The Ascendance of Anthony Edwards

[Coolbreeze44]

I believe this deserves a thread. I hope I don't bring too much hyperbole to this discussion, but I'm feeling different about Ant today.

Many of us have had our frustrations with Ant from time to time, myself included. We've been critical of his play in the clutch and his decision making at critical times. But what we saw last night should get every Wolves fan thinking that maybe we can have nice things. Now it was just one game, but consider:

- Who has a greater competitive mindset than Ant today? He believes he can become and wants to be the best. And his effort is almost unparalleled.

- Look at the front runners for MVP. You've got Joker, Giannis, Luka, maybe Shai and Tatum. Do any of those guys possess the 2-way ability that Ant does? Maybe Giannis but not as a shooter.

- Look at what happened during the game last night. First he sprains his ankle that forces him to the locker room. Did anybody doubt that he would come back? Of course not. Then he falls flat on his back from 6' in the air while trying to protect his ankle. Again he has to leave the court. And of course he comes back again. Then he puts the entire team on his back and wills us into a close game down the stretch.

- And then he completely dominates the last 71 seconds of the game, making shot after shot, and then culminating in the ridiculous block that wins the game.

- He hits his head on the rim while he is still rising, and the only thing preventing him from the top of the backboard was the backboard itself. And don't forget, he did this with a sprained ankle and what must have been a sore back.

Here is my point: When you combine the physical gifts with the tenacity, the competitiveness, the will to win, and the effort on both ends, you have the closest thing to Jordan we have ever seen. Would you trade him for anyone but maybe Joker? Now that he has done what he did last night, he might ascend to the next level, whatever that is. It sucks to lose KAT for a few weeks, but Wolves fan can take heart. If you're honest with yourself, Ant is the best one on one basketball player in the world right now and he's only 22. He's better than all of them because along with all the special traits I mentioned above, he's simply the best athlete. And when he wants to turn it on, there is nobody that can play with him.

The playoffs are going to be his coming out party this year. He's going to do things that no one has seen since Michael. And on those closing possessions when he's matched up against Murray or Tatum, he's going to win those encounters. I don't care how well someone else is playing, NO one can reach the level of play Ant can. They just don't have the same gifts and fire that he does. Sit back and enjoy guys.

[60WinTim]

Here is a bigger picture perspective:

TC has made a point of surrounding ANT with "adults". And KAT's injury last year forced ANT into the fast lane for development. That development has continued this year, although he is certainly not a finished product -- which you would not expect from a 22 year old.

But now KAT is sidelined again. Does that put ANT into another level of developmental fast lane?

The Audubon?

[Wolvesfan21]

If you count his defense, yeah he is maybe the best one on one player right now. A few guys are close though. SGA and Tatum imo. We DO need to see more consistency though.

[davemang]

https://x.com/DaneMooreNBA/status/17659 ... 44163?s=20

Dane Moore
@DaneMooreNBA
·
21h
Walking out of the media section and just heard a dad in a pacers jersey say to his son, “you just watched a legend win a basketball game”

[Q-is-here]

I agree that Ant is elite in terms of his two-way athleticism and confidence. He still has a basketball IQ problem in my opinion, which is different from mental toughness/confidence. Ultimately that is why I have a hard time seeing him reach the heights of guys like Jokic, LeBron, Magic, etc.

[thedoper]

He is the best thing to happen to this franchise. I cant believe we get to watch him night by night and have the opportunity to nitpick his game at 22. The fact that we are comparing him to top 5 players who are a few years older than him is telling.

[60WinTim]

So, this post began a 2-game losing streak! But then ANT played a really good game to lead the Wolves over the Clippers.

Has anyone noticed a recent addition to ANT's game? He would always drive to the hoop, leaning on bully ball, and zing by the rim as he put it off the glass. Lately we have seen him not seeking out as much contact, but actually slow up and put the ball in off the glass with much more control. It's been a nice addition. Maybe it will help ward off injuries. KAT could take some lessons!

[Wolvesfan21]

So, this post began a 2-game losing streak! But then ANT played a really good game to lead the Wolves over the Clippers.

Has anyone noticed a recent addition to ANT's game? He would always drive to the hoop, leaning on bully ball, and zing by the rim as he put it off the glass. Lately we have seen him not seeking out as much contact, but actually slow up and put the ball in off the glass with much more control. It's been a nice addition. Maybe it will help ward off injuries. KAT could take some lessons!

I'll reiterate what I said before. We do need more consistency overall. I think that will simply come with time. At his best he's a top 5 player and even MVP candidate. But to reach that top step you need far more elite games then stinkers. Guys like Jokic are very consistent. SGA has been very consistent, but again he's older. Ant is still only 22 so I think his trajectory is right on.

Also more assists and less turnovers. I love his ability to score from anywhere. Though his shot was flat from 3P last game. Maybe tired legs.

[davemang]

Ant has the best deceleration move in the association. Seems like he always makes a bucket - either by laying it up when the D thinks he’s pulling up for a floater by keeping his footing and stepping around them or doing the little one handed fade/floater if they don’t bite on it and give him space.

He might be the best slasher in the league (scoring-wise that is, play making is getting better too though).

[Coolbreeze44]

So, this post began a 2-game losing streak! But then ANT played a really good game to lead the Wolves over the Clippers.

Has anyone noticed a recent addition to ANT's game? He would always drive to the hoop, leaning on bully ball, and zing by the rim as he put it off the glass. Lately we have seen him not seeking out as much contact, but actually slow up and put the ball in off the glass with much more control. It's been a nice addition. Maybe it will help ward off injuries. KAT could take some lessons!

I'll reiterate what I said before. We do need more consistency overall. I think that will simply come with time. At his best he's a top 5 player and even MVP candidate. But to reach that top step you need far more elite games then stinkers. Guys like Jokic are very consistent. SGA has been very consistent, but again he's older. Ant is still only 22 so I think his trajectory is right on.

Also more assists and less turnovers. I love his ability to score from anywhere. Though his shot was flat from 3P last game. Maybe tired legs.

I think something that will help him get to the next level is diet and conditioning. He's not anywhere near his best in terms of taking care of his body. It's not something you can really do during the season, he has to dedicate himself in the offseason to develop the best version of himself. I'm not sure he has or will ever get that drive, but we can hope.