Anthony Edwards is rapidly emerging as one of the NBA's brightest stars. Having been voted No. 10 on the CBS Sports Top 100 NBA players list, Edwards's ascent to the upper echelons of the league has been nothing short of meteoric. Last season, he posted career highs across various metrics, earning his first All-NBA selection and finishing seventh in MVP voting. His contributions were pivotal in leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals, a feat that fans will remember for years.
A Season of Milestones
Edwards's scoring average saw a significant uptick, increasing from 25.9 points per game (PPG) in the regular season to 27.6 PPG in the playoffs. This rise in performance extended beyond just scoring. His assists also rose from 5.1 per game in the regular season to 6.5 in the playoffs. Furthermore, his shooting percentage improved 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.
For many, these numbers are a testament to his growth on the court, but for Edwards, the journey also included invaluable off-court experiences.
Lessons from the Elite
During his time with Team USA, Edwards had the opportunity to closely watch and learn from the routines and practices of top-tier athletes. Reflecting on this experience, he shared, "I think the best part about the whole [Olympic experience] was the practices."
Edwards acknowledged the influence of two NBA legends in particular. "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."
By absorbing LeBron James's meticulous pregame routines and Stephen Curry's masterful off-ball movement, Edwards is beginning to incorporate these elements into his own game. Watching Curry play without the ball has added a new dimension to Edwards's offensive repertoire. The incorporation of off-ball movement is not just about scoring but also about creating space and opportunities for teammates, something that requires peak physical fitness and basketball IQ.
Understanding the complexity that Curry's off-ball movement brings, Edwards has started putting this knowledge into action. "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," he noted. "So I think I learned the most from Steph."
Glimpses of Greatness
Great players like Curry have built anticipatory chemistry with their teammates over the years, and Edwards seems well on his way to developing similar on-court relationships. His willingness to learn and adapt is a promising sign for the Timberwolves, who rely heavily on his performance. As Edwards continues to refine his skills, his role within the team is expected to evolve further, potentially transforming him from a rising star into a cornerstone of the franchise.
With his standout season and the invaluable lessons he has assimilated, the Timberwolves' faithful can only look forward to what Edwards will bring to the court next. As he grows his game under the influence of the NBA's greats, Anthony Edwards is not just a player to watch—he's a player destined to lead.