Mark Cuban has never been one to bite his tongue, and on a recent episode of the Road Trippin podcast, the former Dallas Mavericks owner turned minority partner stirred up a fresh round of controversy. This time, his target wasn’t a front office rival or an NBA rulebook quirk, but one of the league’s brightest young stars: Anthony Edwards.
“I’m going to create controversy right here, right now with a referee thing.”
“Watch Anthony Edwards.”When he takes a free throw shot, watch when he shoots his free throws, every single time he steps over the line, every time. And if you remember back in the day, I used to send in tapes on Shaq. So sent in Shaq and they started calling it, and he had to fix his free throws.”
“Anthony Edwards, we had a game against them where they were up like 93–92 with a few seconds left. He goes two feet, he steps over the line, and then the ball crosses, goes in the basket.”
“I’m like, this is the easiest call for a ref. just watch to see if he steps over the line. And they refuse to call it. Tell the league, they refuse to call it. So I’m going right here. Sorry, Ant, you know, and you’re great, I love your game, great player, right? But every single time, stay behind the line.”
The comments have already sparked debate among fans. Some argue that Cuban is nitpicking and trying to spotlight an otherwise minor violation. Others note that free throw line infractions are part of the rulebook and should be enforced consistently, regardless of a player’s superstar status.
In the NBA, players stepping across the line before the ball hits the rim is technically a violation, though it’s rarely called unless it’s blatant.
For Edwards, who has rapidly ascended into All-NBA status and is viewed as the face of the Timberwolves’ future, the scrutiny is part of the territory.
The 24-year-old averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season, helping Minnesota reach the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. He has become known for his explosiveness and competitive fire, but Cuban’s criticism suggests even the smallest details of his game are under the microscope.
Cuban’s history of challenging the league over officiating adds another layer. From his infamous fines for blasting referees to his behind-the-scenes tape submissions, he’s long been one of the NBA’s most vocal governors.
Though no longer the Mavericks’ primary decision-maker after selling his majority stake to Miriam Adelson in 2023, Cuban clearly hasn’t lost his appetite for stirring the pot.
Whether this leads to referees actually tightening their watch on Edwards remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Cuban has once again injected himself into a league-wide conversation, and this time, Anthony Edwards’ free throw routine is under the spotlight.
