The Minnesota Timberwolves have made back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, but the year-to-year improvement of Anthony Edwards could mean that a championship is finally on the horizon. Edwards is established as one of the very best players in the NBA, and he somehow looked even better than before in Minnesota's first game of the season.
The Timberwolves lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker to free agency, but the rest of the core remains intact. The team is seemingly only getting better, too, and considering they've been arguably the most consistent team out West recently, this may be the year the Timberwolves finally take that next step and win it all.
Anthony Edwards is again showing signs of improvement
Edwards averaged 19.3 points per game as a rookie. He quickly showcased why he was the No. 1 pick with his elite athletic abilities and extreme confidence. Edwards has improved every season of his career since then, both statistically and when it comes to the eye test.
In the seasons since year one, Edwards has averaged 21.3, 24.6, 25.9, and 27.6 points per game. He dropped 41 in the Timberwolves opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. Edwards is the rare superstar who plays on both sides of the basketball. He can hit a tough shot on one end and go lock up the opposing team's best player on the other end, and that is why he looks like a future MVP.
Last year, Edwards' most notable improvement came as a 3-point shooter. He increased his volume to the likes of 10.3 long balls per game, and he knocked them down at a career-high 39.5% clip. It led to Ant Man leading the entirety of the league in 3-point makes. Now, it seems as if Edwards has made offseason strides as a ball-handler and when it comes to court awareness. He is also seeking out his mid-range shot more.
Edwards was weaving all over the place to get to his spots in the first game of the season, making it impossible for the Trail Blazers to slow him down. Edwards also got to the line eight times, as he has seemingly upgraded his ability to create contact. These improvements led to a monster game scoring the ball, but they could lead to a much-needed boost in the playmaking department, too.
Edwards only had one assist against the Trail Blazers, but Minnesota needs somebody to step up as a playmaker, and that may end up being Edwards, even though he already does so much for the Timberwolves. Mike Conley saw limited court time, and Rob Dillingham didn't play at all. There is a clear void at point guard, and although Edwards will always be a score-first player, he seems to have the skill set to get his teammates involved when need be.
When it comes to the scoring, Edwards looked unstoppable in the mid-range. He elevates too high for opponents to be able to contest his shots, and he has a variety of step-back and dribble moves that he can use to get jumpers off. Edwards will look to be in the upper echelon of the league at all three scoring levels this season.
The Western Conference is stacked, so breaking out and finally reaching the NBA Finals won't be easy. Nobody else in the conference has proven that they can make deep playoff runs over both of the last two seasons, though. Edwards seems destined to have an MVP-caliber season, and he could lift the Timberwolves to hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time ever. He is somehow just 24 years old, so the sky is truly the limit.