NBA – Lakers stunner Anthony Edwards once again at the heart of a debate involving Wemby

Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif

Certes maladroit lors du Game 5, Anthony Edwards peut malgré tout être perçu comme le principal artisan de la qualification des Timberwolves face aux Lakers. Cela lui a valu de remettre sur la table un dossier clivant qui concerne également Victor Wembanyama.

If they had to name a hero, fans with short memories would undoubtedly elect Rudy Gobert. After all, it was the French pivot who was the star of Wednesday’s decisive Game 5 between the Timberwolves and Lakers. However, this would be ignoring the first four games of the series, during which Anthony Edwards was far more at his best.

Kendrick Perkins revives the Edwards/Wembanyama duel

Lacking shooting efficiency in Game 5, Edwards scored “just” 15 points. Nevertheless, he contributed to his team’s qualification for the Western Conference semi-finals, having previously averaged 29.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the playoffs. When Kendrick Perkins discussed his case on the NBA Today show, he forcefully attributed to him the status of future figurehead of the league:

Kendrick Perkins: I know he said he doesn’t want to be the face of the league, but he might not have a choice! I mean, he’s a pure killer! Between last year, when he took out Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant, and this season, when he’s just taken down Bron and Luka, he’s added nothing but giants to his roster! And now, maybe he’ll meet Steph (Curry) in the next round!

He’s every former player’s favorite player. Just ask them! I see progress in him. Even though he finished with 5/19 shooting on Wednesday, he was still the boss on the court and helped them win that game. 8 assists, 11 rebounds, tenacity defensively… He’s a real pit bull! I know he doesn’t want to be the face of the league, but he might not be able to escape it.

As a reminder, a few weeks ago, Edwards had rejected this label, which he considered more harmful than the opposite. Perkins nevertheless considers him destined to receive it… which is not the case for all Internet users. Some continue to attribute it to Victor Wembanyama:

@GothomCity: Except nobody wants it to be him

@caesarnodes: It will be Wemby

@ChrisThunderX: I’m so sick of this debate…

@V8derStrikes: Wemby is somewhere in San Antonio plotting…

Suffice to say, this discussion is still going strong…