After main his crew to the Western Convention finals final season, nobody was extra assured than Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards.
Speaking the speak has at all times come straightforward for Edwards. Previous to the 2024 playoffs, he shared a self-assessment that he reached simply 40 % of his full potential. He was additionally the self-proclaimed No. 1 possibility on Staff USA on the Paris Olympics, placing himself over future Corridor of Famers LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
After which there have been his feedback from “Beginning 5,” Netflix’s 10-episode docuseries that got here out this previous October.
“Once you’re in your prime, you’re like 26. The s— that I’m doing, I’m doing this s— at 22,” Edwards mentioned. “Think about once I’m 25, 26, when this s— is ideal, every thing is perfected.”
Edwards was removed from good on Thursday night time, making solely 5 of 16 photographs from the sector in 36 minutes of motion to complete with 15 factors in a 118-115 loss to the Boston Celtics on primetime tv.
When Minnesota wanted Edwards essentially the most, he was nowhere to be discovered. The primary general collection of the 2020 draft went 1-for-2 on the free-throw line to stop the Timberwolves from pulling inside 110-105 with 4:36 remaining, then missed a wide-open layup with 1:50 to go and his crew in an eight-point gap.
Nonetheless, Minnesota saved combating to make it a one-possession sport within the ultimate seconds, however Edwards was method off the mark on a possible game-tying triple on the buzzer.
Thank goodness he’s solely working at 40 % of his full potential, although, proper?
Edwards is formally in a hunch, with averages of 18.9 factors (on 39.3 % taking pictures general and 35.4 % taking pictures from lengthy vary), 6.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists over his previous eight video games. The Timberwolves have gone 3-5 throughout that span.
So, it is perhaps time for Edwards to take his foot off the gasoline just a bit bit on the subject of being cocky. All he actually has below his belt is a pair of All-Star appearances and a powerful playoff run. One sturdy playoff run, that’s.
One.
Gamers much more embellished than Edwards haven’t run their mouths practically as a lot, and Edwards can solely draw extra consideration to his subpar performances if he continues to behave like he’s already working the league on the age of 23.
This isn’t to say that Edwards isn’t one of many high younger abilities within the league. He’s. And he’ll possible bounce again sooner relatively than later. Nonetheless, very hardly ever does modesty ever harm anybody. Conceitedness, however, does.
Edwards clearly nonetheless has some rawness to him, and he’ll solely turn out to be an increasing number of mature over time. Subsequent time he goes off for 40 factors or leads the Timberwolves to an announcement win within the postseason, possibly he’ll keep in mind to proceed to easily let his play do the speaking.