The Minnesota Timberwolves are only the first quarter into their game against the reigning NBA champs, and their star player hasn’t received a vote of confidence. As of this writing, the Timberwolves were 15-7 over the Celtics in the first quarter. Of them, the Wolves have made 10 3-point attempts. During Tip-Off on Inside the NBA, the crew was disappointed in Minnesota’s 17-15 record so far this season, in comparison to having at least 30 games over .500 in the 2023-24 season. The reason for this difference, Charles Barkley claims, is the very noticeable new style Anthony Edwards has leaned into. And it disappoints Chuck and Shaq, that Edwards is fading into the new NBA culture.

After the dramatic pre-season trade between the Knicks and Wolves, Chuck said today that the difference between how Minnesota looks in comparison to a playoff-worthy team last season is, “Night and day because they really miss KAT… KAT’s on fire right now.”

So while the Wolves miss Karl-Anthony Towns, Barkley explained how Rudy Gobert cannot take a shot. They “screwed up” Naz Ried because he’s not getting any shots either. And Julius Randle is a ball-hogger for the team. But the biggest problem Chuckster says is, “Anthony Edwards, in my opinion, has regressed.” 

By regressed, Barkley doesn’t mean into the past, but more into the 3-point-heavy style rampant in the NBA today. “He’s become an outside shooter. He’s not aggressive like he was last year.” Even his 19 PPG doesn’t impress Chuck because “he’s taking too many threes, in my opinion.” When Chuck says that, Shaquille O’Neal chimes in, “Way too many threes.” 

ICYMI, Shaq blames the 3-point surge on the NBA ratings woes.

The game started the second quarter at 41 points a piece. Gobert had not made a single point in 10 minutes but picked up rebounds. Randle is leading the game with 13 points. Reid is stuck at 5. And Ant has made 7 points in 10 minutes. So far the Celtics have made more 3-point attempts than the Wolves.

But Edwards’ new game is noticeable. He still drives to the basket and is near unstoppable. But, he’s more frequently taking a step back and shooting for a three.

Charles Barkley wants the old Antman

Last year Anthony Edwards’ high-flyer aggressive twos drew comparisons to Michael Jordan. As old talking heads who played against him a.k.a Sir Charles would testify, Jordan could take threes. But he made the most iconic inside shots in history to improve the Bulls’ record. Since Ant’s new play this season, the comparisons are a little tame.

Charles Barkley maintains Ant is a terrific player. Instead of tying the game against the Rockets with a two, he attempted a step-back shot for a buzzer-beater three that won the match. Barkley believes Ant can be blocked from threes, but he’s unstoppable at the lower post. Something like an MDE Shaq, maybe?

What irks Barkley is that despite Ant attempting and making too many threes, the Wolves still lost more games this season compared to last year. Barkley got annoyed at how Edwards was sixth on a list of players, who had 20+ points in their first career games against the Celtics. Ant with eight such games is right under Shaq with 12 games.

Ant had not yet reached double digits at halftime, disappointing the Inside Guys. Shaq went as far as to say, “A player of his caliber should never have 9 points in a half. That just tells me you’re settling.” O’Neal agrees with Chuck’s previous point that Ant isn’t attacking like he used to. “When he figures it out, now he goes to the bucket. This is the Anthony Edwards that we know and love.”

Shaq believes Antman can become greater than he already is if he stays true to his old style. Whether Chuck’s right about Ant will be seen at the end of the game.