5 reasons why Minnesota Timberwolves boasts NBA Top 5 backcourt

II: Anthony Edwards will take a huge step this season

The pattern for NBA players to step up with the most significant progress of their careers has typically been in their third NBA season. This year, Timberwolves star shooting guard Anthony Edwards is entering year number three. Will that mean big things for the young guard?

Well, let’s just say that he is very aware of the trend for players in their third season

Of the two backcourt starters, Anthony Edwards is positioned for a huge season. How big? Well, if all things fall into place, he could surpass an average of 25.0 points per game on this roster. That would be a huge step to getting this team better than 50 wins this season.

Defense too?

Edwards is working to synchronize his shots with what head coach Chris Finch has asked him to work on. Right now, Finch wants him to focus on shooting from the perimeter and driving to the basket for layups. Edwards has historically loved shooting those mid-range shots, so right now Edwards’s offense is a bit of a work in progress. Will that slow down his progress? Truthfully, it may accelerate it as Edwards hitting from three-point range will make him a scorer who is impossible to stop.

But Edwards has also focused on himself in the offseason, getting stronger, healthier, and hopefully even more dangerous this season as well. If that wasn’t enough to keep our heads spinning, he is also demanding recognition for his defense as well.

That’s a pretty full plate for anyone, let alone a young man entering his third NBA season. But Edwards is that special, and even if it takes some time to work through some of the new improvements to his game this season, I believe he truly can pull it all off. If he does, that will all but ensure that he and D’Angelo Russell are among the Top-5 NBA backcourts this season.