The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the top overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Whenever you spend that sort of pick on a prospect, the expectation is that he will be a superstar.
Edwards delivered in 2021-22. Not only did he average career-highs across the board in his sophomore campaign, but he also led his squad to the NBA playoffs.
The one knock on Edwards when he came into the league originally was his attitude. In fact, his extracurricular activities arguably got more attention than his actual basketball skills.
Interestingly enough, it appears as though Edwards’ attitude at one point rubbed Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr the wrong way.
This week, Andre Iguodala told the story on the Point Forward podcast with Evan Turner.
“I knew the story about his workout with the Warriors,” said Iguodala. “I knew that story and I appreciated him even more telling it. It was worse than he even said it was.
“They told me. We pulled this kid to the side and said, ‘If you want to be successful in this league, you’ve got to take this thing serious. Don’t go out here embarrassing the league like this.’”
That’s just Kerr for you, though.
“That’s why I love Steve,” Iguodala added. “Steve understands his strengths really well and he’s not afraid to speak truth like that, even if it was constructive criticism. The kid was kind of like coasting. He was like he was tired. He wasn’t even doing nothing to get tired.”
It all ended up going pretty well for the Wolves. They are now working on a blockbuster trade, but once that is complete, their roster heading into 2022-23 should be particularly strong.
No wonder Dak Prescott is so motivated these days. https://t.co/83VQPw7UGz
— Game 7 (@game7__) July 4, 2022
Can Edwards lead Minnesota into the first round of the playoffs and beyond come next year?
Time will tell.
Related: Stephen Curry’s Feelings On Warriors Trading For Kevin Durant
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
