Kendrick Perkins Faces Backlash for Comments on Anthony Edwards' Family Status

Following the Minnesota Timberwolves' Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins sparked controversy by asserting that Anthony Edwards is not ready to be the face of the NBA because he is not a family man. Perkins argued on ESPN's First Take that past NBA faces like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and others were all married with children during their careers, implying that being a family man is a crucial aspect of serving as a role model in the league. This viewpoint was met with widespread backlash, as critics pointed out inconsistencies in Perkins' examples and questioned the relevance of an athlete's family status to their professional legacy. Fans and commentators noted that some players Perkins cited had complicated personal lives that did not neatly fit his family man narrative. Additionally, Edwards' on-court performance—scoring 15 or 16 points in the loss—was viewed as underwhelming but not solely to blame for the team's defeat. Overall, Perkins' comments reignited debate about what qualities define the NBA's top stars beyond their athletic prowess.