Chuck didn’t approve! Only a few people can get as candid as Charles Barkley when dishing out the truth. And Anthony Edwards is one of them. The Minnesota Timberwolves star recently went viral for calling himself “the truth” in front of none other than Barack Obama. And once again, he stirred the pot by declaring he did not wish to become the face of the NBA. This quickly sparked debate, with many arguing that he was a potential candidate. Other players such as Victor Wembanyama are also in the conversation. But Barkley is utterly baffled and scratching his head over one idea.

While he has no issue with Antman or any other player, Charles Barkley doesn’t understand the concept of ‘giving’ the honor to a player. He listened to the media’s take and Kevin Durant’s comment and addressed it on Inside the NBA, claiming the title of Face of the NBA is something players have to “take” rather than be given.

“First of all, you don’t give anybody the face of the league. Am I right, Shaq? Shaq took being face of the league. When Magic Johnson and Larry Bird came in, they’re like, we’re the new sheriffs in town. Shaq took it. LeBron took it. Steph took it,” Barkley argued. He believes that over the years, all the players who became the face of the NBA had to claim the title. 

He further added, “But I get so annoyed when I hear these guys. I was like, you don’t give somebody something… But you don’t give anybody the face of the game.” Charles Barkley’s comment contradicts what former NBA player Carmelo Anthony said.

Anthony wants one of the stars, Edwards, to embrace the honor when he is given. “Especially when everybody is trying to give you the face; you can’t run from that,” Melo said on “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast.

“You can’t reject it and then be in four out of five commercials… You got to pick a side. Either you just play ball, and you do what you do. This is what comes with being a superstar,” Melo explained. Back at the NBA All-Star event, a curious reporter asked Anthony Edwards about his interest in becoming the face of the league. As said before, his response was surprising.

Anthony Edwards wants Victor Wembanyama to take up the role after Charles Barkley’s comments

Edwards, who is known for his awe-inspiring confidence, shared that he is “capable” of becoming the face of the league. However, Edwards had a different wish and said, “But I don’t want to be that guy, put it like that. I want to be the guy to just show up and hoop and just kill dudes and go home.”

At the age of 23, he earned All-NBA honors in the previous, made three All-Star appearances. He was also named to the All-Rookie First Team back in 2021. The NBA has a lot of kids who come to the spotlight and some continue to excel. Not to forget, Edwards has competition. 

But he is quite a strong contender at that. He led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. However, he added that it could be the 21-year-old French star who could claim the title. “Nah, not really. That’s what they got Wemby for,” Edwards said. However, we hope Wembanyama’s okay after getting ruled out of the season with a serious medical issue. 

Whoever becomes the face of the NBA, one thing is for sure, as mentioned by the Phoenix Suns‘ legend, that the player would have to earn the honor!