In a chat with the media after Team USA’s debut win this week, Anthony Edwards doubled down on the claim that he was the first option for Team USA this summer.
Kyle Neubeck: “Did you think you were the No. 1 option out there?” Edwards: “What you think?”
“Did you think you were the No. 1 option out there?”
“What you think?” pic.twitter.com/1LkbsIjXv9
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) July 11, 2024
There’s always been somewhat of a power struggle for Team USA over the years. When the best of the best meet up and join forces, it can be difficult to decide who gets to lead among them. In the days of Kobe Bryant, things got downright awkward when he had to be confronted over shot selection despite being the Team Captain.
This year, we have many older and established veterans fighting for their spot against a younger generation of stars. Edwards is obviously one of the new kids on the block but his fearless play speaks volumes on the court and he may just step up to become the alpha.
Edwards, 22, is notoriously confident in his abilities on the court. Despite just four years of experience in the NBA, he has quickly become one of its shining stars with averages of 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 46.1% shooting last season.
After taking the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals, Edwards proved that he could win at the highest levels and now he’s being counted among the best young players in the game.
Edwards was one of the earliest inclusions for the Team USA roster in 2024 and he’s taken a main role from the start, famously telling the media that he would be the first option for the team, despite the presence of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.
Of course, Edwards actually backed it up in the first game. He led the team in scoring with 13 in the exhibition against Canada on Wednesday and once again proved why he’s a level above other youngsters in the field.
Of course, with the real action still yet to be played, it remains to be seen if Edwards can sustain this play through the entire tournament but it’s nothing he hasn’t been doing on the Timberwolves for years now.
This year, after a run to the West Finals, there’s real hope and confidence that the Timberwolves can take another step and finally make the Finals for a chance at the title. With Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and others, they have as good a chance as any team to make it through three rounds.
Until then, the 2x All-Star will put his energy toward Team USA and try to help them bring home the gold. Like Kobe, Jordan, and other stars before them, Edwards has taken it upon himself to seize leadership from the jump and he wants to let everyone know that he’s not scared to share the court with proven legends and champions.
In the eyes of Edwards, he’s on their level now and he’s ready to prove it next season by leading the Timberwolves to a championship and breaking out into an MVP-level player.
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