Changing of the Guard: Who Has Next?

It is truly a treat to watch my favorite basketball players compete on NBA courts.  Because I enjoy the game so much, I sometimes forget that my favorite player is not twenty-one years old anymore.  As many people say: “Father Time is Undefeated.”  It was difficult watching Michael Jordan when he played for the Washington Wizards because that player was not who I was accustomed to seeing.  He was no longer the freak-of-nature with a 48-inch vertical.  Instead, he was a ground-bound player who relied on instincts, superior footwork and experience much more than sheer athletic prowess.  That transition seemed to happen overnight because I still remember him making the game winning shot against the Utah Jazz to solidify his sixth NBA Championship.

Recently, Kobe Bryant—who is notoriously stubborn—has talked more and more about his basketball mortality.  I watched his interview with Ahmad Rashad last night and his comments regarding “life after basketball” signaled to me that one of the NBA’s greatest stars is almost done competing in the NBA.  Even the current king of the NBA—Lebron James—who is seven years younger than Kobe—has discussed his basketball mortality.  Hearing him speak about his mortality is even more of a shock to my system because he started playing in the NBA when I was still a student at UNC-Greensboro.  But, if I think about it for a moment, I have been out of college going on eleven years this May.   

From Jordan to Kobe

With every generation in the NBA, there is usually an unquestioned leader—usually the best player in the NBA.  During the 90s, this title belonged to Michael Jordan.  He won at the highest level and dominated the sport like no player—before or after him—ever has.  Most of the great players in the NBA have wanted to “be like Mike” at some point.  But, even the GOAT eventually had to relinquish the keys to the NBA.  There were plenty of guys who wanted the keys, but only one guy snatched the keys—and his name is Kobe Bryant.  He outlasted his contemporaries from the NBA draft class of 1996, which included Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Steve Nash and Stephon Marbury.  Now, Kobe is finally at the stage of his career where his body is failing him.  He is looking more and more like the ground-bound Michael Jordan who played for the Wizards. Although Kobe never really relinquished the crown; Lebron James snatched it a number of years ago.

From Kobe to Lebron

I remember watching a very young Lebron James battle with an in-his-prime Kobe Bryant.  Although Kobe usually had the better team, it was clear that Lebron was coming for the top spot.  Honestly, I believe he has had it since at least 2009, but some believe he did not snatch the crown until he won a championship.  Either way, Lebron has had a truly magical career and was the top player in the famed 2003 draft class—just like Kobe Bryant in his draft class.  The draft class of 2003 featured Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh.  It is weird seeing these guys transition into the last years of their respective primes.  I believe Lebron can hold the title for two to three more years as long as he does not have any major injuries.  But, there is a new crop of talented players who are pushing him for the top spot.

From Lebron to . . .

During the past few years, people have made the argument that Kevin Durant would be the next player to own the NBA.  However, this year, he has dealt with some injuries and Russell Westbrook has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate, which has caused some people to wonder if he is even the best player on his own team.  In my opinion, Kevin Durant is clearly the best player on his team, but he does not have the tenacity and nastiness that Westbrook possesses.  If Lebron can hold on to the top spot for two or three more seasons (which is possible), that would make Kevin Durant twenty-nine or thirty years old.  By that time, a guy named Anthony Davis will be approaching his prime, which is a truly scary thought.  That being said, Kevin Durant might be destined to be Clyde Drexler 2.0.  By that I mean that he will always be considered the second-best player in the NBA.    

If we discuss the other young players who have a chance to become the number one guy, we have to mention James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Stephon Curry, Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins. Any of these guys have the potential to become the top guy, but the question that remains is—who will snatch the keys?  Only time will tell, but we know for certain that a change in the guard is on the horizon.

Peace