By Rob Mason, PSO President of Sports Operations
Feb 13, 2021

THE NBA’S FUTURE IS AS BRIGHT AS EVER

LeBron James has been the face of the NBA for almost two decades now since entering the league in 2003. His reign atop the throne has to end at some point though, even though the King is still playing at a high level and currently the MVP favorite for the defending champs that are currently on a seven-game winning streak. 

However, once the “Chosen One” is no longer carrying his teams to championship contention, there will be an abundance of young players ready to take the torch. The most likely trifecta to claim that premier position appears to be Giannis Antetokounmpo, who already has 2 MVPs and a DPOY award, Luka Doncic, a guy that stuffs stat sheets unlike any player at this age after coming over as a European MVP, and Zion Williamson who’s unprecedented athletic capabilities has him off to the most efficient start of a player’s career in NBA history. 

Nikola JokicJa MorantJayson TatumTrae YoungKarl-Anthony TownsJoel EmbiidBen SimmonsDevin BookerDonovan MitchellZach LaVineJaylen BrownBam AdebayoJamal MurrayDe’Aaron Fox, and LaMelo Ball have all shown flashes of MVP-caliber play before turning 26 years old and seem to be fixtures in the NBA throughout the 2020’s. 

The future was flashed right in front of fans’ eyes on Friday Night when Luka went off for a career-high 46 PTS to overcome Zion’s career-high 36 points on 14-15 FG. Even Kristaps Porzingis and Brandon Ingram each dropped 30+ PTS as it marked the first time in NBA history where four players age-25 or younger all recorded 30 points or more in the same game.

This is just the beginning. The amount of high-quality talent that is coming into the league isn’t stopping anytime soon with a stacked class set to enter in 2021 plus one of the most hyped prospects ever in Emoni Bates on the cusp of reaching his dreams to play in the NBA in the near future as well. 

King James has been an incredible leader for the league, and when his time is up, no matter who takes over as the ‘face’ of the game, there will be exciting competition every night loaded with some of the most athletic, talented, and skilled players the game has ever seen. The future of the NBA is as bright as it’s ever been.

COLORS KEY | FULL PELICANS FUTURE OUTLOOK
 

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

  • Zion had the most consecutive FGM (14) without a miss in the paint since Hakeem Olajuwon (15) in 1998
  • Luka is the 1st Mavericks player with 45+ PTS/10+ AST in franchise history
  • Luka and Kristaps are the 1st pair of foreign-born teammates to score 35+ PTS each in the same game
  • Luka, Kristaps, Zion, and Ingram are the 1st 4 players all under 26 years old to score 30+ PTS in the same game
  • Luka & Zion are the 2nd pair of opposing players each 21 or younger to both score 35+ PTS in the same game ever
  • Zion is the 1st player to record 10+ FGM without a single miss during the 1st half of a GP in Pelicans history
 
DAL vs. NOP: DAL -140 (Spread -3)
DAL Stock Price: $8.38
  • Luka’s career-high highlights

  • Highlights from Zion’s efficient night

  • Full game highlights of Mavs vs. Pelicans

 

 

Share this with friends and follow for more great sports content!