3 reasons why Minnesota Timberwolves would outperform Team USA

Team USA led by Timberwolves Anthony Edwards

There have been plenty of stories about the star power of Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards throughout the 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament. So far, Edwards has been living up to the hype and may even be exceeding even the current lofty expectations.

Edwards may be shining brightly on the international circuit, but his star rose in the north. From the moment that he was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Anthony Edwards has never suffered a shortage of confidence. Rather, he arrived on the Timberwolves roster and immediately went to work at scoring points and defending opposing players.

In just three seasons, he has improved his average points per game by 5.3 points per game, his rebounding by 1.13 rebounds per game, and his assists by 1.5 assists per game. That did not just occur in a vacuum.  Edwards has been able to make dramatic improvements in his game because he has refined his raw skills, and adapted his game to better fit the needs of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Even while he has remained one of the bright spots on the mixed results from Team USA, Edwards has been forced to assert himself in those areas where his Team USA teammates seem to struggle. When his teammates cannot score, he puts up 30+ points. When his teammates find themselves in a shootout, Edwards gears down to bolster the defense.

All of those things have already been addressed by the Minnesota Timberwolves. That is why I believe that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be a stronger competitor in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Tournament.  It’s not that the Timberwolves necessarily have better players. But assembled together, the Minnesota Timberwolves are simply a better team.