Anthony Edwards

[BloopOracle]

For the first time in his career, Anthony Edwards has moved into the top 10 in defensive win shares! Such a joy to draft a generational wing scorer who actually wants to play defense as well

[Q-is-here]

For the first time in his career, Anthony Edwards has moved into the top 10 in defensive win shares! Such a joy to draft a generational wing scorer who actually wants to play defense as well

That is pretty cool, but a lot of it is a testament to his durability. He's #1 in minutes played this season, so with something like win shares, it rewards folks who are available without necessarily giving you a picture of per game or per minute effectiveness. We all know Ant can have a lot of miscues with his off ball defense. But yeah, it's rare to have a perimeter lead wing like him that is NOT a liability on defense and at times is a weapon.

[Coolbreeze44]

When Ant wants to lock a guy down he can do it, and that will be huge in the playoffs. Once Jaden learns to defend without fouling he will be even better at it due to his length. He's unable to really press up right now because of the fouls, but once he can, forget it. It's encouraging because most guys learn to avoid being foul prone over time.

[Phenom]

When Ant wants to lock a guy down he can do it, and that will be huge in the playoffs. Once Jaden learns to defend without fouling he will be even better at it due to his length. He's unable to really press up right now because of the fouls, but once he can, forget it. It's encouraging because most guys learn to avoid being foul prone over time.

In context of the Gobert trade it makes me think about how the Wolves were dead set in holding onto Jaden. I'm guessing it came out to 2 FRP to hold onto him. When people say things like, "how could they pay so much for Gobert, who were they bidding against?" I don't think the math was ever that simple. Having Jaden as an asset complicated things for the Wolves. He had to be in the deal or pay a price to keep him out. I suspect that had the Wolves not had Jaden at all there would have been less picks involves in the deal. I don't think there will be regrets about holding onto him.

[AbeVigodaLive]

When Ant wants to lock a guy down he can do it, and that will be huge in the playoffs. Once Jaden learns to defend without fouling he will be even better at it due to his length. He's unable to really press up right now because of the fouls, but once he can, forget it. It's encouraging because most guys learn to avoid being foul prone over time.

In context of the Gobert trade it makes me think about how the Wolves were dead set in holding onto Jaden. I'm guessing it came out to 2 FRP to hold onto him. When people say things like, "how could they pay so much for Gobert, who were they bidding against?" I don't think the math was ever that simple. Having Jaden as an asset complicated things for the Wolves. He had to be in the deal or pay a price to keep him out. I suspect that had the Wolves not had Jaden at all there would have been less picks involves in the deal. I don't think there will be regrets about holding onto him.

Huh?

[Phenom]

When Ant wants to lock a guy down he can do it, and that will be huge in the playoffs. Once Jaden learns to defend without fouling he will be even better at it due to his length. He's unable to really press up right now because of the fouls, but once he can, forget it. It's encouraging because most guys learn to avoid being foul prone over time.

In context of the Gobert trade it makes me think about how the Wolves were dead set in holding onto Jaden. I'm guessing it came out to 2 FRP to hold onto him. When people say things like, "how could they pay so much for Gobert, who were they bidding against?" I don't think the math was ever that simple. Having Jaden as an asset complicated things for the Wolves. He had to be in the deal or pay a price to keep him out. I suspect that had the Wolves not had Jaden at all there would have been less picks involves in the deal. I don't think there will be regrets about holding onto him.

Huh?

It was reported that the Jazz were holding firm that they wanted Jaden in the Gobert deal and also reported the Wolves refused to include him. It's likely fair to say the Wolves had to pay to keep him out of the deal. What does the deal look like if Jaden isn't even on the team at all? I think those pick(s) were contingent on protecting Jaden and that's all they were.

[Q-is-here]

I'm convinced. Ant should be an all-star. He's out-dueled Morant and Fox in consecutive nights and never misses games (unlike a ton of other so called all-stars). It would be a shame if he doesn't get selected.

[thedoper]

I'm convinced. Ant should be an all-star. He's out-dueled Morant and Fox in consecutive nights and never misses games (unlike a ton of other so called all-stars). It would be a shame if he doesn't get selected.

I agree. Oddly enough from tonight it will probably come down to him or Fox. I hope he gets the nod but it is hard to get too dogmatic if they choose Fox.

[Jester1534]

As I sit her tonight sipping on some smooth bourbon I'm trying to figure how much I believe in Anthony Edwards.

I find him fascinating as he's built like a linebacker that get to rim easily but also can be a chucker and take ill advised shots too often and could be even more efficient.

I find his personality fascinating as well. I see the effort playing though injuries and I see the love he give his teammates as he got the crowd to do Rudy chant post game tonight. Yet I saw a man come into the season out of shape to the point where they had to lie about his weight and he could barley dunk.

I been told by multiple people on this board how he's a student of the game but even tonight he took a horrendous foul and then up 7 with a minute to go he tried to go up tempo for no reason at all. Then turn over the basketball that lead to
Lead to get cut down to 4 till he dagger shot to win the game.
Yet this is basic basketball clock management that the Jv girls I coach in basketball know and I expect a 21 year old pro athlete should know as well.

I don't know probably just the booze but for everything good he does I always think of the stuff he could do better. Maybe I'm holding him to high of standards as he's only 21 years old.

Like to know if I'm the only one who feels this way or not.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Good post, Jester, and I have had similar thoughts. Remember when he was a rookie and forgot that Minnesota needed three points in the closing seconds and drove to the rim instead of taking a quality look from behind the arc? Or last year in the playoffs when he tried to jump an inbounds pass to Ja Morant in the closing seconds of Game 5 when he should have played man-defense straight up?

There are more of these moments that are highly questionable. He does not have an advanced mental game for his age or this stage of his career. His shot selection is worthy of criticism at times and the turnovers can mount quickly. The blunders are real.

However, I'm more than willing to trust in his natural ability and exceptional talent while acknowledging that he's still a 21-year old learning the NBA game more and more. He's a legitimate superstar in the making. I've rarely seen players that have his physical profile, athleticism, explosiveness, and body control paired with the handle and shot-making ability that he has. It's a special combination. If he's still making these mental mistakes at 24, 25, and 26, then I'll be much more concerned, but right now he's basically the equivalent of a college junior tasked with putting a franchise on his shoulders. I'm going to be as patient as ever.