime, there is no Knicks era quite like the 1990s one when Patrick Ewing was the face of the team. If Jalen Brunson brings home a championship for the Knicks, that certainly would change things quite a bit.
I’m honestly not sure how close Brunson really will get to accomplishing this ultimate goal, however. The Knicks franchise has had a tortured history over the past 50 plus years since last winning the title in 1973.
I would love to be optimistic about the Knicks and their chances, but maybe I am more superstitious about them than I lead on.
Peace and blessings, everyone!
-JPJ