“You can’t give it to people” — Charles Barkley calls out ESPN for making Anthony Edwards face of the NBA after devastating Game 4 performance | NBA News
Face of the NBA? Of course, Minnesota Timberwolves standout Anthony Edwards’ name pops up, but his recent Game 4 performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder raised some serious questions. Doubters, fans, and analysts quickly dismissed the long-standing claim that Edwards was the face of the NBA. NBA legend Charles Barkley was brutal in his criticism as he straightaway suggested two big names who deserved the unofficial accolade.
Charles Barkley dismissed Anthony Edwards’ face of the NBA (unofficial) accolade
Charles Barkley didn’t hold anything back Tuesday night when he took aim at ESPN for what he sees as the premature crowning of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards as the next face of the NBA. Speaking live from Indiana ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Pacers and Knicks, the Hall of Famer issued a stern reality check.“Hey, ESPN, I love you guys. Don’t try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA,” Barkley said on NBA on TNT. “The face of the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, [Nikola Jokic] and Giannis. You can’t give it to people, they have to take it, and [SGA] is taking it.”That statement came just hours after Edwards had one of the most underwhelming games of his playoff run, scoring only 16 points in the Timberwolves’ heartbreaking 128-126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. His 5-for-13 shooting night, including 1-of-7 from deep, stood in stark contrast to the performance delivered by Gilgeous-Alexander, the newly crowned 2025 MVP.In that same Game 4, SGA proved why Barkley holds him in such high regard. The Thunder guard poured in 40 points, grabbed nine boards, dished out ten assists, and snagged a steal, leading OKC to a 3-1 series lead. While not flawless from the field (13-of-30 shooting), his presence was undeniable and decisive.Despite Edwards’ rising profile, he’s a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team member, and has led Minnesota to back-to-back Western Conference Finals. His recent struggles, however, raise questions about whether he’s ready to lead the league both on and off the court.Back in February, when asked if he saw himself becoming the face of the league in the post-LeBron James era, Edwards responded with humility, saying, “Nah, not really. That’s what they got Wemby for.” His answer surprised many and seemed to contradict the ESPN-driven narrative that he’s next in line.Also Read: Anthony Edwards is rewriting NBA playoff history with insane Game 4 numbersOf course, Barkley’s message wasn’t anti-Edwards; it was a reminder of what it takes to truly earn that status. The players he named, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have all taken their moment, backed it with MVPs, and proved it on the biggest stages.
