After the Minnesota Timberwolves' disappointing series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference finals, many were starting to question whether Anthony Edwards could really be one of the premier players and winners in the NBA.
Edwards had his worst career playoff series against OKC, averaging 23 points - a 4.6 drop off from his regular season average, as well as shooting an abysmal 28.2% from three. The suffocating defense of the Thunder overwhelmed Edwards, forcing him into tough shots and costly turnovers.
The consecutive conference finals losses in embarrassing fashion has led many to asking whether Edwards could ever catch up to the likes of Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Edwards' mindset this offseason has been clear
"I'm going to work my butt off this summer, nobody is going to work harder than me this summer, I'll tell you that much." These were the words Edwards left us with in his exit interview after a disappointing Game 5 loss against the Thunder.
This offseason would mark Edwards' first opportunity to really focus solely on developing his game. Whether it was playing internationally with Team USA or off-season drama, Edwards was able to put aside all distractions and stay focused.
As multiple reports begin to pour in, detailing the quietly productive summer for Edwards, it is clear that Anthony Edwards is ready to take the next step in his game. Initial reports came out from The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski, describing how Edwards has been "locked in" and believing that he has another step to take to reach the level of Luka and Shai.
While these reports may seem obvious, considering the losses suffered to these peers, it is encouraging to hear the acknowledgement from Edwards, who has been known for his brash speaking about his own game.
The initial reports about Edwards' mindset and approach entering the season have been further fortified with reports coming from ESPN's Shams Charania that Edwards has emphasized improving his midrange-post game, watching extensive film on Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
The reported development in this aspect of his game can prove major dividends for Edwards and the Timberwolves, creating go-to shots and conserving energy for Ant. If Edwards can emulate the success of the mid-post, like his predecessors, Bryant and Jordan, Edwards can break into serious MVP contention and prove vital in the Timberwolves' hope to break through and finally reach the finals.
What does an ascension realistically look like for Edwards?
Edwards has consistently shown improvement in his game each season, most recently becoming a lethal three-point shooter and averaging a career-high 27.6 points per game. Edwards' history of improvement and development shows promising signs for Edwards in his sixth year.
With this understanding, it is also important to temper expectations for Edwards continued development. Edwards scoring should relatively stay the same or increase by a few points, but looking at how Edwards is getting his points and the efficiency in which he is scoring will be what to look for.
While Edwards three-point ascension was historic, every other aspect of his scoring took a hit. His finishing at the rim and midrange took a major hit. Edwards shot just 58.5% in the paint area, a three percent decrease from his previous season. In order for Edwards to hit the next step as a scorer, he has to be able to make his shot attempts at the rim, with layups and floaters being areas of growth.
Why this season can prove to be an indicator for the future projection of Anthony Edwards
In just his age-24 season, Anthony Edwards is entering the veteran stages of his career, as this will be his sixth season in the NBA. After pre-draft questions rose about Edwards' commitment to becoming a great NBA player, Edwards has silenced those same critics year after year with his continuous improvement.
While Edwards has been touted as one of the young stars of the NBA since his rookie year, Edwards solidified his place as a potential face of the league in the 2024 postseason, reaching the Western Conference Finals while averaging 27.6 points per game. Edwards' postseason play took a slight dip this past season, averaging 25.3 points per game.
Edwards has the opportunity and seems to be preparing to turn projection and potential into reality. The Timberwolves will face a competitive, talent-rich Western Conference, with teams like the Rockets and Nuggets making significant additions, as well as the powerhouse that is the Thunder.
While Edwards and the Timberwolves face an uphill battle toward representing the Western Conference in the finals, Anthony Edwards is the type of player who gives fans hope that accomplishing this is possible.