Timberwolves control their own destiny with Anthony Edwards
By Tim Garrison
What do the Timberwolves need to do?
The key point called against Minnesota by Patrick Beverley and The Athletic is the lack of national TV game exposure Minnesota is getting in the upcoming season. While it is a valid point, it is also flawed.
Historically, the more a team wins, the greater exposure they get on the national scale. Currently, the Memphis Grizzlies are the smallest market in the NBA. Yes, 30th out of 30 in the NBA and 52nd ranked overall. Yet they scored 19 nationally broadcast games in the upcoming season. The reigning champion Denver, scored 30 such games this upcoming season.
Simply put, if the Timberwolves win the national exposure will closely follow.
The Timberwolves currently hold something all 29 other teams envy, a 22-year-old budding alpha superstar with six years of team control. If that wasn’t clear, then these recent narratives dispel any doubt that every other fanbase in the NBA would love a piece of Anthony Edwards.
Give me something to believe in
Now, we must not take this situation for granted. While the narrative currently being pushed by national talking heads may be hogwash, if the Timberwolves fail to provide Edwards with a believable pathway to a title as he enters his prime, he will leave the organization. With that sobering reality out of the way, we can focus on the very bright present.
Emerging defensive stalwart and 22-year-old running mate Jaden McDaniels is just scratching the surface of his offensive abilities, long-time Timberwolves cornerstone Karl Anthony-Towns is back at full strength, with veteran center Rudy Gobert anchoring the defense leaving the Wolves with as much talent on the roster as they’ve had since 2004.
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Timberwolves are running back a playoff team and are doing it drama-free. It is time for the Timberwolves to grow up and show out.
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The future is wide open on 1st Ave. The Wolves have an interesting mix of youth and veteran talent. If Anthony Edwards takes a leap and becomes the player Patrick Beverley speaks of, then buckle up Wolves nation. After years of disappointment and misery, Edwards may just be the man to bring an organization and deserving fanbase to the promised land.
He can do it right here in Minneapolis.