Anthony Edwards’ $50,000 fine for ‘d**k’ comment at Crypto.com tickles NBA fans

Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards had a war of words with a Lakers fan during Game 1 at Crypto.com Arena.

Anthony Edwards’ $50,000 fine for ‘d**k’ comment at Crypto.com tickles NBA fans

Anthony Edwards (Image via NBA/X)

The Minnesota Timberwolves wrested the Los Angeles Lakers’ first home court playoffs advantage since 2012 with a game 1 win. Anthony Edwards and co negated a sub-par first quarter performance with 96 points in the next three periods. Minnesota now has the advantage in the series and can seal it at home if they win game 2. Edwards also produced an amusing moment for NBA fans while driving the team to a win.

The 23-year-old heard a Lakers fan in the lower bowl chirping at teammate Rudy Gobert. The three-time All-Star proceeded to have a war of words, quoting Gobert’s contract to the fan in question. After pocket-watching Gobert’s $300 million career earnings, Edwards registered one of funniest soundbites between an athlete and a courtside fan in recent memory, bragging about the size of his genitals, caught on camera.

YouTube video

Edwards probably knew that commissioner Adam Silver would spot the interaction on social media and order him to be fined. This knowledge did not prevent him from having one of the funniest bits of athlete banter we can recall in recent memory. However, the cheque has now arrived at his main door as the NBA brought the hammer down on him. Insider Shams Charania reported that Edwards has been fined $50,000 for his NSFW words and actions.

The fine has elicited some hilarious reactions from fans leaguewide. Edwards is being hailed for his unabashed trash talking demeanor.

The thing that makes Edwards is his unabashed, unfiltered attitude towards everything around him. As a 23-year-old Atlanta native, Edwards is way more relatable to the average man at the barbershop than more uncontroversial, soft-spoken superstars. It’s the reason why many people believe he would make a great face of the NBA, in addition to his competitiveness and his talent level.

Magic Johnson believes Anthony Edwards is the biggest X-Factor in Lakers vs Timberwolves

Five-time NBA champion and former Lakers GM Magic Johnson predicted that the Lakers would beat the Wolves in six games. He also hailed Anthony Edwards as the most watchable NBA superstar in the league. For him, the key to the Lakers winning the series was winning the team’s matchup with Edwards.

Johnson’s prediction is shrouded in doubt following the Lakers’ game 1 capitulation. According to Johnson, the team lacked the defensive urgency they needed to beat the Wolves. Johnson also blamed head coach JJ Redick for missing adjustments and allowing the Wolves to crack the game open. He pointed out the Lakers’ lethargic defensive rotations and energy as the main reason why Minnesota got so many open looks.

It is now up to Luka Doncic and co to prove Magic Johnson right and wrest control of the series. Containing Edwards will still be the top priority for the team. However, they also need Austin Reaves to turn up on both ends of the floor. Reaves will often be matched up with Edwards, meaning that he would be responsible for the most important player on the floor. Winning that matchup will absolutely be key to either team’s victory.