The NBA is a superstar-driven league.
We get to see players such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant dominate the league every season.
There is also Stephen Curry and James Harden, who are the premier superstar guards in the NBA.
Now it is time for the next generation of NBA superstars.
Who is going to be ready to take the keys of the NBA, once the older guys begin to retire?
The current young core of talented players is filled to the max.
Tons of players have the chance of becoming the next guy in the NBA.
However, let’s touch on the top three candidates to be the next superstars of the league.
As a note, Giannis Antetokounmpo is not on the list because he has won two MVPs and already cemented himself as an all-time superstar.
3. Nikola Jokic
This year’s MVP is going to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Jokic has had an historic season.
His career trajectory is pointing toward him being a great in NBA history.
His averages of 26.4 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, and 8.3 assists per game were spectacular.
At center, he has transcended his position.
The Nuggets have found immense success with Jokic as the franchise guy.
A player that was drafted in the second round turning into this is an extremely lucky occurrence.
Furthermore, Jokic has showed up in the playoffs once again.
Nikola Jokic is the first player to record 30 points and 50% shooting in each of his first 3 games of a postseason since Michael Jordan in 1992. pic.twitter.com/GpN6UaDtlp
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 28, 2021
He has dominated even without the athleticism or play that we see with other superstars in the NBA.
Jokic can be one of the faces of the NBA one day if he continues destroying teams like the way he is now.
2. Luka Doncic
The youngest player out of the three, Luka Doncic, has been phenomenal in his first three seasons in the NBA.
Luka has transformed the Dallas Mavericks into a legit playoff threat the last two seasons.
He has gone toe-to-toe with Kawhi Leonard during these two playoff appearances and has shown up.
His numbers throughout his first couple of playoff series are on a historic pace.
Luka Doncic has recorded 300 points through his first 9 career playoff games. The only other players with at least 300 points scored in their first 9 NBA Playoff games are Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (325 points each). pic.twitter.com/055BQGWhHt
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 29, 2021
However, he does need to win a series soon if he loses this season as well.
There is still time though to win.
He is a franchise cornerstone.
The Mavericks have found their franchise guy that could be on a Dirk Nowitzki level for the organization.
Also, the guy is 21 years old and is already in prime position to be an all-timer.
Luka can easily be a superstar in this league with how great he has been so far.
1. Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is on another level this season.
Looking at his Per 36 numbers, you can see the absurdity.
He averaged 33 points per game, 12.2 rebounds per game, and shot 51 percent from the field.
Embiid was the frontrunner for MVP before his unfortunate injury.
However, he has recovered and has dominated his first-round series matchup against the Washington Wizards.
The mastery of Joel Embiid.
1) scans court, recognizes double coming but it’s too far away, gets up an in-rhythm fadeaway to avoid.
2) very next play: scans court, recognizes imminent double-team defender is now cheating too close to him, the pass, cash. pic.twitter.com/7UW84LGO1U
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 30, 2021
Embiid is ready to take the reins and be known as the best guy in the league.
His potential to be a top 10 guy in the history of the NBA is prevalent.
He has the capability to own this league for the next decade.
Winning a championship this season can be the next step for Embiid and his superstardom.
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