Anthony Edwards is one of the five featured NBA stars on Netflix’s new show ‘Starting 5,’ with the show covering his first Conference Finals run, which ended with a 4-1 series loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Edwards called out Kyrie Irving before the series started, a decision he came to regret. Edwards can be seen on the show openly wishing to take his comments against Kyrie back after Game 1 of the series.
“Jaden (McDaniels) you got Kyrie, I’m tired, man… I should’ve left Kyrie alone going and saying that right after being dog tired fighting back from a Game 7, I wish I could go and take that back”
Edwards wasn’t even disrespectful when he called out Kyrie prior to the Western Conference Finals, with the rising star just expressing how excited he was to guard Irving in the series.
“It’s gonna be fun, man. My matchup is going to be Kyrie, so that’s gonna be fun. We’re gonna see what I can do versus him.”
A lot was made of this comment given how Edwards had called out various stars throughout that season and usually lived up to whatever he claimed he’d do.
The Wolves were fresh off sweeping the Kevin Durant and Devin Booker-led Phoenix Suns and eliminating the reigning champions after overcoming a 2-3 series deficit as the road team.
Kyrie opened the series against the Timberwolves in the Playoffs with a 30-point outing with zero made threes, relentlessly attacking Edwards in the mid-range and paint.
He used his quick feet and handles to make sure Edwards couldn’t keep up with him on the perimeter, prompting the team to switch Ant on Luka Doncic while Jaden McDaniels took the Kyrie assignment. Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in the five-game series loss.
Kyrie Irving Took Edwards’ Comments As A Sign Of Respect
Irving averaged 27.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over the series, dominating all defensive matchups who were tasked with trying to stop him. Irving said after that performance that Edwards gave him more motivation and he took his comments as a sign of respect.
“I use it as motivation. When I was sitting at home and I saw it, (I thought) ‘this is a nod of respect’. And also, I knew what type of game it was going to be… Ant comes out and says ‘I got Kyrie’ but also that’s a no-fear mentality and that’s why we love Ant. So coming out tonight, I knew that he was going to pressure me a little bit.”
The Timberwolves were making their first deep Playoff run in 20 years, so there was fatigue on the players that they just couldn’t overcome against the fast-paced Mavericks.
It was also unfortunate that the struggling and injured Doncic had one of the greatest series of his career against them, averaging 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over the five games.
The Timberwolves and Mavericks should be prepared to matchup in the Playoffs again given their status as two of the West’s best teams. They have marquee additions to their roster as well, with the Wolves adding Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and rookie Robert Dillingham, while the Mavericks have added Klay Thompson, Quentin Grimes, and Naji Marshall.
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