Skip Bayless Labels Anthony Edwards ‘Can’t Man’ After Another Embarrassing Performance in West Finals

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was expected to continue his Game 3 performance for the rest of the West Finals.

Skip Bayless Labels Anthony Edwards ‘Can’t Man’ After Another Embarrassing Performance in West Finals

Skip Bayless christens Anthony Edwards 'Can't Man' after Game 4 embarrassment (Image via FirstSportz)

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves had everything going for them up until they reached the Western Conference Finals. Winning against all-time greats and championship-winning teams does build up confidence in oneself and the team.

That confidence was visible, and many fans and members of the media quickly proclaimed that Edwards and his Wolves would book a ticket to the NBA Finals. But the first two games shredded those prediction notes to pieces.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Oklahoma City Thunder obliterated the Wolves in both the first games to get a comfortable series lead. Now the pressure was on the latter, and Edwards rose above all to help his team obliterate their opponents.

The job was not done, and many felt that they needed to continue playing that way if they were to win. But tonight, the Thunder came back with a mission. They throttled the 23-year-old superstar and his teammates throughout the game to win Game 4, 128-126.

Once again, Ant Man was Can’t Man when it mattered most. Tell me I’m wrong.

Skip Bayless wrote on X

This was Oklahoma native and longtime analyst Skip Bayless, who believes this playoff series proved to him that Anthony Edwards was not what many proclaim him to be. Aside from his Game 3 heroics, Edwards’ struggles in this game were a continuation of his overall performance in the series.

That is what prompted Skip Bayless to reiterate the new nickname for the Minnesota Timberwolves star. He does not believe the Atlanta native has what it takes to go the next step and become the best player in the league.

Anthony Edwards had a woeful shooting night

After Game 3, many felt Anthony Edwards had brought the focus and drive back into his game. His 30 points in 30 minutes were as good as he could get. The Oklahoma City Thunder were aware that he was in for, and they had to figure out how to stop him from continuing to shoot lights out.

They allowed him to get into space, but closed down quickly from all angles. They know he has developed a penchant to shoot from outside this season. That is why they chose to use defenders who could unsettle his shooting rhythm early on.

That resulted in him shooting 1/7 from the perimeter. They also held the Olympic gold medalist to just 4 points at the half, concentrating on him at the expense of allowing his teammates wide-open shots. That plan worked to perfection, and Edwards finished with just 16 points to show in 41 minutes of play.

Thunder’s game plan revolved around stopping Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle

The Oklahoma City Thunder were the best defensive team in the league for a reason. They can defend from anywhere on the court, and can throw players in knowing they will execute what they are asked to do.

Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards struggled mightily in Game 4
Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards struggled mightily in Game 4 (Image via Polymarket Hoops/X)

The away team knew that Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are the two most important scorers on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Taking them out would give the other’s open looks. The Thunder were willing to take the risk of giving other Wolves open looks, especially since they would not shoot as consistently as either of those top dogs.

The Thunder used their defensive awareness to throttle both those star players. Edwards scored just 16, and Randle finished with an embarrassing 5 points. That is 21 total points from their two best scorers, and it should be noted that 8 of those points came from free throws.

That could point to either of two things. Either the Thunder were exceptionally good defensively. Or the two star players just could not rise up to the challenge. Whatever the reason is, they need to figure out how to get going if they still want to battle for the NBA title.

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