Minnesota Timberwolves Star Anthony Edwards Admits He’ll Take Punishment for Criticizing Officials
In a recent postgame interview, Anthony Edwards, star player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, expressed his frustration with the officials in a 107-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Edwards stated, “I’mma take the fine because the refs did not give us no calls tonight. We had to play through every bump, every grab. I don’t know. I don’t know how we won tonight.” Edwards’ comments did not go unnoticed by the NBA, who responded with a hefty $40,000 fine, surpassing the typical $25,000 fine given to other players in similar situations. The NBA justified the increased fine due to multiple instances of Edwards criticizing the officials, including a more explicit remark caught on camera where he referred to them as “Cheatin’ a** refs.”
Edwards’ frustrations are not unwarranted, as he joins the ranks of basketball’s rising stars who feel that preferential treatment is given at the charity stripe. While Edwards does receive his fair share of free-throw attempts, averaging 6.6 per game, he has witnessed firsthand the discrepancy in calls received by Thunder star Shae Gilgeous-Alexander, particularly as a more aggressive driver in the paint. Edwards voiced his concerns after a previous matchup between the teams, stating, “It’s hard to shut them down. You can’t touch him any time of the game. It’s super hard to beat. That team is a good team, especially when they’re getting calls like that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, 25, has indeed benefited from favorable calls this season, averaging 9.2 attempts per game, putting him in the company of top stars like Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid. Edwards believes that the league’s brightest stars are closely watched and intends to continue pushing until he receives the same respect from the officials. After a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Edwards remarked, “Especially when the refs are calling it like that, there’s nothing you can do. You can’t put a finger on him. He’s up there, man.”
Timberwolves Trio Aims for All-Star Game History
In a stunning season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as the dominant force in the West. With a record of 34-14, they have claimed the top spot and show no signs of slowing down. Leading the charge are the formidable trio of Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Edwards.
These three stars have been the driving force behind the Timberwolves’ success and have garnered attention from fans and experts alike. While they were not selected as starters for the All-Star Game, there is still hope for them to make history as the first trio from the Timberwolves to earn a spot in the prestigious event.
The official announcement of the reserves is set to take place on Thursday, February 1. If Gobert, Towns, and Edwards make the cut, it will mark a significant milestone for the franchise. Throughout its history, the Timberwolves have only sent two players to the All-Star Game on four occasions, with the most recent being Towns and Jimmy Butler in the 2017-18 season.
Coach Chris Finch expressed his excitement about the possibility, stating, “It’d be a heck of an honor for sure, for myself, for the organization. But it’d also be just like any other individual accolade. It’s a reflection of the success the team’s having, which is the most important thing right now.”
As the Timberwolves continue their impressive run, fans eagerly anticipate the announcement and hope to see their beloved trio shine on the All-Star stage. Stay tuned for updates on this historic moment in Timberwolves history.
Written by Trevor Squire, Sports Journalist covering the Minnesota Vikings and Milwaukee Bucks.
