Charles Barkley Calls Out ESPN for Attempts to Christen Anthony Edwards as Face of the NBA

Anthony Edwards was billed to take on the mantle of the Face of the NBA after obliterating LeBron James and Steph Curry in the playoffs.

Charles Barkley Calls Out ESPN for Attempts to Christen Anthony Edwards as Face of the NBA

Charles Barkley wants ESPN to stop harping on Anthony Edwards (Image via FirstSportz)

The NBA is at a point where they have to move on from veteran superstars such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry. But fans are still waiting for either one of Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or any other young star to take the mantle.

Some members of the media were billing the Minnesota Timberwolves star as the obvious choice. He had both an electrifying game as well as the swagger to be a face that can captivate the hearts of fans worldwide.

Then, when he defeated James and Curry and their respective teams in back-to-back playoff series, their logic gained a lot of traction. Now they waited for him to continue that momentum and willed his team on to book a spot in the NBA Finals.

In the Western Conference Finals, Edwards has had a lackluster outing, and some started to question his drive. Even though he came back firing in Game 3, his poor Game 4 performance played its part to contribute to a 1-3 series deficit. Charles Barkley now wants all ‘Face of the NBA’ talk surrounding him to stop.

Hey ESPN, I love you guys. Don’t try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA. The face of the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Joker, and Giannis. You can’t give it to people; they have to take it, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it.

Charles Barkley said on Inside the NBA

His point was that ESPN should stop trying to make Anthony Edwards or anyone the Face of the NBA. He believes that those who are worthy will snatch the crown from the veterans. Currently, he believes that Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on his way to snatch that crown.

Anthony Edwards can still prove Charles Barkley wrong

In the West Finals, Anthony Edwards delivered a good performance in Game 1, but it did not impact the win/loss column. Game 2 was an out-and-out stinker from the 23-year-old. Game 3 was spectacular, and it helped the Minnesota Timberwolves win.

Anthony Edwards has had a poor West Finals so far
Anthony Edwards has had a poor West Finals so far (Image via Open Source/X)

Game 4 was again a stinker by his standards, but the Olympic gold medalist’s defiance suggests he is trying to shake it off from his mind. If he does manage to do so and then comes back to dominate the remaining games of this series, it could be the best answer he has to quell Charles Barkley’s doubts.

Edwards can cement himself as the Face of the League if he manages to lead his team to upset the favorites. Even if he does not win the NBA Finals, he will have banished all the doubts that he cannot step up to the big stage consistently.

Former No. 2 overall pick throws Tyrese Haliburton’s name into the ring

The battle to be the next Face of the NBA was down to Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Even though Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton were battling on the other side, some, such as Stephen A. Smith, claimed that the latter was not a superstar. To this, Jay Williams cited his Game 4 performance to counter that.

Oh, I’m sorry—did I miss the memo where 32-15-12 with ZERO turnovers in 38 minutes isn’t elite anymore? If that stat line doesn’t scream “superstar,” what exactly are we watching, Stephen A. Smith.

Jay Williams wrote on X

Williams thinks Tyrese Haliburton should be considered a superstar after becoming the first-ever player to record those numbers in the NBA playoffs. That screams of a different kind of superstar, instead of the usual recipe that involves high-flying dunks and electric crossovers.

If the television ratings are anything to go by, Williams might have a point. That is because neither Edwards nor SGA is drawing the same number of viewers as Haliburton is in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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