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Charles Barkley Calls Out ESPN Over Anthony Edwards Narrative

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated May 27, 2025 10:27 PM ET

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has quickly risen to stardom over the last few years. At 23, he’s already a three-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection, and has led the Timberwolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals.

He’s also steadily increased his scoring average each season. This year, he put up 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

With Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James now 40 and nearing the end of his career, a big question around the league has been who is the next face of the NBA. Back in February, Anthony Edwards was asked if he sees himself as a candidate for that title. He pointed instead to San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.

"Nah, not really," Edwards said. "That's what they got Wemby for."

That sparked discussions amongst the media, with several ESPN analysts pushing the narrative that Edwards is the NBA’s next face.

Before Tuesday’s Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, TNT’s Charles Barkley called out ESPN, saying, "Don't try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA."

"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, Joker, and Giannis. You can't give it to people, they have to take it. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken it."

"Hey ESPN, I love you guys. Don't try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA. 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 has taken it."

-Charles Barkley calls out ESPN pic.twitter.com/TAadAEHGet
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 27, 2025

All three players Barkley mentioned have won an NBA MVP: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2024–25), Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (2020–21, 2021–22, and 2023–24), and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (2018–19 and 2019–20). Meanwhile, Edwards has yet to win the award.

That's not to say Edwards can't or won't in the future but that's what Barkley thinks up to this point.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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