Minnesota Sports Forum

As a side note, I know people are convinced that Edwards is a 2 guard that would be forced to play the 3 based on need/roster, but keep in mind the kid just turned 19 in August and has grown an inch or so in the past year, and it's not unreasonable to think he might grow another inch or two in the next couple years. He may be 6'6" or 6'7" when all is said and done.

mrhockey89 wrote:As a side note, I know people are convinced that Edwards is a 2 guard that would be forced to play the 3 based on need/roster, but keep in mind the kid just turned 19 in August and has grown an inch or so in the past year, and it's not unreasonable to think he might grow another inch or two in the next couple years. He may be 6'6" or 6'7" when all is said and done.

Exactly Hockey. And even if he doesn't get much taller, he certainly has the weight and athleticism to mix it up with most NBA 3's. Hell, he's already heavier than a lot of 4's even. The least of his problems is going to be positional. It's all going to come down to effort, decision making, and on-court IQ.

Edwards has a 6'10 wingspan, he should be able to play the three

Edwards will be forced to play the three more often than not whether it's his best position or not, especially after Beasley just got paid. Edwards is probably better suited to both defend and be defended by twos, but he'll be fine physically against threes. It's his mental that's the main question.

Camden wrote:Edwards will be forced to play the three more often than not whether it's his best position or not, especially after Beasley just got paid. Edwards is probably better suited to both defend and be defended by twos, but he'll be fine physically against threes. It's his mental that's the main question.

As you said Cam mental stuff is the thing about Edwards...I think most would agree thats the issue not a lack of skill or athletic ability. I think the people including myself that have concerns about have have concerns in a few different areas of mental makeup but if he turns that around to even some extent...it feels like we have a pretty good player. I know he didn't shoot that well from 3 but he doesn't look like a bad shooter more a guy that took bad shots. I think the thing I don't have any concerns about him currently is him doing stupid stuff. He seems like a pretty good kid. Watching the PC with him and McDainels I can see what Crean is saying about him maybe being sort of naive and young. He does seem to have a possible fun personality.

Can Edwards play the 3? More than likely. The point is that you go from having a guaranteed physical advantage at the 2 to hoping he can match 3's and knowing that he's just no match for the best 3's in the game. You should take your advantages when you can get them and exploit them, not throw them away just to be even elsewhere on the floor. Russell playing PG is an advantage with him being 6'4 and using that height to get his shot off easier since he isn't an elite athlete. When you move him to the 2 he can handle it size wise, but again you are throwing away your advantage at PG. We go from a Russell/Edwards backcourt which have physical advantages at both positions to Russell/Edwards at the 2/3 and trying to match up to your opponent. Good teams impose their will on the opposition, they don't try to match it.

Here is a video of Mike Schmitz going through some Film with Edwards after a few games at Georgia. It's kinda interesting to see Edwards personality.

https://youtu.be/iPa8o9mkhMo

Thanks for posting, monsterpile. I remember watching that video early this past summer, and that's the moment I started thinking of Edward's as the likely 1st pick in the draft. His frame and athletic ability are undeniable, but I like how his character comes out in this video. He's an enormously energetic, likable kid, and appears to be quite the student of the game- especially for an 18-year-old kid. He has clearly watched most of these clips multiple times because in almost all instances he recognizes the outcome of the play immediately- that's a good sign. I especially liked how he watches and reacts to his defender's head and feet before making his move. And I love the balance between his confidence and enthusiasm when he does something right, and his lack of defensiveness when he does something wrong. I think he is going to be highly coachable- let's just hope Saunders et al are up to the task of helping him realize his potential.

I have some concern about his lack of defensive intensity at times, and I know others on this board do too. I agree with him that he can be an elite on-ball defender but sometimes lacks intensity and knowledge off-ball. I guess it's good at least that he cops to his deficiencies in this area. He will need to improve his off-ball skills in order to reach his defensive potential.

The amount of defensive attention he attracted being on a poor Georgia team is evident in these clips too. It's fun to think about what this kid might do when defenses have to focus more on KAT and DLO than him.

I just think it's going to take a while with Edwards, even if he is destined for greatness. We should all expect him to be a net negative while on the floor this year.

Q12543 wrote:I just think it's going to take a while with Edwards, even if he is destined for greatness. We should all expect him to be a net negative while on the floor this year.

Yeah and that would have likely been the case with any of those supposed top 3. Edwards played the most competitive basketball out of all of them last year! With all those games under his belt I guess Edwards is "born ready" like the guy you brought up in another thread as a comp for Edwards Lance Stephenson! :)