LeBron James had a blunt response when asked about Anthony Edwards potentially becoming the face of the NBA.
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 111-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, James questioned why any player would want that responsibility.
“I don’t know, why do you want to be the face of a league when all the people that cover our game and talk about our game on a day-to-day basis sh*t on everybody?” James said, per Dan Woike. “When you have that responsibility, that’s just weird. That’s weird energy from the people that – I don’t know. Channing, he said it perfectly. Couldn’t say it no better.”
Edwards, 23, is in the midst of his best statistical season, averaging 27.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 36.8 minutes per game. His rise has positioned him among the league’s brightest young stars, sparking conversations about his potential as the NBA’s next face.
James, however, made it clear that carrying that title comes with challenges, particularly in dealing with media narratives and scrutiny. His comments suggest that the pressures of being the league’s focal point may not be worth the recognition that comes with it.
On the court, James backed up his words with a dominant performance, recording 33 points and 17 rebounds to lead Los Angeles to its fourth straight win. Austin Reaves added 23 points, while Luka Doncic finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Minnesota, now 32-28, faced an uphill battle after Edwards was ejected in the third quarter for receiving his second technical foul. The All-Star guard tossed the ball into the stands after the call, which could result in a one-game suspension for reaching the NBA’s 16-technical limit.
Before his exit, Edwards had 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. stepped up with a career-high 25 points, but the Timberwolves struggled to keep pace down the stretch.
The Lakers built a 23-point lead in the second quarter, but Minnesota responded with a 13-1 fourth-quarter run, trimming the deficit to 93-90. Doncic halted their momentum with a deep three-pointer as the shot clock expired, putting Los Angeles up 98-91 with 3:37 remaining.
James and Reaves sealed the victory at the free-throw line, ensuring the Lakers’ strong push in the Western Conference standings continued.
The Lakers shot 41.5% from the field and 69.6% from the free-throw line while dominating the glass with a 52-41 rebounding edge. Minnesota struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 29.3% of its three-point attempts.
With the win, Los Angeles improved to 36-21, solidifying its hold on the fourth seed. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have now dropped five of their last seven games and may have to face their next contest without Edwards.
James’ remarks on Edwards add another layer to the debate about the league’s future torchbearer. While the Timberwolves’ star continues his ascent, James’ perspective offers a reminder of the challenges that come with being the NBA’s centerpiece.
