Anthony Edwards found himself at the center of a viral discussion he never expected. After Minnesota’s 119-115 win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday, he revealed that a remark from a well-known figure made him rethink how he approached his free throws. That comment came from Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban, whose viral critique turned a small detail in Edwards’ game into a league wide talking point.
Cuban initially raised the issue during an appearance on the Road Trippin podcast, saying Edwards consistently crossed the free-throw line early and adding that he had mentioned it to the league. The clip spread on social media and quickly reached Edwards. Speaking to Andrew Dukowitz, Edwards said a public figure called out his free throw habits online, which put pressure on him to correct it.
Edwards later explained that adjusting his footwork took effort. He told reporters the change was difficult, but considering how much time he spends in the gym, he believed he could fix it. He added that he now attempts roughly two hundred free throws each day.
Cuban’s discussion on the podcast went beyond a casual remark. He described instances where he noticed Edwards stepping over the line before the ball hit the rim and compared it to situations in past seasons where he had submitted video evidence of other players to the league. He recalled a specific late game scenario from a previous matchup where Edwards crossed the line before a key free throw went in, expressing surprise that officials did not call the violation.
The rule itself is direct. A shooter cannot cross the line until the ball touches the rim, backboard or net. Cuban believed referees were overlooking an obvious infraction. Edwards, in turn, understood that the public spotlight on his routine meant he needed to adjust immediately.
After Minnesota’s win over Boston, Edwards initially tried not to identify Cuban by name. That changed once he acknowledged Cuban’s comments had been the driving force behind his correction. Cuban later responded online, saying his issue was not with Edwards personally but with officials choosing not to enforce a straightforward rule.
The mechanical change has not hindered Edwards at the stripe. He is converting 82.3 percent of his free throws this season, slightly above his career average. His overall scoring remains elite at 28.7 points per game (at the time of this writing), and the new routine has not altered the rest of his offensive rhythm.
Edwards already faced Cuban’s former team earlier this season, and Minnesota won convincingly by a score of 120-96. Against Boston on Saturday, he delivered another standout performance with 39 points and a near perfect 10-of-11 showing at the free-throw line, displaying complete comfort with the updated technique.
Cuban no longer runs basketball operations in Dallas, but his voice still carries weight around the league. His initial critique pushed a rising star to refine a small detail. Edwards embraced the challenge, made the correction and continued playing at one of the highest levels of his career.
