Molly Qerim caused a division of opinions and some controversy with comments she made about the NBA. The First Take host on ESPN shared her thoughts on who will be the new face of the National Basketball Association.
Qerim openly discussed what she believes will happen when legends like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry retire from the NBA. She strongly supports one of the Boston Celtics’ biggest stars as the league’s future icon.
A modern face for the NBA
That player is Jayson Tatum, a 26-year-old who has stood out in the NBA for his talent and skills on the court. He has won an Olympic gold medal, an NBA championship, and has been an All-Star six times. However, he has not felt the level of media support he desires.
Molly Qerim on Jayson Tatum potentially being the next face of the NBA:
“I feel like [the next face of the NBA] is Jayson Tatum… I mean look how many commercials and everything… so I don’t really understand the disrespect. I think he’s this generations face of the NBA” pic.twitter.com/465lUJ87jn— 𝙟𝙗 (@lockedupjb) February 28, 2025
Regarding this, Tatum told The Washington Post in February that he doesn’t feel appreciated:
“If you took away the name and face from all my accomplishments and just said, ‘This is what Player A has achieved by age 26,’ people would talk about me very differently.”
Molly Qerim decided to discuss that interview on First Take. In fact, she stated that he will be the next face of the NBA, succeeding LeBron James. “I feel like it’s Jayson Tatum… He wants to be remembered, eventually, alongside the greats like Kevin Durant, LeBron, and Steph Curry.” “I mean, look at how many commercials and everything. So I really don’t fully understand the lack of respect,” the host added.
A debate on social media
First Take analyst Shannon Sharpe supported Qerim’s opinion:
“I don’t know why people can’t support him as one of the faces, if not the face, of the NBA… We keep trying to push other guys to the forefront, and none of them are as successful as he is… In terms of winning, and he’s been winning since he entered the league… I think he’s underrated. But to me, it’s still LeBron,” Sharpe said.
Qerim and Sharpe’s comments sparked a wave of mixed opinions on X (formerly Twitter). Most users showed support for the show’s hosts. Some of the most notable reactions included:
-
“I think he is the face of this NBA generation.”
-
“He’s good, but he’s not the face, bro, lol.”
-
“If Tatum is the face of the league, NBA basketball is done.”
