The Minnesota Timberwolves trail 3-1 in the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and automatically, there are doubts regarding Anthony Edwards’ tag as the ‘Face of the League.’ After he lost the crucial game, Edwards admitted he didn’t struggle throughout the game despite scoring 16 points.
Questions will come in rapidly about his ability to lead the team, as there is a perception that he’s the next Michael Jordan or the next Kobe Bryant. But as days go by, it hardly seems the case. Analysts around the corner spoke of Edwards’ entitled tag, and Kendrick Perkins dissected the entire debacle.
The Box Kendrick Perkins Wants Anthony Edwards To Check for the ‘Face of the League’ Tag
With the guard not demonstrating what he’s capable of in Game 4, Perkins appeared in an episode of First Take to question Edwards’ mentality and ability to become a role model like his peers. Considering everything, Perkins expressed what he should do to become the league’s best player.
Perkins mentioned, “You gotta check the boxes when you’re the face of the league. Yes, we know you gotta have your signature shoe. You’re gonna be in commercials. You’re gonna have the highlights, and you’re gonna have the game. But you know what else you gotta have? You gotta be a role model. And things outside the lines matter.”
Kendrick Perkins on Anthony Edwards:
“You gotta check the boxes when you’re the face of the league…Bird, Magic, MJ, Kobe, Shaq, LeBron, Steph… they all were family men. They all were married with kids.”
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/yxZbcaTzLr
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 27, 2025
Becoming the face of the league is far more than having your shoe deal and the other situations Perkins mentioned. Despite having everything, Jordan went into the game with an elite mentality. It symbolized grit, passion, and a never-give-up attitude, which transferred to most young guns, like Bryant, who modeled his game by looking up to MJ.
Perkins continued, “Now, if you go down the list of all the faces in the league in the history of the game, you look at Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, LeBron, Steph, what did they all have in common? While they were playing in the league, they all were family men. They all were married with kids.”
Thus, being the league’s leading man has its responsibilities, and it’s challenging to become a role model, as Edwards also needs to check all the right boxes off the court. Interestingly, just days back, Perkins had showered Edwards with praise regarding the Face of the League.
“I feel like Anthony Edwards is a championship away, Finals MVP away, from us saying he’s the face of the league. He has the commercial. He has the charisma. He has the personality. He has the game. He has the highlights…His stock will go through the roof. He will be the next face of the league, dethroning Steph Curry and LeBron James,” Perk had said.
In the playoff series against the OKC, Edwards’ numbers, however, don’t paint a pretty picture.
Timberwolves Need Edwards to Fire Big in Game 5
In the Western Conference Finals, Edwards averaged 24.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, and although it’s not shoddy, those numbers don’t tell the real story. In Game 1, he scored 18 points, and in yesterday’s game, he scored 16.
Apart from Game 3, Edwards’ three-point shooting numbers have fallen drastically, averaging 31.3% after putting up 39.5% in the regular season.
Hence, for the Timberwolves to get back in the series, there’s only one thing they can do: Hope and pray Edwards rolls his socks up and puts in three spectacular performances for the next three games.
MORE: 2025 NBA Mock Draft Following Shocking Lottery Results
