Among the many worthy players who missed out on an All-Star nod, Anthony Edwards may feel the most disrespected.
The 20-year-old guard, who is averaging 22.3 points per game, is having an amazing season with the Timberwolves and has become a core part of their future.
So when the 2022 All-Star rosters were announced earlier this week, and Ant’s name was not listed, there was a sense that the youngster got slighted. Of course, Edwards himself admits he wasn’t all that surprised by the news.
“It’s the same as the Rookie of the Year, man. I don’t never expect to be selected, because it never happens. I was surprised I was selected for the Rising Stars game, if I’m being honest.”
Anthony Edwards when asked if not making the All Star team is a motivator:
"It's the same as the Rookie of the Year, man. I don't never expect to be selected, because it never happens. I was surprised I was selected for the Rising Stars game, if I'm being honest."
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) February 5, 2022
Edwards has pretty high ambitions for his career. Besides being an All-Star one day, the guy is aiming to become the face of the league itself with ‘a couple MVPs and a ring.’
Unlike a lot of peers, Edwards is someone who might actually be able to back up his words. He has certainly impressed a lot of competitors already.
“Anthony Edwards, that goes without question,” said Draymond Green. “Come on. The guy can get you 40 as we know, he’s done that multiple times. The guy can put anybody in the rim as we know. Part of the reason you don’t see Anthony Edwards dunk on more people is because people move when they see him bout to take off, at this point you don’t want to be on the wrong end of that… I think he has star potential.”
With less than two full seasons under his belt, it’s impossible to say with any certainty how good Edwards will become. But with impressive play through two seasons, and full confidence in his own abilities, he has already found the formula for success.
The hope is that, with Antt and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves will finally break their cycle of mediocrity and establish themselves as a real threat in the West.
For now, they still have a lot left to prove.
