Strange how no one is talking about this kid, was he not the #1 overall pick in this past draft? The 2020 NBA Draft supposedly does not have any difference and I highly disagree. I see at least 4 all-stars in this draft with Anthony Edwards being one of them. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been on the upward I guess, they re-signed Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez and even acquired former Timberwolf Ricky Rubio to provide a spark off the bench unless Ryan Saunders has plans of bringing Edwards or Russell off the bench which wouldn’t be the wisest choice. It wouldn’t be wise to think the arrival of Anthony Edwards means a playoff berth for the Minnesota Timberwolves who have done some retooling with the departures of Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins. I think Edwards can instantly average 18-20 points per game his very first season, the kid is a work-horse and has the physical abilities to be able to impact the game on both ends of the floor a lot like former great Dwyane Wade did.
That two way potential to go with two weak links on defense in D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns bodes well for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves lack a power-forward at the moment but a core four of Russell,Edwards,Culver,and Towns is certainly something to work with. Anthony Edwards will more than likely be the second option behind Karl Anthony-Towns. I know D’Angelo Russell can score 40-50 points whenever he wants to but it would be wise for him to have a more unselfish approach playing alongside a scorer like Anthony Edwards. Edwards has unlimited range and can shoot from the parking-lot, he is undersized for a shooting-guard but at 225 will have the ability to guard up to 3 positions on the court and serve as a small-forward for the Timberwolves throughout games. Edwards All-NBA defense potential that will just be a matter of his approach to the game and his motor which is not something in question.
The only concern with Anthony Edwards is how great does he want to be? Does he want to settle as a guard that averages 20-25 points per game for a span of 10-13 years or does he want to be a All-NBA 1st Team selection and become a top 5 player in the NBA? I think Anthony Edwards could become a top 5 player in the NBA 4-5 years from now but for his rookie season he should be looking to focus on basketball and forget about the next track Damian Lillard will be dropping. The kid has a passion for music I’ve heard and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that he just needs to remember he was indeed selected #1 overalla nd with that comes expectations, just ask Lonzo Ball. Edwards will have Towns to alleviate some of that pressure as Towns is the one making the big dollars after re-signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a 5 year $190 million dollar extension. I’m putting more pressure on Towns to step up and be that leader for the Timberwolves but I’m also expecting Edwards to win Rookie of the Year and show us he’s the next great wing.
In a loaded Western Conference I’d say most would put the Lakers,Clippers,Warriors,Mavericks, and Nuggets as locks to make the playoffs and after those 5 teams any other West team aside from Thunder has a chance to grab the last 3 spots in the West with the Timberwolves being one of them. If you are Anthony Edwards and you want to take the league by storm a good way to put the league on notice would be helping Towns lead the Timberwolves into the 2021 NBA Playoffs this coming year. If I felt the addition of Anthony Edwards wouldn’t be sufficient to help the Timberwolves make the playoffs I would not be writing this article, I really think this kid is going to be better than every shooting guard not named James Harden over the next few years and yes that includes Devin Booker,Bradley Beal,and Klay Thompson. By the year 2030 I think Anthony Edwards will be better than James Harden ever has been but for now it’s all about development for Anthony.
To conclude what impressed me the most about Anthony was how he said he’d be blessed to suit up for whichever organization drafts him and that showed me he will embrace the opportunity to play on the biggest stage basketball could offer. I think Anthony Edwards will put the Timberwolves on the map and they’ll be contending for a championship 2 years from now, with the way the game is played now at such a fast pace Anthony Edwards will flourish in the open floor in transition knocking down 3’s and going off for 30-35 points knocking down over 4 3 pointers a night. I once thought to myself watching Dwyane Wade in his prime man if this dude ever becomes a knock down shooter from the 3 point line he’ll be better than Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, unfortunately we never saw that. I personally think Wade is the second best shooting guard behind Jordan as a I think he was a better overall player than Kobe, believe me when I say Edwards will someday eclipse Kobe and Wade till next time.
D-NBA 