A New Face of the League: Ant Edwards’ Takeover
This isn’t an undermanned team. They have one of the greatest players ever paired up with one of the best players in the league today, surrounded by talent and a team on the heels of a successful regular season. Yet they’re being shoved aside by the new kid on the block.
Did we just witness the passing of the torch?
Anthony Edwards literally pushed and shoved LeBron James up and down the court with an air of confidence that said “give me what you have or it’s going to get worse.”
We’ve seen teams age out of greatness, and sure, LeBron is older, but his team is young. LeBron, through incredible work, fitness, time off, and overall just taking care of himself, is as good as ever. His late block in game 4 showed as much. This Los Angeles Lakers team isn’t some “it’s time to let go” story. With Luka Doncic there (less than a year removed from an NBA Finals appearance with a lesser team), the Lakers are a “deep playoff run or bust” team.
And it’s looking bust – not because they’re giving it away. No, Ant Edwards is taking it away. And he’s going right for the king. Outstretched arms, words, and basketball – he wants it all. There are even moments when he makes a mistake or misses a shot, but you can just see it. He’s playing with a confidence we’ve really only ever seen in MJ and Kobe.
Does this mean he’s those guys? Not at all. But that drive, that anger, that “I don’t care what happens, I’m going for it” attitude – that’s someone taking it. And LeBron can’t do anything about it. Except when the series ends, pass off the torch. Anthony Edwards is a superstar now, and it’s up to him to keep that flame lit.
Resource | The Backdrop to Anthony Edwards Is a Superstar, Now
The numbers tell a story that words can barely capture. Edwards dropped 43 points in Game 4 while grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing 6 assists with just a single turnover. His fourth quarter was the stuff of legend — 16 points that turned a 10-point deficit into a Minnesota victory, shooting 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc when it mattered most.
Lakers coach JJ Redick was so desperate to contain Edwards that he played just five players the entire second half — James, Doncic, Reaves, Hachimura, and Finney-Smith. The move backfired spectacularly as the exhausted Lakers got outscored 32-19 in the final frame, unable to match Edwards’ relentless energy.
Minnesota now leads the series 3-1, pushing the Lakers to the brink. This isn’t new territory for Edwards, who’s making a habit of taking down NBA royalty. Last year, he swept Kevin Durant’s Suns before defeating Nikola Jokic’s defending champion Nuggets. Now he’s one win away from adding LeBron and Luka to his collection.
What’s changed this year is Edwards’ decision-making. Through four games against the Lakers, he’s recorded 23 assists against just 6 turnovers – light-years ahead of his regular season ratio. As Wolves coach Chris Finch puts it, Edwards is now hitting more doubles and singles instead of always swinging for home runs.
The physical confrontation between Edwards and James wasn’t just posturing. It was symbolic. Edwards, who built a relationship with LeBron during the Paris Olympics and calls him a big brother, made it clear that family ties end at the opening tip. Edwards admitted he was trying to be a pest out there, showing the killer instinct shared by all truly transcendent talents.
The irony is that Edwards claims he doesn’t want to be the face of the NBA. He says he just wants to play basketball and go home to his video games. But his game keeps speaking louder than his words. His fifth 40+ point playoff performance at just 23 years old places him in rare historical company.
With Game 5 looming in Los Angeles, Edwards isn’t satisfied. He warned his teammates it’s going to be the toughest game they’ve played all season and everyone will be against them. The Timberwolves are one win away from advancing to the second round in consecutive seasons for the first time in their history.
Whether Edwards embraces it or not, Ant is a superstar and the new face of the league.
Anthony Edwards Is a Superstar, Now
A New Face of the League: Ant Edwards’ Takeover
This isn’t an undermanned team. They have one of the greatest players ever paired up with one of the best players in the league today, surrounded by talent and a team on the heels of a successful regular season. Yet they’re being shoved aside by the new kid on the block.
Did we just witness the passing of the torch?
Anthony Edwards literally pushed and shoved LeBron James up and down the court with an air of confidence that said “give me what you have or it’s going to get worse.”
We’ve seen teams age out of greatness, and sure, LeBron is older, but his team is young. LeBron, through incredible work, fitness, time off, and overall just taking care of himself, is as good as ever. His late block in game 4 showed as much. This Los Angeles Lakers team isn’t some “it’s time to let go” story. With Luka Doncic there (less than a year removed from an NBA Finals appearance with a lesser team), the Lakers are a “deep playoff run or bust” team.
And it’s looking bust – not because they’re giving it away. No, Ant Edwards is taking it away. And he’s going right for the king. Outstretched arms, words, and basketball – he wants it all. There are even moments when he makes a mistake or misses a shot, but you can just see it. He’s playing with a confidence we’ve really only ever seen in MJ and Kobe.
Does this mean he’s those guys? Not at all. But that drive, that anger, that “I don’t care what happens, I’m going for it” attitude – that’s someone taking it. And LeBron can’t do anything about it. Except when the series ends, pass off the torch. Anthony Edwards is a superstar now, and it’s up to him to keep that flame lit.
Resource | The Backdrop to Anthony Edwards Is a Superstar, Now
The numbers tell a story that words can barely capture. Edwards dropped 43 points in Game 4 while grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing 6 assists with just a single turnover. His fourth quarter was the stuff of legend — 16 points that turned a 10-point deficit into a Minnesota victory, shooting 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc when it mattered most.
Lakers coach JJ Redick was so desperate to contain Edwards that he played just five players the entire second half — James, Doncic, Reaves, Hachimura, and Finney-Smith. The move backfired spectacularly as the exhausted Lakers got outscored 32-19 in the final frame, unable to match Edwards’ relentless energy.
Minnesota now leads the series 3-1, pushing the Lakers to the brink. This isn’t new territory for Edwards, who’s making a habit of taking down NBA royalty. Last year, he swept Kevin Durant’s Suns before defeating Nikola Jokic’s defending champion Nuggets. Now he’s one win away from adding LeBron and Luka to his collection.
What’s changed this year is Edwards’ decision-making. Through four games against the Lakers, he’s recorded 23 assists against just 6 turnovers – light-years ahead of his regular season ratio. As Wolves coach Chris Finch puts it, Edwards is now hitting more doubles and singles instead of always swinging for home runs.
The physical confrontation between Edwards and James wasn’t just posturing. It was symbolic. Edwards, who built a relationship with LeBron during the Paris Olympics and calls him a big brother, made it clear that family ties end at the opening tip. Edwards admitted he was trying to be a pest out there, showing the killer instinct shared by all truly transcendent talents.
The irony is that Edwards claims he doesn’t want to be the face of the NBA. He says he just wants to play basketball and go home to his video games. But his game keeps speaking louder than his words. His fifth 40+ point playoff performance at just 23 years old places him in rare historical company.
With Game 5 looming in Los Angeles, Edwards isn’t satisfied. He warned his teammates it’s going to be the toughest game they’ve played all season and everyone will be against them. The Timberwolves are one win away from advancing to the second round in consecutive seasons for the first time in their history.
Whether Edwards embraces it or not, Ant is a superstar and the new face of the league.
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Eric Kasimov is the founder of SportsEpreneur, part of the KazSource media network. Since launching the platform in 2015, he has hosted over 500 podcast episodes, written and published more than 1,500 articles, and advised business leaders, founders, and creators on building authority through media strategy.
Through his brands — KazSource, KazCM, SportsEpreneur, and QuietLoud Studios — Eric leads teams that produce podcasts, develop brand platforms, and help companies grow through modern content ecosystems. He also scaled KazSource Insurance into a seven-figure boutique agency, providing the foundation for the broader media network he operates today.
His work has been featured in Forbes, Axios, and Front Office Sports, and his podcasts have included conversations with top founders, investors, and athletes turned entrepreneurs.