LeBron James Is Still ‘Face of NBA,’ Claims Analyst After 76ers Dominate Opening Night & Christmas Day Games

Superstar LeBron James had put the league's schedule on hold when he was deciding on his next destination.

LeBron James Is Still ‘Face of NBA,’ Claims Analyst After 76ers Dominate Opening Night & Christmas Day Games

LeBron James is still the 'Face of the NBA' (Image via K PN/X)

Every year, hordes of naysayers line up in the regular season, playoffs, and the offseason to create the narrative that LeBron James is no longer relevant or important enough to be a contributing factor in a team’s success.

When he was the leading superstar on the Los Angeles Lakers, the playoff losses allowed those narratives to build over time. They even questioned whether the franchise should continue listening to him and paying him more than $50 million a year.

Then, when Luka Doncic arrived and James’ role changed to a second- or third-string contributor, those narratives received the boost they were looking for.

Once the season was over, those naysayers returned, suggesting that the organization should cut him rather than wait until he decides. When the four-time champion announced that he was leaving, and a slew of teams were revealed to be courting him, those critics created a new narrative that those organizations are better off without the headache James brings.

Those critics also claimed that the 41-year-old does not have the power he once enjoyed and was hoping more teams would come for him. Now, after the 2026-27 schedule was released, an analyst pointed out how they were all wrong.

Let’s not get this twisted. In 2026-2027, LeBron James is still the face of the NBA.

Evan Cohen said

The ESPN radio analyst made it clear that Adam Silver asking LeBron James to speed up his decision was the first sign that the league revolves around the superstar. Now, the league’s schedule is confirmation that the father of three is still the Face of the NBA.

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LeBron James’ 76ers land opening night and Christmas Day game prime slots

It so happens that Adam Silver knows a thing or two about who draws the most attention to the league. The data at his disposal speaks louder than anything any of LeBron James‘ critics have to say.

That is the reason why the league decided to give the Philadelphia 76ers prime slots on opening night and Christmas Day. His draw is such that the league believes it even outshines that of its newest champions, the New York Knicks.

The stage will be something out of a movie. A championship banner will be raised, rings will be handed out to all its players, staff, and even the franchise’s most ardent fans.

However, it seems the league knew that the only way they could maximize the night was if they had the four-time league MVP waiting on the other side of the court. His retooled and inexperienced team may lose to the connected Knicks. But his draw is enough to bring in millions of viewers.

The NBA may have lost the fight to garner the most Christmas Day viewers to the NFL. But that does not mean that they will stop trying. What better way than to help LeBron James face his old team, the Lakers, on a day when every fan will be at home watching? This was the league proving with its actions who they are prioritizing.

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LeBron James outshines Michael Jordan in viewership draw, claims analyst

LeBron James’ streak of Christmas Day games is something no other athlete can claim to have. Veteran analyst Colin Cowherd believes that the latest schedule proves the superstar has more draw than Michael Jordan.

Adam Silver and LeBron James
Adam Silver and LeBron James (Image via Hoops News/Fullcourtpass/X)

They weren’t putting Wizards games on when MJ was with Washington… LeBron is so reliable on Christmas he may team up with Rudolph next… Rolling Stones, maybe Paul McCartney, and LeBron- relevant and viable to the end…

Colin Cowherd said on The Herd

The 62-year-old claimed that the schedule gives an indication that both the Opening Night game against the Knicks and the Christmas Day game against the Lakers are going to garner the highest ratings. That proves how much James is ahead of Jordan, or any other athlete in sports history.

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