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[Saba Sports News] Charles Barkley isn’t ready to crown Anthony Edwards just yet.
During TNT’s pregame show for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Barkley and the “Inside the NBA” crew discussed not only the Knicks-Pacers matchup, but also the narrative surrounding the Western Conference Finals on ESPN.
Barkley took issue with ESPN’s apparent push to make Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards the new face of the league.
“Hey ESPN, I love you guys,” Barkley said. “Don’t try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA. 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 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it.”
Barkley’s comments came one night after Gilgeous-Alexander dominated in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, posting 40 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 128-126 win over Edwards and the Timberwolves. Edwards, by contrast, had just 16 points on 13 shot attempts.
To be fair, Edwards is still only 22 and in his fifth NBA season — three years younger than SGA, who needed five seasons before earning his first All-Star nod. Edwards already has three All-Star selections under his belt.
Still, with SGA now an MVP winner and in title contention, Barkley believes the Thunder guard — along with Jokic and Antetokounmpo — currently leads the league’s next generation of stars. Edwards may have the tools to join them soon, but for now, Barkley says the spotlight should remain elsewhere.