Anthony Edwards has now established himself as one of the best players in the NBA and his former teammate D’Angelo Russell thinks there is just one area of his game that needs some improvement. Russell appeared on the Run Your Race podcast recently where he claimed he always knew Edwards would turn out to be this good.
“Hell yeah! He’s dope, bro. Everything about him, I’m a fan,” Russell said. “He puts the work in one, and then two, you can just tell he humbly believes in himself. You don’t see a lot of guys that walk that fine line of arrogance and humble and he does it so well and he can compete on every side of the ball. I think he can learn how to pass a little better, but I think he’s flawless, to be honest. He’s a flawless NBA player.”
Co-host AJ Richardson pointed out that Edwards is just 22 years old and Russell hilariously stated he is trying to get his money and get out of the league before his former teammate hits his prime.
“I mean, that’s why I’m trying to just get my little money and get the f*** out this way,” Russell stated.
D’Angelo Russell on Anthony Edwards:
“He could learn how to pass a little better but I think he’s flawless to be honest. He’s a flawless NBA player.”
(via @TidalLeague / Run Your Race) pic.twitter.com/0q6V7S06GG
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 31, 2024
Russell was a teammate of Edwards from 2020 to 2023 and I think was on point when he mentioned passing as the area where there is room for improvement. The Minnesota Timberwolves star’s deficiencies in that aspect are why he has had some troubles when facing double teams but that’s pretty much it when you’re talking about the negatives.
Edwards averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Timberwolves in 2023-24. His efforts were rewarded with his second All-Star game selection and he also made the All-NBA Second Team for the first time in his career.
While all that was really impressive, Edwards managed to take his game to another level in the postseason. He put up 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, and led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals.
In just four seasons, Edwards has lifted a franchise that was mired in mediocrity to near the top of the pile in the NBA. As long as he is around and playing at a high level, the Timberwolves will remain one of the top contenders in the West.
D’Angelo Russell Had High Praise For Victor Wembanyama Too
While Russell spoke glowingly of Edwards on this podcast, he had even higher praise for Victor Wembanyama. The Los Angeles Lakers guard felt Wembanyama should have won a lot of awards last season.
“He should’ve been Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player [of the Year], Most Improved, All-NBA … MVP,” Russell said.
D’Angelo Russell on Victor Wembanyama:
“He should’ve been Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved, All-NBA… MVP.”
(via @TidalLeague / Run Your Race) pic.twitter.com/R9fPwJuMVX
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 30, 2024
Well, you can’t win Most Improved Player as a rookie, so Russell certainly got carried away a bit there. Wembanyama’s first season in the NBA was undoubtedly a special one, though. He averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game to win ROY and finish runner-up for DPOY.
It just seems like a matter of time before Wembanyama wins all the awards and becomes a fixture on the All-NBA teams. He has lived up to all the pre-draft hype and if he stays healthy, I don’t see how he won’t go down as one of the greatest ever.
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