The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a roll! With the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in the bag and a pivotal Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals ahead, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not fade under the pressure. Instead, he rose to the occasion and delivered. The OKC superstar dropped a 40-point performance to give the Thunder a crucial 3-1 lead in the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Not just that, he flirted with a triple-double by adding nine rebounds and ten assists to his stunning performance.

However, despite doing everything to carry the Thunder to their first NBA Finals since 2012, many experts feel SGA doesn’t get the respect he deserves. We are all aware of the negative moniker bestowed upon the league’s MVP by the NBA fans, the Free Throw Merchant. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has stated that it doesn’t bother him that fans keep booing him wherever he goes.

On the contrary, he embraces the villain role while on the road with OKC. Well, if you did not believe Mr. Aura himself, we’re sure his recent actions will make you reconsider. After his stellar Game 4 performance, former Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley, who was in attendance at the Target Center, wanted to dap SGA up. However, things took a different turn when the OKC point guard refused to greet him.

Many fans believed that there might be some kind of tension between the two. However, Pat later revealed the real reason why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander refused to dap him. “I go to Shai after the game to dap him up, he said, ‘I ain’t going to lie, I can’t dap you up right now, OG… you got on that jersey.’ The jersey I had on was Anthony Edwards,” Beverly said on his podcast.

“That’s the mindset you have to have… I respect it, I like it. That’s how you have to be.” The 36-year-old guard pointed out that SGA did what he did because he had an Anthony Edwards jersey on. Of course, Beverley was repping up his own, given that he was teammates with Ant during the 2021-22 season. However, this did not sit right with SGA, who could not risk his reputation by dapping up a player wearing his rival’s uniform.

Moreover, Beverley also stated that he liked what Shai did, and that it was cold. In fact, the former NBA star believed that this is how the face of the league should be. Certainly, SGA has earned his respect by putting up stellar performances one after another. While a lot of people doubt his scoring abilities and accuse him of looking for contact, no one can deny that he’s been phenomenal this season.

Now, the OKC Thunder will look to finish off the series and claim a spot in this season’s finals. On the other hand, Anthony Edwards and Co. will try to force a Game 6. Who’ll win Game 5? That remains to be seen. Meanwhile, a TNT analyst has made a huge declaration about Anthony Edwards. 

Charles Barkley makes huge declaration about Anthony Edwards

Charles Barkley is known for his hot takes. However, the NBA legend took things up a notch on Tuesday night. While analyzing what could be the second-to-last NBA broadcast on TNT as the Indiana Pacers took a crucial 3-1 lead over the New York Knicks. Barkley, who’s been under the spotlight for his remarks on the current generation, offered some unusual advice for the broadcast network before he moves there. “Hey, ESPN, I love you guys,” Barkley said. “Don’t try to make Anthony Edwards the face of the NBA.”

Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the brink of elimination after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped a 40-bomb on them in Game 4. Barkley pointed out that Edwards should not be given the title of the face of the league just yet. But if not the 23-year-old shooting guard, who does Charles Barkley see worthy of being called, given the honor? Well, it’s not just one player.

According to the former NBA star, it’s three instead. “The face of the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joker, and Giannis,” He said. “You can’t give it to people, they have to take it. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is taking it.”

These were strong words coming out of Barkley’s mouth. Indeed, SGA has proven he’s the best player in the league. It’s no fluke that he’s won the MVP honors and been unstoppable this season. Meanwhile, both Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have also had MVP honors. So, it’s only right that these guys get their flowers. However, this does not mean Anthony Edwards is not capable of becoming the face of the league in the future.

It’s just that Barkley thinks that Ant’s time to shine under the spotlight is yet to come. So, sooner or later, the Minnesota guard will have that honor. Until then, he should keep working hard to prove the former NBA star wrong.