The Rise of Anthony Edwards: Setting New Milestones and Learning From the Best
Anthony Edwards is rapidly emerging as one of the NBA's brightest stars, capturing attention with his outstanding performance on the court. Voted No. 10 on the CBS Sports Top 100 NBA players list, Edwards's achievements last season are nothing short of remarkable. He posted career highs across various metrics, earned his first All-NBA selection, and finished seventh in MVP voting. His contributions were pivotal in leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals, overcoming formidable opponents like Kevin Durant's Suns and Nikola Jokic's Nuggets.
Edwards's performance during the playoffs was particularly impressive, showcasing his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most. His scoring average increased from 25.9 points per game (PPG) in the regular season to 27.6 PPG in the playoffs. Not only did his scoring improve, but his assists also rose from 5.1 per game in the regular season to 6.5 in the playoffs. Additionally, his shooting percentage saw a significant uptick, climbing 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.
Learning From the Greats
Beyond his individual achievements, Edwards attributes some of his recent growth to observations and lessons learned from some of the game's greatest players, particularly during his time with Team USA. The Olympic experience has been instrumental for Edwards, as he had the chance to closely watch and learn from the routines and practices of top-tier athletes. Edwards made specific mention of his Team USA teammates and their rigorous approach to the game.
"I think the best part about the whole [Olympic experience] was the practices," Edwards said during a Timberwolves media day. "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's comments highlight the impact that observing the likes of Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant has had on his game. He paid close attention not just to their technical skills but also to their preparation and overall approach. The meticulous pregame routine of LeBron James and Kevin Durant’s workout regimen are lessons Edwards has internalized, aiming to bring a similar level of professionalism and efficiency to his own preparations.
Adapting Off-Ball Movement
A critical area of growth for Edwards has been his off-ball movement, a skill he specifically credits Stephen Curry for demonstrating. Curry’s ability to create scoring opportunities by moving without the ball has become one of his deadliest weapons, adding a layer of complexity that defenders struggle to counter. This is a facet that many great scorers in the league often neglect, as they typically prefer to have the ball in their hands and control the play.
Defending a player like Curry, who never stops moving, poses a unique challenge as defenders naturally tend to let their guard down. Trying to track and cover such a player for an entire game is nearly impossible. Edwards recognizes the value of this skill and has already started to incorporate it into his own game, finding easy scoring opportunities by simply making smarter movements off the ball.
The emphasis on conditioning is clear, as maintaining such high levels of off-ball activity requires peak physical fitness. Great players like Curry have built anticipatory chemistry with their teammates over the years, enabling seamless execution of plays that require constant movement. Edwards is now working towards developing this aspect of his game, understanding that conditioning and trust with his teammates are essential components.
Future Prospects
As Anthony Edwards continues to evolve and refine his game, the lessons learned from his distinguished peers will undoubtedly play a significant role. His remarkable improvement last season and newfound strategies from players like Curry and James suggest that the young star is on a trajectory that could see him become one of the faces of the NBA. With his ever-growing skill set and an unrelenting drive to learn and improve, the future looks exceptionally bright for Edwards and the Timberwolves.