Anthony Edwards has swiftly positioned himself as one of the NBA's most promising new stars. His exceptional skill set and continuous improvement have garnered him widespread recognition and a spot at No. 10 on the CBS Sports Top 100 NBA players list, a testament to his rising status in the league.
Breakout Performances and Career Highs
Last season marked a significant leap for Edwards as he posted career highs across various metrics, earning his first All-NBA selection. His prolific contributions on both ends of the court propelled the Minnesota Timberwolves to lofty heights, culminating in a Western Conference finals appearance. Furthermore, his stellar season saw him finish seventh in the MVP voting, solidifying his impact and value to his team.
Throughout the regular season, Edwards's scoring average stood at 25.9 points per game (PPG) but notably surged to 27.6 PPG during the playoffs. His assists also saw a substantial increase from 5.1 per game in the regular season to 6.5 in the postseason. His shooting efficiency followed this upward trend, with his overall shooting percentage climbing from 46% to 48% in the playoffs and his three-point accuracy improving from 35.7% to an impressive 40%.
Learning from the Best
Edwards's growth can be attributed to his relentless work ethic and willingness to learn from the elite. His experience with Team USA provided him the unique opportunity to observe and assimilate the routines and practices of top-tier athletes.
"I think the best part about the whole [Olympic experience] was the practices," Edwards noted, emphasizing the invaluable lessons gleaned from his time with some of the game's greatest players. Drawing inspiration from LeBron James and Stephen Curry, he meticulously adopted aspects of their pregame routines and playstyles. "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."
Enhancing His Off-Ball Skills
Inspired by Curry's off-ball movement, Edwards has started to incorporate similar techniques into his own game. The off-ball dynamics that Curry employs add a layer of complexity that defenders find hard to counter, a skill that Edwards is beginning to master. The increased movement not only creates scoring opportunities for himself but also opens up the floor for his teammates.
However, maintaining this high level of off-ball activity requires peak physical fitness, another area where Edwards is focusing his efforts. The anticipatory chemistry that Curry has built with his teammates over the years is something Edwards aspires to develop with the Timberwolves, understanding that such synergy is crucial for team success.
Future Outlook
As Edwards continues to evolve his game by learning from the best, the future looks incredibly promising for the young star. With his scoring, assisting, and shooting metrics already on an upward trajectory, adding the intricacies of off-ball movement to his repertoire could transform him into an even more formidable force in the NBA.
Anthony Edwards's journey is a compelling narrative of rapid growth, learning, and adaptation. As he integrates these lessons into his game, he stands poised to not just meet but exceed the lofty expectations placed on him, potentially carving out a legacy of his own in the annals of NBA history.