Anthony Edwards: The NBA's Rising Star
Anthony Edwards is rapidly emerging as one of the NBA's brightest stars, and the numbers back it up. Ranked No. 10 on the CBS Sports Top 100 NBA players list, Edwards is making quite a name for himself in the league. His meteoric rise isn't just hype; it’s well-supported by his impressive statistics and accolades from last season.
Edwards posted career highs across various metrics last season, culminating in his first All-NBA selection. He even finished seventh in the MVP voting, an extraordinary feat for such a young player. His contributions were pivotal in leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals, showcasing his significant impact on the team's success.
Impressive Playoff Performance
One of the standout aspects of Edwards's season was his performance in the playoffs. His scoring average increased from 25.9 points per game (PPG) in the regular season to 27.6 PPG in the playoffs. This uptick in scoring was complemented by improved efficiency; his shooting percentage climbed from 46% overall and 35.7% from three-point range in the regular season to 48% overall and 40% from beyond the arc in the playoffs.
Not just a scorer, Edwards also improved his playmaking abilities when it mattered the most. His assists rose from 5.1 per game in the regular season to 6.5 in the playoffs. This all-around improvement underscored his versatility and readiness to shoulder bigger responsibilities.
Learning from the Best
Edwards had the chance to closely watch and learn from the routines and practices of top-tier athletes during his time with Team USA. He took the opportunity to absorb as much as he could from some of the NBA's elite, stating, "I think the best part about the whole [Olympic experience] was the practices."
He credits LeBron James and Stephen Curry for specifically influencing his game. "I think the best thing that I learned was from Steph. I took Bron's pregame routine, but Steph just playing without the ball. So like, the last few days [with the Timberwolves] we've been playing five on five, I just be cutting, getting out of the way, and I get easy shots. So I think I learned the most from Steph," Edwards shared. This newfound focus on off-ball movement has added another dimension to his game, making him even more difficult to defend.
Incorporating Off-Ball Movement
The importance of off-ball movement, especially as demonstrated by Stephen Curry, cannot be overstated. Curry's off-ball movement creates a layer of complexity that defenders struggle to counter, and Edwards has started to incorporate this into his own repertoire. However, maintaining high levels of off-ball activity requires peak physical fitness, a challenge Edwards appears ready to meet.
Great players like Curry have built anticipatory chemistry with their teammates over the years, making their off-ball efforts even more effective. This anticipatory chemistry takes time and dedication, but Edwards's willingness to learn and adapt suggests that he is well on his way to mastering these subtleties.
Conclusion
Anthony Edwards's journey in the NBA is just beginning, but he has already shown signs of becoming one of the league's most versatile and impactful players. His willingness to learn from the best, combined with his natural talent and hard work, positions him as a future MVP candidate and a cornerstone of the Timberwolves' aspirations. As he continues to refine his game, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see just how high Edwards can soar.