Charles Barkley: ‘Don’t try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA’

[BleedGopher]

It’s an elimination game Wednesday night for the Timberwolves.

Is it also a reputation game for their 23-year-old star, Anthony Edwards?

That depends on who you ask. But if you choose outspoken TNT commentator Charles Barkley, the answer appears to be “yes.”

On Tuesday during the Eastern Conference finals, he had this to say about Edwards and how ESPN (which is carrying the Western Conference finals) is building him up.

“Hey, ESPN, I love you guys. Don’t try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA,” Barkley said. “The face of the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joker [Nikola Jokic] and Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. You can’t give it to people, they have to take it. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it.”

That’s big-time company, considering those three players have combined to win six of the last seven NBA MVP awards. It would be foolish to suggest Edwards is on that level, nor should he be considering he is three years younger than SGA and seven years younger than the other two.

On the brink of elimination, Edwards, Wolves need to have the same resilience they've shown all season

5 things to watch for ahead of Timberwolves-Thunder Game 5

www.startribune.com

Howl Wolves!!

 

[TruthSeeker]

This "face of the NBA" talk is such a stupid, media driven story. They just want to fill airtime.

The NBA can't force anybody down the public's throat. It's all about who the fans like and accept. It happens organically.

Michael Jordan wasn't the man until the early 90's. He built the foundation when he was younger by being an elite player who was charismatic and made jaw dropping plays. Once he started to win championships is when he completely blew up.

SGA is a great player, but he's dull, his game isn't flashy, and people don't embrace floppers. He'll never be an NBA idol.

Jokic's problem is he's not from North America, so the accent and so forth prevents him from connecting as well with fans. If Jokic came from anywhere in the United States or Canada, he'd already be the guy.

Edwards could be that guy some day, but he'll have to earn it. Then, he'll be the guy organically, until the media gets bored and tries to tear him down from the pedestal. They always do that.

 

[upnorthkid]

This "face of the NBA" talk is such a stupid, media driven story. They just want to fill airtime.

The NBA can't force anybody down the public's throat. It's all about who the fans like and accept. It happens organically.

Michael Jordan wasn't the man until the early 90's. He built the foundation when he was younger by being an elite player who was charismatic and made jaw dropping plays. Once he started to win championships is when he completely blew up.

SGA is a great player, but he's dull, his game isn't flashy, and people don't embrace floppers. He'll never be an NBA idol.

Jokic's problem is he's not from North America, so the accent and so forth prevents him from connecting as well with fans. If Jokic came from anywhere in the United States or Canada, he'd already be the guy.

Edwards could be that guy some day, but he'll have to earn it. Then, he'll be the guy organically, until the media gets bored and tries to tear him down from the pedestal. They always do that.

yep. they tried to make it tatum and he was just incredibly corny and seemed not authentic. Luckily they still have Lebron to carry that torch for now. Jokic isn't outgoing enough and would rather race horses or he could be. SGA is the epitome of boring and you aren't going to be the face of the league when you're being called a FT merchant. Doncic will have a chance now that he's in LA as I think he probably has the charisma, but he will be too polarizing.

Other guys like Haliburton have enough swagger to make a name for themselves but you have to be good enough and have enough personality to do it. It's pretty hard to "hate" Ant or Hali which is why they're going to be forced in front of people's faces provided they have enough team success to do so.

 

[Just Gopher It!!]

Interesting perspective

Why Anthony Edwards Is Struggling vs. Thunder

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