Author of 25 points at 46% success including 40% at 3-points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists for his first series of career playoffs, Anthony Edwards does not have to be ashamed of his performances for his entry into the ” postseason”. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to topple Ja Morant’s Grizzlies.
“It’s not always about pulling out an amazing action, it’s more about doing the right action at the right time,” thus details Chris Finch on the axes of progression of his sophomore. “What interests me with Ant this summer is to help him soften the edges of his game. He is really good on a few points but he needs a plan to get where he wants to go. »
Already capable of attacking the circle with ferocity, Anthony Edwards still lacks the control to better manage the play in transition and his changes of speed.
“We want him to complete what he already masters well”
Too inclined to attempt outside shots when leaving a dribble or on difficult “stepbacks”, the young wolf sometimes walks on the quay! Especially since he shoots 41% behind the arc in shot reception, more automatic…
Because he would do much better to go and show off his physique on percussion or simply on taking positions at the low post. Faced with opponents that he dominates almost every time physically.
“Those are the things that will allow him to grow enormously and become even better at what he does well,” continues Chris Finch. “We don’t want him to add a lot of things to his game right now. We want him to complete what he already masters well. »
Guilty of early mistakes like his famous interception attempt against Ja Morant at the end of Game 5, Anthony Edwards simply had to learn from his own mistakes. Against Memphis, he managed a very good Game 1 with 36 points and 6 assists, even if he had already insisted too much from afar (4/11)…
“I know people will say that I’m not good at half distance, so this summer I’m going to work on my shooting to score everywhere. The floaters, the mid-distance, the circle finishes, the 3-pointers, everything”, commented an Anthony Edwards necessarily a little grumpy for his end-of-season interview. “The 3-point shot will always be at the top of the list because you always have to be sharp. Some are naturally good, but not me! I have to work on it. But of course I also want to do mid-range shooting and low post. To score everywhere but also better read the game and better understand what is happening. »
From 33% in his rookie season to 36% this season behind the arc, Anthony Edwards even did better in the playoffs at more than 40%. But he still knows his shot selection leaves too much to be desired. We will have to clean up all that and vary his offensive palette to bring out more of this undeniable talent at all levels.
“He is really special”, adds Karl-Anthony Towns. “What he can do at his age says a lot, especially since I don’t think he knows what he’s doing yet. With this experience, Ant will be able to understand things better and not just play but change games. It is in this sense that it will evolve to pass a new course. »
” I am impatient. As soon as we talk about progress, I get excited.”
With two NBA seasons in the legs, and a qualification in the playoffs for his second year at only 20 years old, Anthony Edwards is far from being behind the passage times of the greatest. But with his combination of athleticism and pure talent, he can definitely go higher…
“I have made progress in my reading of opposing defenses but I still think I have a lot of room for improvement in this area. I am not yet doing enough readings to weaken the defense. But I’ll get to it this summer. »
Sullen when he arrived in the press room, the kid from Georgia came out with the banana. Inevitably under the influence of disappointment after the defeat in the playoffs, he regained his joy of life so communicative as questions from the media. So many areas of progress for the nugget of the T-Wolves…
” I am impatient. As soon as we talk about progress, I get excited. I didn’t even want to talk about basketball at first but now that we’re talking about being able to progress, it makes me smile. I will still improve a lot. In bodybuilding, on my weight and changing a lot of things to come back stronger. »
The highlights of his first playoffs
| Anthony Edwards | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 72 | 32 | 41.7 | 32.9 | 77.6 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 19.3 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 72 | 34 | 44.1 | 35.7 | 78.6 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 21.3 |
| Total | 144 | 33 | 42.9 | 34.4 | 78.1 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 20.3 | |
