PAUL PIERCE has divided NBA fans with his bold claim about Anthony Edwards after his incredible slam dunk.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Edwards went viral this week with a sensational poster dunk over Utah Jazz power-forward John Collins.

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Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards produced an incredible dunk against the Utah JazzCredit: GETTY

Edwards’ incredible feat of athleticism went viralCredit: GETTY

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Paul Pierce believes Edwards can become the “face of the league”Credit: FOX
The incredible feat of athleticism blew away avid and casual watchers of the NBA alike.

Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce was left gobsmacked by Edwards’ highlight reel score, dubbing it the “Dunk of the Year”.

But he set tongues wagging with his claim that 22-year-old Edwards could potentially become the NBA’s poster boy.

During a recent episode of FOX Sports’ Undisputed, he said: “What was more impressive to me about this dunk, you know what it screamed to me?

“It screamed to me that we’re seeing exciting plays from this guy night in and night out.

“And I think we’re potentially looking at the face of the league.

“I mean you look at the excitement he brings, his charisma, his interviews.

“He looked at the replay of his dunk and reacted to it.”

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Anthony Edwards dislocated a finger in his left hand as a result of the incredible dunkCredit: Getty
Basketball fans around the globe were quick to react to Pierce’s claim, with one saying: “Winning has to be first to make you face of the league.

“Not just dunking highlight reels.”

Another said: “Stop trying to throw just any ol’ body as the face of the NBA!

“There’s only one, and it’s Steph Curry!”

And another said: “Ant is great but let’s not let narrative sway what’s real!”

One remarked: “Paul Pierce knows ball.

“Ant is 22, I believe he will bring a championship to MN and will make your good friend KG proud.”

Another chimed in: “I would love to know what their criteria for being the next face of the league.”

Edwards’ phenomenal dunk came at a cost as he suffered a dislocated finger on his left hand.

He said of the incredible score: “I was thinking I was going to miss it because I wasn’t close to the rim. But somehow God willed it in for me.”

He added: “It gives me chills, man, because I always dreamed of dunking on somebody like that.”

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Anthony Edwards himself was blown away by his incredible dunk