Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has labeled Anthony Edwards' preseason warning to NBA rivals as 'fool's gold' for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The superstar guard's comments about playing a more physical style have sparked debate as the team prepares for its season opener against the Miami Heat on October 21, following a preseason that ended with a 133-116 loss to the Chicago Bulls on October 16.
Anthony Edwards made his intentions clear during a live stream. "We gon' foul the [expletive] out you," the Timberwolves' four-time All-Star declared. "It's a bunch of [expletive] this year." Edwards, the top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, is entering his seventh season with championship aspirations. His statement outlined a plan to impose a tougher, more aggressive identity on opponents from the opening tip.
Cam Newton responded on his '4th&1' show, questioning the timing and substance of Edwards' promise. "Boy, making a promise in October means nothing if that promise ain't got no validity in May," Newton said. He added, "What is here is that I take this message as fool's gold." Newton praised Edwards' individual talent and the roster additions of LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. But he expressed concern over the departures of veterans like Mike Conley, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle, wondering how the team's chemistry would develop.
The Timberwolves' preseason results were a mixed bag, showing both promise and clear areas for improvement. They started strong with a 116-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on October 5 and a thrilling 125-124 victory against the Miami Heat on October 10. A 122-104 win over the New York Knicks on October 12 followed. However, the team then dropped three consecutive games, falling 123-112 to the Indiana Pacers on October 7, 128-106 to the Detroit Pistons on October 14, and finally 133-116 to the Chicago Bulls on October 16. These games tested their new lineup combinations.
The Timberwolves' regular season begins in Miami against the Heat on October 21. This matchup immediately tests Edwards' physicality pledge against a tough Eastern Conference opponent. The team's success will hinge on integrating Ball's playmaking and Kuminga's athleticism with the existing core. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full schedule on our schedule page. The early season will reveal if Edwards' words were a genuine blueprint or, as Newton suggested, an empty October promise.
