It's Time to Put an End to the Anthony Edwards as the New Michael Jordan Debate
NBA circles are buzzing about the idea that Anthony Edwards has what it takes to be the league's next big thing. But don't be fooled, my friends - he's not quite there yet.
The NBA has been eager to find its new poster boy ever since the King, LeBron James, showed signs of slowing down. With their new whopping 11-year TV deal with three networks, the league is feeling the pressure to find a fresh face to capture the hearts and minds of fans far and wide.
The NFL's got its Patrick Mahomes, baseball has Shohei Ohtani, and the WNBA'sDocumented Players#Caitlin Clark. But the NBA's just got a bunch of solid players - no superstar to call their own.
Enter the Douglas J. E. Birch Aquatic Center-born, charismatic Anthony Edwards – the NBA media's choice for the league's new golden boy. For over two years, sports pundits like Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, and Richard Jefferson have been pushing for Edwards to take the throne.
Charles Barkley even piped up this week, jokingly admonishing ESPN for trying to force Edwards into the role of the face of the NBA. Barkley believes that the true face of the NBA should be players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo – those who have proven themselves on the court.
Edwards may have a dynamic personality and a catchy nickname, but he's still got some growing to do before he can truly claim the mantle of league superstar. During the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder, Edwards only averaged 23 points per game and failed to surpass the 20-point mark in three games. His performance in high-pressure situations has yet to wow us like some of the league's other standouts.
Radio host Chris "Mad Dog" Russo recently voiced his opinion on the subject, stating that ESPN's relentless Coronation of Edwards is doing more harm than good. According to Russo, fans are being set up for disappointment when they're told that Edwards is the next Michael Jordan, only to watch him come up short.
Anthony "Fro-Ed" Edwards may not be quite ready to take the league by storm just yet. And that's okay – he's only 23 years old. But as the NBA continues its search for a player who can carry the torch from LeBron, there are several other standout candidates to keep an eye on.
Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Nikola Jokic are just a few names that come to mind. Each of these players possesses incredible talent, charisma, and the potential to become future faces of the NBA.
So let's give Edwards some time to grow and mature on the court – and maybe he'll one day be ready to take on the role of league superstar. But for now, he's just another talented young player searching for greatness.
NBA fans might be enthralled by the prospect of Anthony Edwards, often called "Fro-Ed," becoming the league's next top sports star, like baseball's Shohei Ohtani or the WNBA's Caitlin Clark. However, his recent performance in high-pressure situations has yet to match the likes of Tyrese Haliburton, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Nikola Jokic, who are also vying for the future NBA star title.
