Minnesota Timberwolves: A quest to improve Anthony Edwards’ shot profile

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards is the current favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. He’s scoring more than ever, and the Wolves are generally playing better than they have for much of the season.

But Edwards’ gaudy scoring totals have come with a price: horrible inefficiency, largely tied to poor shot selection.

Minnesota Timberwolves: A quest to improve Anthony Edwards’ shot profile

Before we go any further, let’s be clear: this piece isn’t about to suggest that “Edwards is a bust”, or “Edwards is the reason the Wolves are the league’s worst team”, or any of the inevitable blowback that will undoubtedly still come from this article.

Instead, it’s important that we take a thoughtful look at Edwards’ shot profile. As of this writing, we’re still only 52 games into Edwards’ rookie season, so there will certainly be change over the final 20 contests.

In fact, his shot profile has changed drastically in the past few weeks, beginning roughly when Chris Finch took over as head coach.

Just over a week ago, I broke down Edwards’ lack of impact as a playmaker and noted that teams are basically daring him to shoot pull-up 3-pointers, with a second choice of loading up on his drives and trying to make him score through traffic. Opposing defenses know he isn’t likely to pass the ball once he’s headed downhill, and especially once he’s in the paint, so they’ll take their chances by sending waves of defenders.

It’s not hard to argue that Edwards has been inefficient; he’s shooting 39.7 percent from the field, 31.4 percent on 3-point attempts, and has a free throw rate of just .195 — 10th-best on the Wolves roster.

But it goes beyond simply shot-making. It’s more about shot taking.