Lakers superstar LeBron James is one of the faces of the NBA for more than two decades.
He does not blame the rising star Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves so as not to want this label to applied him.
“I feel like it,” said James Thursday evening after Lakers’ victory 111-102 over Minnesota at Crypto.com Arena. “I understand. I understand perfectly. There is this strange energy with regard to this.”
At 23, Edwards is already a triple all-star of the NBA as well as an Olympic gold medalist as James teammate in the American national team. Not generally one to hide from the spotlight, Edwards was recently requested during a Stars weekend Press conference if he considers himself a future possible face of the League.
“No,” said Edwards. “Not really.”
Find out more: The Luka Doncic rumor mill: Mavericks can be motivated to dirty the new laker with beer, hookah jabs
When asked why Edwards replied: “This is why they got“Referring to the second year of San Antonio Spurs Star Victor Wembanyama.
Later, during an NBA television interview, Ant-Man clarified his position.
“I am able to be this guy, but I don’t want to be this guy“Said Edwards.” Another it like that. I want to be the guy to introduce himself and make hoops and kill guys and go home. »»
Former NBA player Channing FryeWHO won an NBA title with James And Cleveland riders in 2016 recently observed on the issue while appearing on the “Road Trippin ‘” podcast, saying that “Nostalgia kills the NBA. “”
“Each great player, whether Ant, Wemby, Bron, you know, Steph (Curry) – You know (to whom they compare them to? A mother – (who played) 40 years ago, “said Frye, referring specifically to the old school players Michael Jordan And Kobe Bryant.
Find out more: Magic Johnson or Stephen Curry, who is the best leader? Michael Jordan weighs
“No one celebrates these new people, so why will the F-someone want to be the face of the league when You will get S— Sur, on each network In order not to be someone 40 F -ING years ago? It’s ridiculous. It’s unfair. “”
James referred to his former comment from his teammate on Thursday.
“I mean, Channing Frye said the other day … Why do you want to be the face of the league when all the people who cover our game and talk about our daily game, on everyone?” “Said James.” It’s just weird. It is a strange energy of people who – I don’t know, but Channing, he said it perfectly. I couldn’t say it not better. “”
James added to the position of having the most profile of the league: “Ant said that he did not want it. Obviously, I did not ask for it, but I knew that there was a responsibility for me, not only for my family, my friends, my community and anyone who was going to follow my trip throughout my career. …
“I have always taken this seriously and understood from the start what a professional was and being a model, so I tried to keep this with the greatest respect and honor.”
Find out more: Charles Barkley reminds JJ Redick, the Lakers dismissed Frank Vogel, Darvin Ham: “You are just a dead man who works”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.