Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards follows Coach Finch strategy

If the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to be better this season, then the team will need more from young shooting guard Anthony Edwards. But let’s be very clear, the team has already gotten incredible production out of the guy. In fact, he is their second-leading scorer, only coming in behind power forward Karl-Anthony Towns.

And at his current rate of improvement, Anthony Edwards will flirt with being a team leader this season. But is it enough to score points by the basketful?  Not if you ask Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.

In Finch’s mind, it’s not how many points that he gets from Edwards, but where those points originate. What does it matter? It’s all about spacing, and the concept is what wins NBA Championships for the Golden State Warriors. Until now, Edwards has tended to drive to the midrange part of the court and take his shot. But that is prime real estate for the Timberwolves’ two bigs: Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony Towns.

Coach Finch’s plan for Ant-Man

So Coach Finch wants Edwards to either:

I  –   Shoot from the perimeter (space the floor)
II –   Drive to the basket for layups (and activate Gobert’s offensive rebounding)
III –  Shoot free throws (draw fouls, score points, and impact opponent rotations)

Seems simple, right? Well, it’s not so easy for Ant-Man to change his style on the basketball court so quickly:

And so, Minnesota Timberwolves fans must prepare for some streakish play from their shooting guard early in the season. How so? Well, Coach Finch’s plan is sound, and if and when Anthony Edwards fully embraces all three steps, the sooner the Timberwolves’ current starting five will be optimized.

But trying to get Edwards to stay at the perimeter or drive to the basket will take some patience on everyone’s part. But the rewards for both the player and the team will be worth it.