Ant is going to be a superstar in this league. He has the IT factor. I see his personality as more in line with steph curry in that he plays with joy and fun. Make no mistake about it, like steph, he plays to win and is a competitor. He just isn't out there dropping F bombs every second or try to intimidate everyone and get in their head with insults and act like the toughest SOB out there. Its sort of what the new nba is about. A lot of the trash talk insults and verbal abuse players like jordan, kg or kobe used ain't going to fly in current world. Ant is 19, Supremely gifted and he knows it. He plays hard and is a guy who supports his teammates and guys like to be around. I dont see his personality as a potential concern at all.
I expect big things from him next season. 26/6/4.5/1.5 with improved efficiency is certainly achievable. If we are a playoff team next season then he and KAT are going to be named all stars.
Edwards next year
Re: Edwards next year
FNG wrote:Q12543 wrote:The improvement by Edwards this season has been stunning. If he build even a little on this second half of the season performance heading into next year, he may end up being our best player or at least give KAT a run for his money.
I couldn't agree more. While I thought Ant was the clear choice at #1, I never thought his rookie year would be as good as it has been. I dismissed his relatively poor shooting in college because every time I looked at video of him he had 3 defenders on him...I suggested that he would blossom with KAT and Dlo attracting most of the defensive attention. But I never suspected that he would become such a willing and able passer once defenses began doubling him. He's been terrific, and he's still only 19.
In addition to being an extraordinary athlete, he has a unique personality...I really don't think there is anyone like him in the league. But I haven't yet decided if this is good or not. He's joyful, which makes him a popular teammate and a fan favorite. But there's something about him that I mentioned in another thread that bugs me a little, and since it got no replies, it's likely just my issue and not relevant. But my concern is that he might lack the gravitas to truly reach his potential and become a superstar. As I look at the top 100 players of all time, the only one I can think of with as goofy a personality as Ant is Rodman. Everyone else on the list seems to have one thing in common...there's never a time on the court when they don't or didn't have their game face on. Sure, I recognize Ant is only 19. But I can remember stars like James, Bryant, Garnett, etc, at 19, and they had a seriousness about them in their rookie years that stayed with them their entire careers. Perhaps Ant is unique and he becomes the first joyful and somewhat goofy player to join the list of 100 greatest players. But it's just as likely his childlike demeanor holds him back. It's an odd concern, I know, but something that I think about often when I watch him.
But yeah, I agree Q...his improvement has been stunning. If he progresses over his next 5 years at anywhere near the pace he did this year, we have something really special here.
I disagree with you, FNG, on the gravitas. I understand what you're saying, but I see an intense competitor and assassin beyond the smile. It's evident in his play. When the team is down and struggling, that's typically when Ant steps up. And he steps up in a huge way, putting the team on his back and carrying them. What his face closely during those stretches and you'll see an intensity or determination behind the grin. I remember Magic and IsiahThomas. They smiled a lot and played with a child-like joy. But they were also known for their gravitas and were the undisputed leaders of their respective teams. I don't see him as goofy in a Rodman kind of way. Gravitas is the last thing I'd worry about with Ant. My only concerns are his shooting efficiency and defensive intensity, but he's done a lot to put those concerns to rest. The question whether he wants to be the best and, if so, how badly he wants it. If he really wants to be the best, then he'll be a superstar. If he's content to be good and simply play hard, then he'll still be a terrific all-star caliber player.
Re: Edwards next year
The thing that REALLY impressed me about Edwards rookie season was his improvement. Even several of the items mentioned on here weeks ago have already been addressed.
His shot selection in the last 20 games was so much better than the first 20 games.
Because he's able to get to the basket with ease we saw a lot of defense's sagging to the lane when his drive started, resulting in turnovers. That only lasted about a week...maybe 2.. before he started driving and kicking out. I'm not sure Wiggins has learned that yet.
He's picking up his offender in transition a lot earlier.
He's using his defensive gambles more judiciously.
And frankly, I think he's already learning to play like a superstar...finding his moments in games and making easier decisions than KAT.
I guess my one wish would be for the Wolves to find morr sets where occasionally ANT's defender is the most likely rotator and teach KAT when to get the pass out quicker.
ANT won't win ROY, and by 2024 the league will be wondering how they missed his electrifying 2nd half of the season.
His shot selection in the last 20 games was so much better than the first 20 games.
Because he's able to get to the basket with ease we saw a lot of defense's sagging to the lane when his drive started, resulting in turnovers. That only lasted about a week...maybe 2.. before he started driving and kicking out. I'm not sure Wiggins has learned that yet.
He's picking up his offender in transition a lot earlier.
He's using his defensive gambles more judiciously.
And frankly, I think he's already learning to play like a superstar...finding his moments in games and making easier decisions than KAT.
I guess my one wish would be for the Wolves to find morr sets where occasionally ANT's defender is the most likely rotator and teach KAT when to get the pass out quicker.
ANT won't win ROY, and by 2024 the league will be wondering how they missed his electrifying 2nd half of the season.
1965-2025
"He Meant Well"
"He Meant Well"
- AbeVigodaLive
- Posts: 10272
- Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Edwards next year
kekgeek1 wrote:He's averaging 23/5/3 on 43/34/77 splits since the All star break
That's a GREAT sign. It gives us all legit hope that he's on the way to stardom or near stardom.
But I think it's just
leado01 wrote:The thing that REALLY impressed me about Edwards rookie season was his improvement. Even several of the items mentioned on here weeks ago have already been addressed.
His shot selection in the last 20 games was so much better than the first 20 games.
Because he's able to get to the basket with ease we saw a lot of defense's sagging to the lane when his drive started, resulting in turnovers. That only lasted about a week...maybe 2.. before he started driving and kicking out. I'm not sure Wiggins has learned that yet.
He's picking up his offender in transition a lot earlier.
He's using his defensive gambles more judiciously.
And frankly, I think he's already learning to play like a superstar...finding his moments in games and making easier decisions than KAT.
I guess my one wish would be for the Wolves to find morr sets where occasionally ANT's defender is the most likely rotator and teach KAT when to get the pass out quicker.
ANT won't win ROY, and by 2024 the league will be wondering how they missed his electrifying 2nd half of the season.
I can't recall another rookie with that much improvement... such drastic improvement... within a rookie season.
It was remarkable. And it offers hope.
I don't care about the ROY. And if Edwards cares a ton about it... I hope he loses out to Ball. Maybe it will be one of those motivating factors some pro athletes like to cite...
- Q12543 [enjin:6621299]
- Posts: 13844
- Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Edwards next year
Drew, Here is your Ant thread.....
I agree we should not just assume he's going to be a superstar. I think what was eye-opening (as articulated in the prior posts here) is the stunning improvement in his overall effectiveness from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the season. He was basically Donovan Mitchell in the 2nd half of the season. That's pretty crazy for a 19-year old rookie.
But it's not a guarantee of further improvement, not to mention what kind of leader he could become in two or three years. KAT was a unicorn after his first season, but honestly hasn't really made any dramatic improvements to his game and has shown flaws as a leader. He's still great, but contemporaries like Embiid and Jokic have passed him by.
I agree we should not just assume he's going to be a superstar. I think what was eye-opening (as articulated in the prior posts here) is the stunning improvement in his overall effectiveness from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the season. He was basically Donovan Mitchell in the 2nd half of the season. That's pretty crazy for a 19-year old rookie.
But it's not a guarantee of further improvement, not to mention what kind of leader he could become in two or three years. KAT was a unicorn after his first season, but honestly hasn't really made any dramatic improvements to his game and has shown flaws as a leader. He's still great, but contemporaries like Embiid and Jokic have passed him by.