Anthony Edwards is rapidly carving out a name for himself in the NBA, increasingly standing out as one of the league's brightest stars. Last season, his stellar performance earned him a spot at No. 10 on the CBS Sports Top 100 NBA players list.
Edwards achieved career highs across various metrics last season, a testament to his rising influence and capability on the court. His exceptional performance earned him his first All-NBA selection and a notable seventh-place finish in MVP voting. Moreover, his pivotal contributions propelled the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals, underscoring his impact and value to the team.
One of the key highlights of Edwards's breakthrough season was his scoring prowess, which saw a remarkable increase as the stakes rose. During the regular season, he averaged 25.9 points per game (PPG), which he elevated to 27.6 PPG in the playoffs. This uptick in scoring was mirrored by improvements in other aspects of his play. His assists per game rose from 5.1 in the regular season to 6.5 during the playoffs, illustrating his growth as a playmaker.
Edwards's shooting efficiency also saw significant gains when it mattered most. He improved his overall shooting percentage from a respectable 46% in the regular season to an impressive 48% during the playoffs. Similarly, his accuracy from three-point range climbed from 35.7% to a notable 40%, making him a more formidable threat from beyond the arc.
Another critical factor contributing to Edwards’s ascendancy has been his experiences with Team USA, where he had the invaluable opportunity to closely observe and learn from the routines and practices of top-tier athletes. This exposure has evidently been instrumental in enhancing various dimensions of his game.
"I think the best part about the whole [Olympic experience] was the practices," said Edwards, reflecting on his time with Team USA. The young star was particularly influenced by NBA icons LeBron James and Stephen Curry. "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."
Learning from Curry, Edwards has started to incorporate off-ball movement into his game, a strategic element that adds a daunting layer of complexity for defenders. This newfound versatility is helping Edwards find easier scoring opportunities and improving his overall offensive efficiency. Effective off-ball activity also demands peak physical fitness, a challenge that Edwards is meeting with impressive rigor.
The influence of Stephen Curry on his game goes beyond mere imitation; it's about understanding the nuances that make Curry such a consistent scoring threat. Great players like Curry have developed anticipatory chemistry with their teammates, allowing for seamless playmaking and scoring. Emulating this aspect, Edwards is working to build similar chemistry with his Timberwolves teammates, enhancing their overall gameplay and his effectiveness on the court.
An NBA career is often defined by a player's ability to evolve and adapt, and Edwards is proving to be a quick study. By integrating the practices and philosophies of some of the game's greatest, he is not only enhancing his own play but also setting a higher standard for his team. The Minnesota Timberwolves, with Edwards at the helm, are increasingly becoming a formidable opponent in the NBA, thanks in large part to his relentless pursuit of excellence and capacity for growth.
Anthony Edwards's journey is a compelling narrative of talent meeting opportunity. As he continues to learn and implement lessons from the league's best, the future looks incredibly bright for both him and the Minnesota Timberwolves. His rise is a prime example of what happens when raw talent intersects with hard work and strategic learning, setting the stage for what promises to be a remarkable career.