Anthony “Ant” Edwards, only 24 years old, starts his sixth training camp with the Timberwolves this week and is one of the best basketball players in the world. Tim Connelly, the franchise’s president of basketball operations, told a media gathering Monday his superstar guard can become one of the “greatest players of all time.”
At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Edwards might be in the best condition of his life after an offseason addressing his training and his skillset—preparing to take the next step in his elite career. That step could include an NBA MVP Award and lifting his franchise to a first ever NBA Finals.
What would it take to win his first league MVP Award after having twice been named All-NBA in his career? “We gotta win,” Edwards said. “I think all MVPs win at a high level (and) average a whole bunch of points.”
Michael Jordan won five MVP awards. The first came when he was 25.
This offseason an intermediary between Edwards and Jordan provided some input for the Minnesota MVP. Edwards said he picked up on the tip of using his back to lean in on a defender, rather than establishing leverage with his butt as he has done in the past. That was trademark positioning for the GOAT.
Edwards said his communications with Jordan are just beginning. “Nah, we don’t really have no relationship how y’all think we got one right now. It’ll come in years to come but right now it’s just through somebody.”
It’s been suggested that Edwards needs to be more consistent against mediocre competition. In the past his approach has been more about getting his teammates involved than himself. He predicted a change for this season to establish more consistency and production: “Try to get a career high in points,” he said. “…I think that’s how I am going to stay engaged.”
Edwards has been diligent this off-season and hinted at a new offensive move that could be used in crunch times of games. Coach Chris Finch sees that development as one of the ways Edwards can elevate his game.
What is it? “I can’t tell you. You’ll see,” Edwards teased.
Edwards did offer that improving his clutch work could tie to playing closer to the rim. He did add, however, that what he can do sometimes is dictated by frequent double teams that limit his options.
During the off-season Edwards, who admitted today he has a troublesome lower back, wore gloves while dribbling the ball and noted “I’ve never been able to handle the ball this good in my life. “
Edwards can be a dynamic scorer with his outside shooting and driving to the hoop, plus his playmaking for teammates. He doesn’t finish at the rim with the consistency he is capable of. Finch would also like to see more consistency in his gifted player’s defense, which can be suffocating.
One of the things that should benefit the Wolves this season is having second leading scorer Julius Randle and valued sub Donte DiVincenzo with the team from the beginning of training camp. The two joined the team just before last season in the famous trade with the Knicks sending Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.
Adjustments take time and both Randle and Edwards recalled, for example, posting up in the same space on the floor during a game. That kind of confusion should be less likely now, plus all the nuances that come from teammates knowing how to work and benefit from one another. Edwards said he and Randle have been in Minneapolis all summer, adding to their experience with one another.
Other teammates were in town early, in advance of camp. Edwards thinks that can give the Wolves an edge early in the season when other teams are trying to find themselves with changed personnel. The Wolves return six of their top seven players including the starting five.
The Wolves are coming off two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals. Teams that go deep in the playoffs, Edwards believes, have togetherness. “They really care about each other,” he said.
And there’s no doubt Edwards’ teammates and the front office care about him. “He’s going to have another great year,” Connelly said about Edwards who averaged a career-high 27.6 points per game last season.
I’m hoping that Edwards continued maturity in managing the highs/lows will help him improve this year.