Face of the League since MJ

[Mr.Kite]

before 98 - MJ

99-2004 - Shaq

2005-2011 - Kobe

2011-present - durant

Seems right

[SouBeachTalents]

http://www.themarsreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lebron-james-new-troll-face-27-in-a-row.jpg

[Mr.Kite]

http://www.themarsreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lebron-james-new-troll-face-27-in-a-row.jpg

when?

[aj1987]

before 98 - MJ

99-2004 - Shaq

2005-present - LeBron


Seems right
Fixed.

EDIT: Sam, I know you're a MJ stan and all, but can you post a smaller image?

[Marchesk]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/0521/nba_g_harden_d1_576.jpg

[Kvnzhangyay]

when?

2009-2013

[SamuraiSWISH]

EDIT: Sam, I know you're a MJ stan and all, but can you post a smaller image?
It wasn't intentional, so don't get your panties in a twist. Only faces of the league have been Bird / Magic, Jordan, and LeBron. Not Shaq, not Duncan, and not Kobe.

[Marchesk]

It wasn't intentional, so don't get your panties in a twist. Only faces of the league have been Bird / Magic, Jordan, and LeBron. Not Shaq, not Duncan, and not Kobe.

But not Jerry West, Dr J, Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Cousy, Mikan before then?

[Mr. Jabbar]

before 98 - MJ

99-2004 - Shaq

2005-2011 - Kobe

2011-present - durant

Seems right

pretty much

[SamuraiSWISH]

But not Jerry West, Dr J, Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Cousy, Mikan before then?
Not sure, wasn't around then. Neither were you.

Bird / Magic saved the league.

Jordan pushed it to the highest stratosphere, influencing a generation of extremely popular wannabes or derivatives.

And LeBron has created re-newed interest in the game from the casual fans perspective after the dark ages of the early to late 2000s. That describes in essence what the face of the league should be.

[aj1987]

Not sure, wasn't around then. Neither were you.

Bird / Magic saved the league.

Jordan pushed it to the highest stratosphere, influencing a generation of extremely popular wannabes or derivatives.

And LeBron has created re-newed interest in the game from the casual fans perspective after the dark ages of the early to late 2000s. That describes in essence what the face of the league should be.
What about the period between MJ and LeBron?

[PsychoBe]

Not sure, wasn't around then. Neither were you.

Bird / Magic saved the league.

Jordan pushed it to the highest stratosphere, influencing a generation of extremely popular wannabes or derivatives.

And LeBron has created re-newed interest in the game from the casual fans perspective after the dark ages of the early to late 2000s. That describes in essence what the face of the league should be.

so not when kobe and shaq three-peated, or when kobe dropped 81, or won back-to-back titles, or was voted player of the decade by fans before he repeated? or outscored the mavs in three quarters, or won mvp? or could prove he could win without shaq when they said he couldn't? or when several players/gm's/coaches called him the best player in the world?

such dark times :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Straight_Ballin]

It wasn't intentional, so don't get your panties in a twist. Only faces of the league have been Bird / Magic, Jordan, and LeBron. Not Shaq, not Duncan, and not Kobe.

So who was the face of the league from 98-08?

[SamuraiSWISH]

So who was the face of the league from 98-08?
I don't think there truly was a singular face of the league to generate interest in that time period.

Shaq was the most dominant, Iverson had a cult following, Duncan and Kobe were the most consistent players in that frame. But didn't have the popularity or marketability to be the face of the league.

Casual interest in the league plummeted after MJ left. It wasn't on the upswing again until the 2008 Celtics formed, and then LeBron headed into his prime ... left for Miami. Since then the NBA has seen huge viewing numbers.

[Straight_Ballin]

I don't think there truly was a singular face of the league to generate interest in that time period.

Shaq was the most dominant, Iverson had a cult following, Duncan and Kobe were the most consistent players in that frame. But didn't have the popularity or marketability to be the face of the league.

Casual interest in the league plummeted after MJ left. It wasn't on the upswing again until the 2008 Celtics formed, and then LeBron headed into his prime ... left for Miami. Since then the NBA has seen huge viewing numbers.

I agree but then again.....I was sporting an AI jersey.