'I would not show that weakness,' Udonis Haslem blasts Anthony Edwards for dapping up Spurs bench mid-game

Udonis Haslem didn’t hold back. The longtime Miami Heat veteran and “NBA on Prime” analyst sharply criticized Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards for walking over to the San Antonio Spurs bench with eight minutes left in Game 6, congratulating them while his team trailed by more than 30 points in a season-ending loss.

The moment, which happened Friday night at Target Center as the Spurs closed out the series 139-109, has sparked debate about sportsmanship, leadership, and old-school versus new-generation NBA mentality. Haslem, never one to sugarcoat things, called it a sign of weakness that a team leader simply shouldn’t show while the game is still technically alive.

Edwards’ Timberwolves had pushed the young, talented Spurs to six games in the Western Conference semifinals, but San Antonio’s depth and momentum proved too much in the end. Stephon Castle exploded for 32 points, De’Aaron Fox added 21, and the Spurs led wire-to-wire in a dominant closeout performance on the road. For Edwards, who finished with 24 points on a tough 9-of-26 shooting night, the night ended early when he checked out in the fourth quarter.

Instead of staying locked in with his teammates on the bench, Edwards made his way to the Spurs’ sideline during a timeout. He shook hands and dapped up players and coaches one by one. To some, it looked like class. To veterans like Haslem and Dirk Nowitzki, it crossed a line.

1. Haslem’s Strong Words on Leadership

Speaking on the “NBA on Prime” postgame show alongside Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, and host Taylor Rooks, Haslem made his position crystal clear. “As a leader, I would not have walked down there and shook their hands,” Haslem said. “As a leader of my troops and my guys, I would not have shown that weakness. The game is not over. I’ve got eight minutes left. I still got smoke coming out my ears… Let me calm down for those eight minutes since I’m not in, and then after those eight minutes, I’ll go down there and congratulate them.” Haslem, who won three championships with the Heat and built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest competitors, emphasized putting energy back into his own teammates first. He acknowledged generational differences but stood firm on his old-school approach. He even doubted whether Victor Wembanyama would have done the same if roles were reversed. The criticism wasn’t isolated. Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, who knows a thing or two about playoff battles and respect, admitted he had never seen anything like it in his long career. “I’ve watched the NBA and been a part of it for a long, long time. I’ve never seen this,” Nowitzki said. “A guy walking into the huddle with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter and dapping up the entire team? Too much for me. Obviously, you can do that after the game and show respect.”

2. Why This Moment Matters in Today’s NBA

This isn’t just about one handshake in a blowout loss. It touches on deeper conversations happening across the league about competitiveness and sportsmanship. Haslem’s generation came up in a more physical, grudge-filled NBA where showing any vulnerability could be exploited. Edwards represents the modern player—talented, expressive, and often praised for personality and connection with opponents. Both sides have merit, but the divide shows how the culture continues to evolve. Edwards has already established himself as one of the league’s most exciting young stars. His ability to take over games and his fearless mentality helped Minnesota reach the Western Conference finals just two seasons ago. But moments like this fuel the narrative that he still has room to grow as a leader. For the Spurs, the win propels them into the Western Conference finals. Victor Wembanyama and company look like a team built for deep playoff runs, blending youth, skill, and poise.

3. Looking Ahead for Edwards and the Timberwolves

The Timberwolves now face an offseason of reflection. With Edwards under contract and the core largely intact, the focus will shift to adding the right pieces, building those “championship habits” he mentioned, and ensuring everyone buys into a tougher mentality when adversity hits. Haslem’s criticism, while pointed, comes from a place of care. Veterans like him often speak up because they see the potential and want to see it maximized. Edwards has the talent and the platform. How he processes feedback like this could define the next chapter of his career. The NBA playoffs roll on without Minnesota, but the conversation sparked by one moment in Game 6 will linger. Respect has many forms. Sometimes, it’s shown in handshakes after the final buzzer, and sometimes it’s shown by staying locked in until the very end.

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• Udonis Haslem
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