Anthony Edwards, a rising star in the NBA, has been recognized as one of the top players in the league. He was ranked No. 10 on CBS Sports’ annual Top 100 NBA players list and is expected to continue his upward trajectory. Last season, Edwards had a breakout performance with career highs in various categories. He earned his first All-NBA selection and finished seventh in MVP voting. In the playoffs, he further improved his game, increasing his scoring average and shooting percentages. Edwards also showcased his defensive skills during this time.
During Timberwolves media day, Edwards spoke about how impactful it was for him to observe his Team USA teammates during their journey to Olympic gold in Paris. He specifically mentioned Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry’s impressive performances during practices. He also paid close attention to LeBron James’ pregame routine as he prepares to play at a high level despite being almost 40 years old.
One aspect that stood out to Edwards was Curry’s ability to move without the ball. This observation has inspired him to incorporate similar off-ball movement into his own game with the Timberwolves. By cutting and finding open spaces on the court, Edwards believes he can create easier scoring opportunities for himself.
Curry’s off-ball movement has been praised by many players in the league because it presents a unique challenge for defenders who are used to guarding players with the ball in their hands most of the time. Curry’s constant motion makes it difficult for defenders to keep up and opens up scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Edwards recognizes that adopting this style of play requires commitment and conditioning since it involves continuous movement even when not directly involved in a play. However, if he can consistently implement this strategy into his game, it could make him even more difficult for opponents to defend.
by learning from some of basketball’s greatest players like Durant, Curry, and James, Anthony Edwards aims to elevate his game further as he progresses through his NBA career.