After the Minnesota Timberwolves’ disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference finals, many began to wonder if Anthony Edwards could truly be one of the best players and winners in the NBA.
Edwards had his worst career playoff series against OKC, averaging 23 points – a drop of 4.6 from his regular season average, and shooting an abysmal 28.2% from three. The Thunder’s suffocating defense overwhelmed Edwards and forced him into tough shots and costly turnovers.
Back-to-back losses in the conference finals have embarrassingly led many to wonder if Edwards could ever overtake the likes of Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Edwards’ offseason mentality was clear
“I’m going to work my butt off this summer. Nobody’s going to work harder this summer than me, I can tell you that.” These were the words Edwards left us in his exit interview after a disappointing Game 5 loss to the Thunder.
This offseason would be Edwards’ first opportunity to fully focus on developing his game. Whether it was international play with Team USA or offseason drama, Edwards was able to put aside all distractions and stay focused.
With multiple reports pouring in detailing a quietly productive summer for Edwards, it’s clear that Anthony Edwards is ready to take the next step in his game. The first reports came from Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, describes how Edwards is “locked up”. and believing that he still has to take another step to reach the level of Luka and Shai.
While these reports may seem obvious given the losses these colleagues have suffered, it is encouraging to hear the acknowledgment from Edwards, who is known for making brash statements about his own play.
Initial reports of Edwards’ mentality and approach entering the season have been further reinforced with reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania that Edwards has placed an emphasis on improving his midrange post game, watching extensive film on Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
The reported development in this aspect of his game could pay big dividends for Edwards and the Timberwolves, creating go-to shots and saving energy for Ant. If Edwards can replicate the success of the center position like his predecessors Bryant and Jordan, Edwards could be in serious MVP contention and prove vital in the Timberwolves’ hopes of breaking through and ultimately reaching the Finals.
What does an ascension realistically look like for Edwards?
Edwards has consistently shown improvement in his play each season, most recently becoming a deadly three-point shooter and averaging 27.6 points per game. Edwards’ history of improvement and development shows promising signs for Edwards in his sixth year.
With this insight, it is also important to temper expectations for Edward’s further development. Edwards’ scoring should remain relatively the same or increase by a few points, but looking at how Edwards gets his points and the efficiency with which he scores is what we should pay attention to.
While Edward’s three-point surge was historic, every other aspect of his scoring took a hit. His finishing at the rim and mid-range took a big hit. Edwards shot just 58.5% in the paint, a three percent drop from his previous season. For Edwards to take the next step as a scorer, he needs to be able to get his shot attempts at the rim, with layups and floaters being areas of growth.
Why this season could prove to be an indicator of Anthony Edwards’ future projection
In his age-24 season, Anthony Edwards is entering the veteran phase of his career as this will be his sixth season in the NBA. After pre-draft questions were raised about Edwards’ commitment to becoming a great NBA player, Edwards has silenced those same critics year after year with his continued improvement.
While Edwards has been touted as one of the NBA’s young stars since his rookie year, Edwards solidified his place as a potential face of the league in the 2024 postseason, reaching the Western Conference Finals while averaging 27.6 points per game. Edwards’ postseason play took a slight dip this past season, averaging 25.3 points per game.
Edwards has the opportunity and appears to be preparing to turn projection and potential into reality. The Timberwolves will face a competitive, talent-rich Western Conference, with teams like the Rockets and Nuggets making significant additions, as well as the powerhouse that is the Thunder.
While Edwards and the Timberwolves face an uphill battle to represent the Western Conference in the finals, Anthony Edwards is the type of player who gives fans hope that this is possible.
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