Minnesota Sports Forum

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 3:10 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2026 8:56 pm One of the more interesting things about Edwards season this year was how he handled drives to the rim, it was completely different this year.

25-26' was his lowest drives per game in his career at just 11. What's crazy tho? He averaged 10 points a game on drives. Nearly a point per drive is insane!

Here's the contrast from the last two seasons

23-24': 14.6 drives/ 10.7 pts
24'-25': 13.2 drives/ 8.5 pts

Much more efficient scoring when driving to the basket, but where it gets interesting is his passing and assist rate

24': pass%- 30.9, ast%- 8.5
25': pass%- 33.1, ast%- 8.1
26': pass%- 23.4, ast%- 5.3

Was less passing and naturally less assist. The drop in assist from 24 to 26 is more than half an assist per game. It tracks with my eye test too because I can't even remember a drive and kick pass from him. Not that it didn't happen, it just didn't stick out. It would be incredibly interesting to understand the reason or cause for this. How conscious of a decision was it? Can we get back to that drive and kick style he was pretty good at in the 24' season?

It's funny that two of the best drive and kickers are Shai and Luka, neither of which are straight line speed drivers to the basket. Deni is one the others who great at it but it much more of straight line drivers.

Just an interesting thing I followed through the year

I think Ant looked to score as the stats say a bit too much, rather then make the better play. I'm with you on the eye test. He almost got worse as a passer and forced up more tough mids or long twos which is what he worked on. I thought his overall offensive game was maybe on par with 24 and 25, but I think he has more work to do. When to pass, how to use his gavity to pull defenders to him then disc to the open man.

Considering where he started his career, he's gotten obviously way better. But still, no where near the upper echelon of passers.

I think ideally we see a better playmaker and team defender in Ant next season. Those were probably his two weaknesses.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 6:20 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 3:32 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2026 8:56 pm One of the more interesting things about Edwards season this year was how he handled drives to the rim, it was completely different this year.

25-26' was his lowest drives per game in his career at just 11. What's crazy tho? He averaged 10 points a game on drives. Nearly a point per drive is insane!

Here's the contrast from the last two seasons

23-24': 14.6 drives/ 10.7 pts
24'-25': 13.2 drives/ 8.5 pts

Much more efficient scoring when driving to the basket, but where it gets interesting is his passing and assist rate

24': pass%- 30.9, ast%- 8.5
25': pass%- 33.1, ast%- 8.1
26': pass%- 23.4, ast%- 5.3

Was less passing and naturally less assist. The drop in assist from 24 to 26 is more than half an assist per game. It tracks with my eye test too because I can't even remember a drive and kick pass from him. Not that it didn't happen, it just didn't stick out. It would be incredibly interesting to understand the reason or cause for this. How conscious of a decision was it? Can we get back to that drive and kick style he was pretty good at in the 24' season?

It's funny that two of the best drive and kickers are Shai and Luka, neither of which are straight line speed drivers to the basket. Deni is one the others who great at it but it much more of straight line drivers.

Just an interesting thing I followed through the year

In years past Ant liked to look for Jaden, Mike, and Naz in the corners on those drive and kicks in the corners. Jaden wasn't playing as much in the corners this year, and Mike didn't play much. He had some assists to Julius on drive and kicks. We were one of the lower volume corner three point shooters, so that is certainly something they should be focusing on. Both OKC and San Antonio give up a lot of corner threes.

That's a great point Rap! Players who can actually shoot from the corners should be priority

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 7:21 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 6:20 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 3:32 pm

In years past Ant liked to look for Jaden, Mike, and Naz in the corners on those drive and kicks in the corners. Jaden wasn't playing as much in the corners this year, and Mike didn't play much. He had some assists to Julius on drive and kicks. We were one of the lower volume corner three point shooters, so that is certainly something they should be focusing on. Both OKC and San Antonio give up a lot of corner threes.

That's a great point Rap! Players who can actually shoot from the corners should be priority

Naz is extremely good from the corners.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 6:26 pm

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 3:10 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2026 8:56 pm One of the more interesting things about Edwards season this year was how he handled drives to the rim, it was completely different this year.

25-26' was his lowest drives per game in his career at just 11. What's crazy tho? He averaged 10 points a game on drives. Nearly a point per drive is insane!

Here's the contrast from the last two seasons

23-24': 14.6 drives/ 10.7 pts
24'-25': 13.2 drives/ 8.5 pts

Much more efficient scoring when driving to the basket, but where it gets interesting is his passing and assist rate

24': pass%- 30.9, ast%- 8.5
25': pass%- 33.1, ast%- 8.1
26': pass%- 23.4, ast%- 5.3

Was less passing and naturally less assist. The drop in assist from 24 to 26 is more than half an assist per game. It tracks with my eye test too because I can't even remember a drive and kick pass from him. Not that it didn't happen, it just didn't stick out. It would be incredibly interesting to understand the reason or cause for this. How conscious of a decision was it? Can we get back to that drive and kick style he was pretty good at in the 24' season?

It's funny that two of the best drive and kickers are Shai and Luka, neither of which are straight line speed drivers to the basket. Deni is one the others who great at it but it much more of straight line drivers.

Just an interesting thing I followed through the year

I think Ant looked to score as the stats say a bit too much, rather then make the better play. I'm with you on the eye test. He almost got worse as a passer and forced up more tough mids or long twos which is what he worked on. I thought his overall offensive game was maybe on par with 24 and 25, but I think he has more work to do. When to pass, how to use his gavity to pull defenders to him then disc to the open man.

Considering where he started his career, he's gotten obviously way better. But still, no where near the upper echelon of passers.

I think ideally we see a better playmaker and team defender in Ant next season. Those were probably his two weaknesses.

I mean to be fair he scored on 91.4% of the time when driving to the basket. It's hard to imagine that passing out of that would have truly been the better play. For context, Luka and Zion had scoring percentages around 78%. Edwards was likely the most efficient scorer on these plays with that volume.

The issue I believe is that he drove less to the basket this year and didn't develop as a passer from other spots on the floor

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 7:48 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 7:21 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 6:20 pm
That's a great point Rap! Players who can actually shoot from the corners should be priority

Naz is extremely good from the corners.

Of course! I suppose it would have been appropriate to say "more" players

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 10:23 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 7:48 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 7:21 pm

Naz is extremely good from the corners.

Of course! I suppose it would have been appropriate to say "more" players

Yes, but if Naz were promoted to the starting PF role he and Ant would overlap a lot more.

Jaden was really good from the corners in the regular season as well, but he doesn't have as long of a track record as Naz as it was just this year his 3-point shot really emerged (and then disappeared in the playoffs ).

I do think one of the priorities besides finding another ball handler would be to find a 3&D wing that is an upgrade to Clark and allows Jaden to spend more time off ball defensively. That's why the Randle for Wiggins trade that KiwiMatt brought up makes some sense.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2026 9:03 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 10:23 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 7:48 pm

Of course! I suppose it would have been appropriate to say "more" players

Yes, but if Naz were promoted to the starting PF role he and Ant would overlap a lot more.

Jaden was really good from the corners in the regular season as well, but he doesn't have as long of a track record as Naz as it was just this year his 3-point shot really emerged (and then disappeared in the playoffs ).

I do think one of the priorities besides finding another ball handler would be to find a 3&D wing that is an upgrade to Clark and allows Jaden to spend more time off ball defensively. That's why the Randle for Wiggins trade that KiwiMatt brought up makes some sense.

Fair point about Naz and Jaden.

I completely agree about getting a 3andD, definitely a top priority for me.
But you've run out of starting spots Q. If Naz is starting PF, Jaden is off ball more, and you get a real PG... Where does Wig or whoever play?

For the record Naz says he wants to play SF

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2026 9:29 am

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2026 9:03 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 10:23 pm

Yes, but if Naz were promoted to the starting PF role he and Ant would overlap a lot more.

Jaden was really good from the corners in the regular season as well, but he doesn't have as long of a track record as Naz as it was just this year his 3-point shot really emerged (and then disappeared in the playoffs ).

I do think one of the priorities besides finding another ball handler would be to find a 3&D wing that is an upgrade to Clark and allows Jaden to spend more time off ball defensively. That's why the Randle for Wiggins trade that KiwiMatt brought up makes some sense.

Fair point about Naz and Jaden.

I completely agree about getting a 3andD, definitely a top priority for me.
But you've run out of starting spots Q. If Naz is starting PF, Jaden is off ball more, and you get a real PG... Where does Wig or whoever play?

For the record Naz says he wants to play SF

I would also highlight that if we go and get a real PG, where does that leave Ayo. The answer is "first guard off the bench". But I worry that his desire to re-sign with the Wolves could be tarnished by such a move...

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2026 9:03 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 10:23 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 7:48 pm

Of course! I suppose it would have been appropriate to say "more" players

Yes, but if Naz were promoted to the starting PF role he and Ant would overlap a lot more.

Jaden was really good from the corners in the regular season as well, but he doesn't have as long of a track record as Naz as it was just this year his 3-point shot really emerged (and then disappeared in the playoffs ).

I do think one of the priorities besides finding another ball handler would be to find a 3&D wing that is an upgrade to Clark and allows Jaden to spend more time off ball defensively. That's why the Randle for Wiggins trade that KiwiMatt brought up makes some sense.

Fair point about Naz and Jaden.

I completely agree about getting a 3andD, definitely a top priority for me.
But you've run out of starting spots Q. If Naz is starting PF, Jaden is off ball more, and you get a real PG... Where does Wig or whoever play?

For the record Naz says he wants to play SF

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2026 11:27 am

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2026 9:03 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 10:23 pm

Yes, but if Naz were promoted to the starting PF role he and Ant would overlap a lot more.

Jaden was really good from the corners in the regular season as well, but he doesn't have as long of a track record as Naz as it was just this year his 3-point shot really emerged (and then disappeared in the playoffs ).

I do think one of the priorities besides finding another ball handler would be to find a 3&D wing that is an upgrade to Clark and allows Jaden to spend more time off ball defensively. That's why the Randle for Wiggins trade that KiwiMatt brought up makes some sense.

Fair point about Naz and Jaden.

I completely agree about getting a 3andD, definitely a top priority for me.
But you've run out of starting spots Q. If Naz is starting PF, Jaden is off ball more, and you get a real PG... Where does Wig or whoever play?

For the record Naz says he wants to play SF

I'd bring Wiggins off the bench, probably for Naz, with Jaden sliding to the 4. I don't think Jaden should completely shed himself of POA responsibilities, but he should do less of it so that he can continue expanding other parts of his game.

Naz can play SF in bigger lineups.