Anthony Edwards still has a lot to work on if he wants to maximize his potential in the NBA, but confidence is not something he lacks.
Appearing on “NBA Today” after Game 1, the Timberwolves youngster stood before a panel of media members, where he proudly proclaimed himself the bests defender in basketball.
“I feel like I’m a great defender. I actually feel like I’m the best defender in the NBA if you ask me. I feel like I can guard anybody. Shooting guards, small forwards, point guards, I feel like I can guard anyone.”
Edwards is obviously not at the level of some of the most elite defenders, but he has shown flashes of what he can be on that end. Offensively, Edwards is at his best. In 72 games this season, he averaged 21.3 points and 3.8 assists on 44% shooting.
But his confidence extends beyond just his personal performance. He also has a lot of faith in his team and what they are capable of in the Western Conference playoffs.
“I’m super confident in my team. I think we’re the team in the West that don’t nobody want to see,” said Edwards in February. “I think we got that quiet team, super talented. You don’t know what you’re gonna get on any given night. Like I might come out score 50. Or D-Lo might go score 50, or KAT might score 50. Then if KAT score 50, I score 30, D-Lo score 20, that’s a crazy game. You don’t know what you’re gonna get any given night, so that’s why we’re scary.”
For a franchise that has been mired in mediocrity for decades, the Wolves weren’t on anyone’s map to start the season. But with stellar play from Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and (of course) Anthony Edwards, they have become a real force in the West.
And after their resounding Game 1 victory over Memphis on Saturday, the Wolves proved to the world that this season was no fluke. They are ready to compete with the best.
