A reminder of just how special Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards truly is

The willingness to play aggressive basketball

Driving to the basket is not for the faint of heart in the NBA. It’s not just having confidence, but rather an indomitable will and competitive spirit that burns like a bonfire when a basketball seems to be slipping away. It’s that fearlessness, that rising of spirit to match the persona of the opponent, that is critical. And only a few and the best in the NBA truly have it.

But an aggressive style means more than offensive drives. It also means stepping up and stopping the best of the guy you must face. And so far this season, Anthony Edwards has been stepping up and stopping some of the best in the NBA.

Star defender too

It’s not something that has been a result of an edict by Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. Rather, it was a self-determined role that Edwards accepted and embraced. It was an objective that he publicly proclaimed, to step up and be an outstanding NBA defender, that has set Edwards on the course to greatness. And so far this season, he has shown a natural ability to defend in the NBA.

Of course, there will be some players who rotate out to other defenders, and with defensive assignments keying on the best matchup for Edwards, he will not always compete against the player who devastates the Timberwolves on any given night. But Edwards continues to compete and frustrate opposing players. So how does he help the rest of the team? By elevating their play as well.