The ‘Face of the League’ conversations with the 2025 NBA Finals just around the corner have come alive tonight. With Anthony Edwards dubbed the ‘Face of the League,’ questions have been raised about whether he deserves it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s exploits took the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals, and most people think he is the true ‘Face of the NBA.’
After winning the MVP for the first time in his career, he could propel the Thunder to win their first NBA title as a franchise based out of Oklahoma. Earlier, the Seattle SuperSonics won the championship. Technically, they have won, but it was in Seattle. But an OKC championship win feels like one of your own.
And this championship will probably answer those ‘Face of the League’ debates for Gilgeous-Alexander.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Discusses the ‘Face of the League’ Debate
In an interview with ESPN, Gilgeous-Alexander sat down with Malika Andrews to discuss the ongoing debate. SGA delivered an epic response: “To be honest with you, I really don’t know.” He looks locked in for the championship and doesn’t want to engage in fan debates. But he certainly had an opinion on the matter and burned some words.
“I can tell you in All-Star, you make the All-Star team, I can tell you, a world defender, you make the All-Defense team, I can tell you a world player, you can make the All-NBA team, I can tell you like an MVP, you get an MVP award, a championship, a championship. I don’t know how to define that one,” responded Gilgeous-Alexander.
It’s a simple response, but it makes a lot of sense. Most fans compare the award winners, and it rarely ends very well. Each player is talented in their respective fields and gets the necessary awards. And Gilgeous-Alexander certainly thinks it’s for the world to decide these matters.
He continued, “For me personally like, I think that’s one of those things, it’s almost like the Face of the league convo. It’s for the world to decide and their opinions, and they come together, I guess, as a collective. More people think you are a superstar, more people think you’re the Face of the league than not, and I guess you become that when you walk into it.”
“I think that’s one of those things, it’s almost like the face of the league convo. It’s for the world to decide.”
Whether it’s him or Hali, SGA says the superstar conversation is for the fans to debate 💪🏀 @malika_andrews pic.twitter.com/jzNObJ3nNy
— ESPN (@espn) June 4, 2025
Michael Jordan became the ‘Face of the League’ after leading the Chicago Bulls to two three-peats. Kobe Bryant became the ‘Face of the League’ for his unparalleled intangibles on the court. LeBron James became the ‘Face of the League’ because of his spectacular play on the court. Whether Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the Face of the league is up to him.
He remains as composed as ever, concluding, “But I don’t think it has a formula. It’s just like a feel thing. Me personally, it’s been trying to be the best where I can possibly be and hopefully one day win a championship.”
The 2025 NBA Finals start tonight as the teams get ready for the battle of supremacy and the ‘Face of the League’ tag between Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton, maybe?
