"I'm happy he's on my team, for his sake"- Anthony Edwards quips about 3x Defensive Player of the Year on his team who he has dunked on previously
Anthony Edwards is expected to take a big leap in his third year in the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves star averaged 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 44/36/79 shooting splits last season.
Edwards' win-shares have dramatically increased over the course of his career. They went from 0.8 in his rookie season to 4.3 last season. Anthony Edwards' impact on winning games would be a welcome improvement for the Timberwolves.
ESPN's Zach Lowe has ranked Edwards as one of the five NBA players to watch out for this season. In a recent interview, Edwards spoke about how he improved his game during the offseason:
"I gotta start seeing the help before it's in my face," he says. "And getting off the ball early, making advance passes. ... My post-ups will be a lot better," he promises. "I'm working on it now. That's all I can say."
On the defensive end of the floor, Ant expressed his propensity to block shots. He even took a playful shot at his new teammate Rudy Gobert:
"I love blocking shots," Edward says. "I might get dunked on, but I'm still coming for you."
"Speaking of dunks: I asked Edwards whether he was sad he no longer has the chance to dunk on Gobert. "I'm happy he's on my team -- for his sake"
He admitted to 'ball-watching' being one of his shortcomings on defense:
"My only problem off the ball is seeing my man," he says. "I just kind of forget I'm guarding somebody." (via) ESPN
The Timberwolves will face the OKC Thunder tonight in their season opener. It will be 3x Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert's debut with the team.
Minnesota acquired Gobert in a blockbuster trade that officially sent the Utah Jazz into a rebuild.
What are Minnesota Timberwolves' prospects with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony-Towns this season?
The Minnesota Timberwolves belong in a category of teams that are a tier below the Warriors and Clippers of the world. They should be able to contend for a playoff spot with the amount of talent they have on their roster. On paper, however, the Timberwolves look like they can give anyone in the West a run for their money.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Timberwolves have a lot of options. Gobert is almost exclusively a screener and roller on offense. Towns and Edwards can play in the paint and out on the perimeter. D'Angelo Russell and Edwards can be put in a pick-and-roll with Towns or Gobert.
On the defensive end, Gobert pretty much controls the paint. They can play Edwards, Towns, and Jaden McDaniels out on the perimeter. Their size and wingspan will be overwhelming for opposing teams.
The Wolves traded away a substantial amount of their depth this offseason. But with the acquisitions of Bryn Forbes, Kyle Anderson and Austin Rivers, they have managed to stay afloat.