Ant-Man. Captain America. Thor, God of Thunder. The Incredible Hulk. Whatever Marvel Superhero you use to describe Minnesota Timberwolves star shooting guard Anthony Edwards’s heroics on Team USA is probably underselling his impact.
22-year-old NBA All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards has never had a shortage of confidence. From the moment that he was the first overall player selected in the 2020 NBA Draft, he has had comfort and calm in any game time situation, in every interview, in any post-game presser or wrap-up, that exuded confidence.
But he has never had the type of spotlight so far in his NBA career that truly captured his full arsenal of offense, defense, and basketball strategy. Until now, that is:
34 POINTS 😱
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) August 20, 2023
THIS KID IS SPECIAL. pic.twitter.com/umi8DaTwAC
You could see the transformation from Timberwolves team player to team leader before your very eyes during the 2022-23 NBA season. With veteran power forward Karl-Anthony Towns injured, and point guard D’Angelo Russell dissatisfied with his role on the team, Anthony Edwards was thrust into a leadership role.
Like learning to swim by being tossed into the deep end of a pool, Edwards had only two choices. He could allow the added weight and responsibilities forced upon him to drag him down and take the Minnesota Timberwolves down with him. Or, he could learn to handle the ever-larger role and lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to the promised land.
Anthony Edwards chose option number two.