First Take Driving Wolves Bandwagon: Declares Anthony Edwards > Luka and LeBron

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Anthony Edwards, LeBron James - Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers - NBA Playoffs - Round 1
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves are headed back to Los Angeles with a 3-1 series lead over the Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. With one more win, Anthony Edwards & Co will end the Lakers’ 2024-25 season.

J.J. Reddick pulled a Tom Thibodeau on Sunday and used just his five starters for the entire second half. James and Doncic have played out of their minds for most of this series, yet they cannot keep up with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, who have one of the deepest rosters in the league.

Kendrick Perkins says Minnesota Timberwolves have the better star

In the Timberwolves 116-113 victory on Sunday Anthony Edwards poured in 43 points while shooting 52% from the field. Former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins made his performance a talking point on First Take Monday. He sees a clear advantage for Minnesota over the Lakers and Luka.

“Watching the 4th quarter [in game 4], I saw what Nico Harrison was talking about when it comes down to why he traded Luka. He traded Luka because he felt the Dallas Mavericks were not going to be able to win a championship with Luka.

I didn’t feel that way watching the game, looking at Anthony Edwards. I’m saying to myself, Anthony Edwards is going to win a championship before Luka Doncic. Anthony Edwards is built different. Anthony Edwards is a better all-around basketball player than Luka Doncic.

Now, I could come here and blame JJ Redick, rightfully so, for the minutes he played LeBron James at 40 years old. But like I said, Luka is young. He should have been able to play those 24 minutes straight. Anthony Edwards did, and Anthony Edwards thrived in those minutes.

When I look at what he’s done, and what he’s doing, not only did he send [Kevin Durant] home last year, he sent (Nikola) Jokic home last year. He’s now about to send LeBron and Luka home this season, because [the Wolves] are going to win this series. And think about this for a second, in the next round he could possibly be facing Steph Curry.”

Kendrick Perkins – First Take

While the Lakers were still licking their wounds from the comeback defeat by Minnesota on Sunday, it was head coach J.J. Reddick whining about a no-call at the podium. Doncic stepped on the foot of Jaden McDaniels and lost the ball.

Lakers and their fans can keep crying

Anthony Edwards was also given key free throws as the result of LeBron James hacking him on the wrist. The future Hall of Famer said that the hand should be part of the ball. That probably excludes the wrist. Of course, all this this has LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Lakers fans, Dallas Cowboys fans, and New York Yankees fans all big mad.

They’re even mad at Anthony Edwards for his blunt physicality against LeBron in game four. But really, they’re upset at their imminent reality. They cannot hang with the Wolves. They know it… and Ant knows it. But just in case, he’s been letting them know verbally too, something that NBA pundits like Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins cannot get enough of.

“This man is just built different. He defends his ass off. He wanted smoke with LeBron. He wanted smoke with Luka, that’s what I like, he wanted smoke with Austin Reeves. I look at Anthony Edwards and I say, that is a top five player in the game today. TODAY!

If I’m starting a franchise, yes we know we have Jokic, we have Giannis, we have those guys. But dammit, you better not overlook Anthony Edwards.”

Kendrick Perkins – First Take

While a player like Luka is capable of stuffing the stat sheet every night out, his mentality and dedication to being a well-rounded basketball player is not the same as Anthony Edwards’. Don’t get me wrong, Ant has plenty of growing up to do, both on and off the court, but at 23 years old, his killer mindset is different.

Doncic has made a career of overshadowing his incredible skill set with laziness on defense and constant whining to officials. There’s no doubt a team can win with Luka, but as Perkins points out, they’ll have to overcome what he isn’t, in order to make it happen. And this Lakers team is not good enough to do that.

Related: Anthony Edwards Disciplined for Bragging About His ‘Size Advantage’ in LA

If you aren’t aware that Anthony Edwards is a star you haven’t been paying attention. Whether he wants the title or not, he is (or will soon become) the new face of the NBA. The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski put it eloquently saying, “Time to stop asking why Edwards does not want to be the future face of the league and start asking, how can he not be?”

Stephen A. Smith showers Anthony Edwards with praise

It seems like a lifetime ago when questions about Anthony Edwards’ desire to play basketball surrounded his draft status. Those questions are dead. Anthony Edwards is box office, as First Take star Stephen A. Smith likes to say. But on ESPN Monday, he took it to another level, doubling down on Kendrick Perkins’ praise, calling

“This brother, after taking [the Wolves] to the conference finals and getting smoked by Luka, is not only smoking Luka, he’s smoking LeBron too. With LeBron doing his thing, still it’s not enough! You just said it Windy, the best player in this series, with LeBron and Luka on the basketball court, is a 23-year-old with a $200+ million contract playing like he’s broke… playing like ‘I want this. I’m taking them out’.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again. He is a shark in blood-infested waters. Yeah, I think this series is going to go back to Minnesota. But make no mistake, he’s coming to take them out in LA. He wants to ruin tinseltown for them all summer long. Antman is coming. I’m sorry, he’s arrived.”

Stephen A. Smith – First Take

Edwards is clearly fueled by the competitive fire. He may have a lighthearted attitude behind the microphone, but every passionate quote or dagger on the court reflects a player willing to win at any cost, something that national pundits are starting to see firsthand.

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This Timberwolves team didn’t experience the same level of certainty of the one that reached the Western Conference Finals last season. Edwards has his group clicking on all cylinders right now though, and regardless of what odds may say, betting against them seems like a losing proposition.

Whether it’s the Warriors, Steph Curry, and the clown known as Draymond Green, or another opponent in the next round, Edwards will be the best player on the court, and the only superstar entering his prime.

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