Shannon Sharpe wonders if relationship status should be requirement to be face of NBA

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With LeBron James in Year 21 as an NBA superstar, a debate topic about the next face of the league took center stage during ESPN’s "First Take" on Tuesday. 

And panelist Shannon Sharpe brought interesting criteria to the group about what it might take to be the next face of the NBA.

"What about relationship status?" he questioned. "Magic [Johnson] and [Larry] Bird was married. LeBron was in a relationship with Savannah. How do we look at it? Because when we look at presidential candidates, we look at candidates, we want them to be secure. We want them to be foundational pieces."

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to drive around Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Houston.  (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

The rest of the "First Take" panel couldn’t believe Sharpe brought this up. 

"I’m not gonna lie, I don’t know what the hell you’re asking," Stephen A. Smith said. 

But host Molly Qerim interjected.

"I know what you’re saying like the ‘First Lady of Basketball,’" she said. "They would say Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry, and we know them. The example, the role models. I get what you’re saying."

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Former NBA sharpshooter-turned-analyst JJ Redick brought up Smith’s and Sharpe’s podcasts outside of their daily spot on the ESPN debate morning show, where they go off in "really strange directions."

But Redick explained why he feels marital/relationship status doesn’t matter for the face of the league. 

Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry