Anthony Edwards Facing Backlash From Charles Barkley After Rough Game 4

As the league continues to progress and the superstars grow older, fans will be looking for the next player to succeed them. In recent years, some players have been anointed as the successors, and Anthony Edwards is one of them.

Unfortunately, Edwards has had some quiet performances on the biggest stage, which has led to This is a bigger story because they saw him as the superstar who steps up.

Barkley's Incendiary Thoughts On Anthony Edwards

Charles Barkley is always honest with his thoughts on Inside The NBA. While he is covering the Eastern Conference Finals for TNT, he did not hesitate to comment on what is happening with Edwards on the other side of the league.

He alluded to the discourse surrounding Edwards and his being anointed as the next 'Face of the NBA' by media members. Barkley did not like that tag being given to Edwards because he felt Ant-Man did not deserve it yet.

"OKC is the best team in the NBA. I've been telling you that for two months. Hey ESPN, I love you guys. Don't try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA," Barkley said on TNT. "The face of the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joker and Giannis. You can't give it to people, they have to take it, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it."

Those are some fiery comments because they erase Edwards from the conversation. It is a tough moment for the Timberwolves superstar, but at only 23, he has a bright future ahead of him as he continues to develop.

Edwards Will Continue Growing As A Star

Since he is still pretty young, Edwards has room to grow. He has been struggling against the Thunder's elite defense in the series, which is a hurdle he must overcome. That is what is required from a superstar and a supposed face of the league. 

He still has time to do that with a do-or-die Game 5 on the horizon. Edwards must step up and be aggressive. The former Georgia Bulldog already did that in Game 3, so he must show why he's a superstar in Game 5.

In the long run, Edwards should emerge as one of the league's best players. He is already arguably the best shooting guard in the league, and he will keep developing as the years go on.