"You gotta be a role model, and things outside the lines matter" - Perkins on why Edwards can't be considered the face of the league
According to the former player, "Ant-Man" still has much growing up to do, and his track record off the court doesn't indicate that he's someone worth looking up to.
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"You gotta check the boxes when you're the face of the league," said Perkins. "Yes, we know you gotta have a signature shoe, you're going to be in commercials, you're going to have the highlights, you gotta have the game, but you know what else you gotta have? You gotta be a role model, and things outside the lines matter."
Perk has one pointer for Ant
Speaking of his track record off the court, "Big Perk" pointed out that Edwards' messy paternity drama is preventing him from having a clean reputation. After all, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard is rumored to be associated with three different women with whom he shares three different children.
So far, the three-time All-Star has only acknowledged his daughter Aislynn, whom he shares with his baby mother, Shannon Jackson.
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"Now, if you go down the list of all the faces of the league in the history of the game, you look at Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, LeBron, Steph, what do they all have in common? While they were playing in the league they all were family men. They all were married with kids, and if you don't think that plays a role as far as the role model this is facts," said Perkins.
Another former NBA player and current analyst, Charles Barkley, backed up Perkins' claim about why it was wrong to crown the 6'3 "guard out of the University of Georgia the face of the league too early. But "Sir Charles" didn't focus on Ant's reputation off the court and instead implied that he has yet to prove anything so far in his young career besides two Western Conference Finals appearances.
Related: "I'm hoping this is a wake-up call for Brunson" - Charles Barkley thinks the Knicks play better when Jalen Brunson gets off the ball
The face of the league should happen organically
In fairness to Wolves guard, he has said multiple times that he doesn't want to be the face of the NBA, even if the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Draymond Green, and Dwyane Wade have encouraged him to just accept the label. But the thing about being the face of the NBA is that the consumers of the basketball product — in this case, analysts and fans — are the ones who crown that guy.
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The Georgia product just happens to be a rising elite superstar with a charming and hilarious personality that many are drawn to, which is why his name is constantly brought up in conversations. Some, like Perkins, believe that it shouldn't be the case, and a few think the opposite. Ultimately, it'll still be Edwards' decision and how he plans to approach the rest of his career.
Related: "I didn't get enough shots to say I struggled" - Anthony Edwards pushes back on criticism after 16-point performance in Game 4 loss
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