With the recent commentary of former Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Patrick Beverley, suggesting that Timberwolves All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards is too big for the small market NBA stage at Target Center, the controversial topic of where should Edwards play has exploded on social media.
“He will get out of Minnesota.” - Pat Beverley
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) August 31, 2023
Pat Bev talks about the level of star Anthony Edwards is for the NBA. pic.twitter.com/Hg6S3NRmn5
That prompted the ever-opportunistic pay-to-read sports media service, The Athletic, to parrot the same philosophy as that of Patrick Beverley, and argue that the sudden rise to the elite of the elite NBA trajectory that Anthony Edwards appears to be on will force him to seek out a bigger stage (subscription required):
Anthony Edwards has emerged as Team USA's go-to scoring option.
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) September 1, 2023
Many around the league believe the 22-year-old is primed to ascend to superstar status this season.
Is it time for a bigger stage than Minnesota?
The Bounce ⤵️https://t.co/htcxueNx3c
While I had pointed out how some of the best NBA players were more than thrilled to play for small-market NBA teams, and many would still be content as long as the team remained focused on fielding a competitive roster, I clearly am being outshouted on social media. So, let’s turn up the volume, shall we?
After, let’s turn to the other side of the argument and afford the voice of reason to have equal time.
I don't know who all needs to read/hear this but:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 2, 2023
NBA players don't need to play in big markets to become superstars. If they're a superstar, they'll be one no matter where they play.
And so the battle lines are drawn. But even ‘if true,’ even the most battle-hardened NBA veteran players who love to be on the move know that they want to be paid, want to compete for a team that competes, and want to have an NBA team that features them on the basketball court.
Now what have the Minnesota Timberwolves done along with hiring President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly:
The Timberwolves:
— Jake (@JakeAndHoops) September 2, 2023
• drafted an absolute stud in Jaden McDaniels;
• have the greatest big man shooter ever;
• traded for a 3x DPOY and Top 5 Center;
• have had solid depth, role players the last couple seasons.
The media:
Is it time for Anthony Edwards to demand a trade?
I for one would also like to point out that the Minnesota Timberwolves had his back just one year ago when Anthony Edwards made headlines for a completely different reason. And how kind do you think big market media would have been in response to Anthony Edwards’s folding chair incident after the final game against the Denver Nuggets?
The push to get Anthony Edwards is simply an effort to get one of the best NBA players into their backyard. NBA teams in Los Angeles and the East Coast are entrenched in the national media, getting 24 by 7 televised discussions and news about the team. And yet, it was the Denver Nuggets (a small market team) that won the latest NBA Championship.
And the architect of that championship team, Tim Connelly, is working that same magic for the Timberwolves roster, and those big league media moguls don’t like it. So if you can’t report compelling news, try to manufacture news that is compelling . . .
The truth is that Anthony Edwards just signed a huge extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that he loves to play for. If there are those in the media who do not like that fact, buy an NBA team and make the Timberwolves an offer that they cannot ignore.
Otherwise, let’s stick to the news . . .