Recently, the debate over the NBA’s most representative player has sparked controversy. The role comes with intense criticism, making it a highly discussed topic. Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas weighed in on the discussion and shared his perspective on who the face of the league is. He also made a surprising comparison and brought LeBron James into the conversation.
“Jayson Tatum is the face of the league. When you talk about him negative, compared to his actual resume.This is not the 80´s and the 90’s where we made our superstar look good. For the last 20 something years, it has been a negative thing on the face of the NBA. Whoever got bashed the most didn’t even think about it. He is the face because we pretend his resume is not his resume. So, we want tear him down,” stated Gilbert Arenas on his show.
Few question Jayson Tatum’s talent. This season, he is averaging 27 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists for the Boston Celtics. For years, he has led the Celtics’ offense and consistently showcased his ability. However, being the face of the league comes with challenges. Many players have struggled with the pressure that comes with that role. Even LeBron James has spoken about its negative impact.
Gilbert Arenas compared Tatum’s situation to LeBron James, who has faced criticism for years: “When LeBron leaves, who is the most hated? Who is next in the line to be the most hated player? Jayson Tatum,” stated Gilbert Arenas on his show.
Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the third quarter during their game against the Charlotte Hornets
Despite leading Boston Celtics on deep playoff runs and emerging as an MVP contender, Tatum often faces more scrutiny than praise. Many focus on his flaws rather than his accomplishments. For Arenas, this level of criticism signals that Tatum is becoming the new face of the NBA.
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Celtics are the most disrespected NBA champions of all time, says former Boston player
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum admits feeling unappreciated for his NBA accomplishments
Jayson Tatum has been one of the NBA’s most impactful players in recent years. However, he is rarely mentioned in discussions about the league’s best player each season. Tatum believes his achievements often go unappreciated.
“If you took the name and the face away from all my accomplishments and you’re just like, ‘This is what this Player A accomplished at 26,’ people would talk about [me] a lot differently,” stated Jayson Tatum.
