Anthony Edwards was the No. 1 total choose within the NBA Draft, so that is anticipated.
Excessive-flying dunks that mild up social media and switch the ‘Ant-Man’ right into a nightly viral sensation, which occurred once more on Tuesday as Edwards fully destroyed Utah’s John Collins in a 114-104 street win for Minnesota.
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“It provides me chills, man, as a result of I at all times dreamed of dunking on someone like that,†Edwards mentioned.
Making the All-Star group whereas guiding the rebuilt Timberwolves towards the highest of the Western Convention and again to the NBA playoffs.
“He’s at all times been a man who can actually flip a sport round,†Minnesota head coach Chris Finch mentioned. “Knows when to boost it. Is aware of when to make the large play.”
However the 22-year-old guard being in contrast by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal to younger variations of Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade was being coldly blasted not that way back.
Regardless of being a five-star recruit in highschool and one of many prime gamers in America getting into faculty, the 6ft 4in Atlanta native was nonetheless proving himself as he entered the NBA Draft in 2020.
In reality, Edwards was referred to as out by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr for his lack of on-court depth and work ethic.
It was a low blow for Edwards, who grew up admiring Wade, a a 13-time All Star and three-time NBA champion greatest recognized for continually rising up from powerful on-court collisions.
“I believed I used to be working onerous,” Edwards mentioned final September, in keeping with ESPN. “When he (Kerr) got here, I used to be going by means of drills and he saved stopping them, like, ‘That is all you bought? That is all you bought?’ And I am like, ‘Bruh, I am going onerous as you need me to go. What you need me to do? I am sweating loopy.’ “
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Edwards nonetheless ended up going No. 1 to Minnesota, which had just lately gone by means of a 13-year playoff drought and spent a number of seasons because the worst group within the NBA.
However Kerr and the Warriors saved pushing Edwards from afar, telling the SEC Rookie of the Yr that Golden State would not have taken the College of Georgia star if Kerr’s group held the highest choose.
The Warriors ended up taking James Wiseman at No. 2.
“He is like, ‘Man, you have to see Steph (Curry), KD (Kevin Durant) and Klay (Thompson) work out,” Edwards recalled. “They nonetheless was repeatedly telling me, ‘You did not work onerous sufficient. If we had the No. 1 choose, we would not take you.’ And I used to be identical to, ‘Rattling, that is loopy.’ “
Kerr and the Warriors have been proper — and fully improper.
Wiseman has principally been a bust by means of 4 seasons.
He is already been traded by Golden State and is now a backup massive man for the Detroit Pistons, who’re 12-56 and maintain the NBA’s second-worst document.
Edwards turned Kerr’s harsh phrases into private motivation, ending second in NBA Rookie of the Yr voting, whereas rising his scoring common every year.
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In 2023-24, Ant-Man is averaging a career-high 26.6 factors whereas capturing a career-best 46.7 p.c from the sphere and 37 p.c on 3-pointers.
His well-rounded sport options nightly averages of 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals.
However Minnesota’s present document (47-21) is Edwards’ most spectacular stat.
Regardless of dropping star massive man Karl-Anthony Cities to a meniscus tear in his left knee and subsequent surgical procedure, Edwards has saved the T-Wolves shut with Oklahoma Metropolis and Denver in an exciting race for the highest spot within the West.
It is apparent in 2024 that Ant is taking the subsequent massive leap, which left Shaq remembering the superior energy of Wade and Bryant of their youth.
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“Hear, once you’re taking part in towards a younger cat that wishes all of the smoke and he desires your spot, it do not matter whether or not you are 22,” O’Neal mentioned. “You higher proceed to play onerous, take him out, as a result of this child, he isn’t stopping. He desires it.
“This man is the system and he’s the person. Very aggressive. … He jogs my memory of a younger D-Wade, a younger Kobe. He’ll rating and he’ll get his each time. He is taking part in tremendous aggressive.
“I respect the child. I really like the child, as a result of he desires it. You speak about who’s going to be the subsequent? They point out his title generally. However he performs like, what, you’ll bear in mind the title Anthony Edwards.”
Ant-Man added to his younger legacy by working the hardwood as the very best Crew USA participant within the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Then Edwards’ title was in every single place on social media on Tuesday, after he unleashed a monster slam that required a number of viewings for a full appreciation.
“Oh my God,” Edwards mentioned. “Hey, that is the very best dunk of my profession, I am not going to lie.”