Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves are in a downward spiral. The Timberwolves lost their fourth straight game last night to the Kings 115-104. Anthony Edwards spoke after the game about his frustration right now and strangely chose to take aim at the Timberwolves fanbase for booing and jeering the players at home during this rough stretch.
“It’s obvious. The team can see it, I can see it, the coach can see it. The fans f**king booing us. That sh*t is crazy, man. We’re getting booed in our home arena. That’s so f**king disrespectful; it’s crazy.”
Edwards had a decent game, despite his inefficiency from the field, putting up 29 points (9-24 FG), five rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while shooting 44.4% from the free-throw line. But it wasn’t enough to help the Timberwolves snap their losing streak.
Edwards spoke about a host of different topics during the game, including a long-winded rant in which he called the entire team soft, and accused the players of playing like frontrunners this season. Clearly, the frustration has started to set in among players.
But this is the time that Edwards will have to show what kind of a leader he is. Edwards is by far the best player on the Timberwolves and will be expected to help the team break their poor run of form. In these trying times, teams turn to their leaders, and the Timberwolves will have to do just that to improve.
The Timberwolves have a decent roster, and have the capability to play well every night. The Julius Randle trade has clearly affected team chemistry, but even with that leniency, the roster has not clicked together with the former Knicks star fast enough, especially when compared to how well the Knicks have gelled with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Can Edwards Save Timberwolves Season?
Of course, it is still very early in the season. But the Timberwolves must turn things around quickly. They currently hold an 8-10 record and are the 12th seed in the Western Conference. This is a far cry from the previous season when they were the third seed in a stacked Western Conference.
This season, Edwards is averaging 28.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field, 42.7% from the three-point line, and 81.4% from the stripe. While his numbers are solid, the team’s results have been anything but that.
If things are to improve, Anthony Edwards needs to be at the forefront of that change. The former All-Star must take the team on his shoulders and carry them going forward like any player of his caliber would be expected to do. Edwards is talented enough to do it, but will it be enough for the Timberwolves to come back?
The NBA, now more than ever before, has shown that a one-man team cannot find long-term success. They might win the odd game here and there, but a team with just one great and consistent player isn’t enough to make a deep playoff run anymore.
Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels all must step up, and rally behind Edwards to find their groove again. The Timberwolves play next at home against the Clippers on Friday night at 7:30 PM EST, in what is their final NBA Cup game.
They are mathematically eliminated from qualifying for the next round, having lost all three of their previous cup games. But they can use the game to build some momentum with an important win, especially considering their mediocre 8-10 record so far this season.
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