Anthony Edwards Disses Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic for Not Taking All-Star Game Seriously

Anthony Edwards and his fellow Americans had to face a World team at the 2026 All-Star game comprising of the best international players.

Anthony Edwards Disses Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic for Not Taking All-Star Game Seriously

Anthony Edwards calls out Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Anthony Edwards criticized Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic for not taking the All-Star Game seriously.
  • He expressed concern over the narrative that international players are better than American players.
  • Edwards stated that defeating the World team was the most satisfying victory of the weekend.

This season, Anthony Edwards and his fellow NBA All-Stars were going to take part in a new format designed to boost competition among players.

The lack of was the biggest grumbling point among fans and members of the media alike. For years, the loudest voices have been calling for players to respect the game and the event.

Some even suggested doling out million-dollar fees or prize money as incentives to push the superstars to perform better, as their lackluster effort in recent years was touted as the reason fans had no interest in the weekend’s festivities.

Even a new format did not work last season, forcing the league to throw it out of the window and rethink its strategy. It became clear that no amount of influencers and entertainers was going to help bring back fans.

Before the debut of the new USA vs. World format, Kevin Durant stirred the pot when he made it clear that American players were always asked about competing in the All-Star break. His understudy, Anthony Edwards, seemingly agreed.

No shade towards Luka and Jokic, but like they two of the best players in the league, they not tryna play in the All-Star Game.

Anthony Edwads said on NBA TV

The 24-year-old was replying to a question about what the players needed to compete. It seems he, too, believes that the two European superstars, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, are the ones who take it casually.

Anthony Edwards does not ‘like’ World team talking about beating USA players

It does not take long for Anthony Edwards to draw in his opponents, as he does not care much about consequences. However, what he cares about is the narrative that has been in the works in the past few years, that International players are better.

Anthony Edwards and his fellow USA Stars after winning the All-Star game
Anthony Edwards and his fellow USA Stars after winning the All-Star game (Image via New York Post/X)

I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all, but I see where they come from, they got Jokic… I don’t like it. I see where they are coming from, they got Jokic.

Anthony Edwards said

This was the Georgia native’s response to Carmelo Anthony while talking about what he needed to do to help his country stay on top. For someone who was in the thick of the battle against the International teams at the Paris Olympics, he has first-hand experience.

He made it clear he knows that the foreign players are making all the noise and could potentially beat the Americans at their own game. But thankfully, for the young superstar and his fellow countrymen, they managed to keep the win in their country.

Anthony Edwards preferred winning against World team over the OGs

Many have already labeled Anthony Edwards the ‘legend killer’ after defeating teams led by the three OGs, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant in the playoffs.

Now, after defeating them again in the All-Star championship game, a reporter asked the Timberwolves superstar which win gave him the most satisfaction this weekend.

Probably beating the World team. They say they are the best players in the world. Beating them is the best feeling in the world.

Anthony Edwards replied

It seems Edwards has continued to echo the message he has been conveying all throughout this All-Star weekend. He preferred to shut down all the narratives about the World team defeating the Americans.

The Georgia Bulldog had earlier praised Victor Wembanyama for setting the tone and pushing the Americans to do better. However, that push was all Edwards needed to put them in their place.

It seems this format has managed to bring out competition among players who otherwise are notorious for taking this entire weekend’s events casually.

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