When it comes to NBA stardom, there are levels to it.
When it comes to the hierarchy of NBA superstars, LeBron James is unequivocally at the top all by himself.
Team USA stars Curry (left), James (center) and Durant (right) have redefined the NBA for the last decade plusGetty
Right below are Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Rarefied air that only those three can sniff, as they have transcended beyond the game of basketball.
Those three are bigger than the game itself.
There’s NBA stardom and then there’s that.
Not everyone is James, Curry or Durant, which leaves room for the rest of the league’s stars.
But what exactly is the criteria to be seen as ‘an NBA superstar’.
Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed their criteria and what they believe it takes to be in that exclusive club of stardom.
“You gotta have your own shoe, major influence, commercials and a brand that people can gravitate to,” said Pierce, on the latest edition of him and Garnett’s podcast, Ticket & the Truth, KG Certified.
“The basketball is automatic. To be a superstar you have to be great at basketball.”
Garnett says it starts on the court and the makeup of the individual.
“To be a superstar, one you got to be able to get me a bucket,” Garnett said. “You cant call yourself a superstar if you can’t come in here and get a bucket.
Morant will be looking to reclaim his status as one of the league’s best young stars
“It starts with someone that has not just a crazy work ethic, but is a crazy leader that people want to follow and emulate.”
In summation, the requirement for being an NBA superstar, according to Pierce and Garnett is that they have to be able to get a bucket, be a leader, have their own shoe, star in commercials, have major influence and a brand people recognize and gravitate towards.
Only a handful of guys can check off all of those boxes.
And there is a certain forgotten somebody who is looking to remind everyone that he’s part of that club.
That he checks all of those boxes and is a true superstar.
He wears number 12 in Memphis.
Ja Morant is coming off a tumultuous last couple of seasons due to self-inflicted off-court drama and suspensions, and a season-ending shoulder surgery last year.
Morant is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery that saw him play in just nine games last seasonGetty
It has been a while since people have seen Morant play basketball.
He’s played in only 70 games over the last two seasons.
Poised to be the next face of the league, Morant lost his shine and moment due to questionable off-court decisions that eventually led to a 25-game suspension.
Insert Anthony Edwards who then seized the moment and vacuum left by Morant and has comfortably been able to thrust himself into the spotlight.
Well, the gravity-defying point guard in Memphis is back. And he will be looking to remind everyone just exactly who he is.
And why he can still be the face of the league
