Anthony Edwards is rapidly emerging as one of the NBA's brightest stars, solidifying his place among the league's elite. Ranked No. 10 on the CBS Sports Top 100 NBA players list, Edwards's meteoric rise comes on the back of a season filled with significant milestones and accolades.
Last season, Edwards posted career highs across a variety of metrics, demonstrating his all-round development as a player. His stellar performances earned him his first All-NBA selection and he finished seventh in MVP voting—a remarkable achievement for such a young talent.
Edwards's contributions were instrumental in leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals. His scoring average notably increased from 25.9 points per game (PPG) in the regular season to 27.6 PPG in the playoffs. This scoring surge demonstrated his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most.
Not only did Edwards show proficiency in scoring, but his playmaking abilities also saw a notable improvement. His assists rose from 5.1 per game in the regular season to 6.5 in the playoffs, showcasing his versatility and expanding skill set. Additionally, his shooting efficiency improved under playoff pressure, climbing 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.
Learning from the Best
A pivotal component of Edwards's rapid development can be attributed to his time with Team USA. During this period, he had the invaluable opportunity to observe and learn from the routines and practices of top-tier athletes.
"I think the best part about the whole [Olympic experience] was the practices," Edwards said, emphasizing the significance of this learning environment. This exposure allowed Edwards to glean insights on preparation and execution from the best in the business.
One of the most influential aspects of his learning was adopting LeBron James's pregame routine and Stephen Curry's off-ball movement. "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," he shared.
Incorporating New Skills
Edwards has started to incorporate off-ball movement into his game, a skill that Stephen Curry has mastered to perfection. This element adds a layer of complexity that defenders struggle to counter, underscoring the importance of high levels of off-ball activity in maintaining peak performance on the court.
For Edwards, the incorporation of these skills requires great physical fitness, as maintaining high levels of off-ball activity is demanding. The ability to move tirelessly without the ball and create easy scoring opportunities is a testament to his commitment to improvement and adaptability.
Great players like Stephen Curry have built anticipatory chemistry with their teammates over years of collaboration. Edwards is on a similar path, gradually developing a deeper understanding with his Timberwolves teammates, a key factor that could propel both him and the team to greater heights in the future.
Anthony Edwards's journey is one of continuous learning and adaptation. By integrating the techniques and practices of the legends of the game into his skill set, Edwards is setting himself up for sustained success. As he continues to evolve, the NBA can look forward to many more seasons of his electrifying performances and game-changing contributions.