NBA fans are not showing much sympathy for Anthony Edwards after hearing his most recent statement. With the Western Conference Finals currently underway, Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are currently one game away from being eliminated from postseason contention. Despite crushing the Phoenix Suns and defeating the Denver Nuggets, the Timberwolves are down 0-3 to the Dallas Mavericks at this point in time.
This was an outcome that not many could have seen coming. After defeating the defending NBA champions, the Timberwolves were favored to go all the way and make it out of the Western Conference. During the postgame interview following Game 3, Edwards used an excuse that fans are not taking too lightly. With that being said, let us take a closer look and find out more.
Fans attack Anthony Edwards for making excuses after going down 0-3 to the Mavs
The late Kobe Bryant once said that winners do not make excuses. While there is no denying that Anthony Edwards has established himself as a bright young star in the league, he clearly has a long way to go before winning an NBA championship. After losing Game 3, Edwards brought up the discrepancy in the number of free throws awarded as a reason for the Timberwolves’ failure to orchestrate a comeback.
“They had 31 free throws, we had 17”
– Anthony Edwards on what in the box score stands out to him after Game 3
(Via @mcten ) pic.twitter.com/KjuJ95TUwg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 27, 2024
While the errors made by the officials while refereeing games have been brought to attention in recent times, it is simply not a good look to blame them for an inability to get the job done. After hearing Ant’s statements, fans took to social media and called him out for shifting blame away from himself, “I fw ant, but this response is disappointing.”
I fw ant, but this response is disappointing 🤦🏾♂️
— 𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙖𝙖 (@arkaavs) May 27, 2024
Excuses coming out after acting all tuff all postseason pic.twitter.com/6YCHeVVfiy
— japta (@DubsBetterrr) May 27, 2024
Although Anthony Edwards has shown to be quite a likable personality among young and upcoming NBA stars, blaming the referees is simply not the way to earn the respect of fans. After all, the Timberwolves may have been awarded more foul calls if they attacked the rim with more aggression as opposed to settling for long-distance three-pointers on a consistent basis.
Karl-Anthony Towns should also be blamed for the Timberwolves’ struggles
Karl-Anthony Towns’ play in Game 3 might have been the true reason that the Timberwolves lost. Although he should be virtually unstoppable due to his size and wingspan, Towns refused to play in the paint and shot 8 three-pointers. He did not make a single one of them and finished the night scoring just 14 points.
Tell KAT to go in he post and not shoot 0-8 from 3
— Ye Streams (@kanyestreams1) May 27, 2024
Even the referees cannot give foul calls to teams that are unwilling to attack the rim or play aggressively. In any case, Anthony Edwards should wonder if his team’s play should be blamed for their lack of success as opposed to the questionable foul calls given by referees.
