The NBA has a ratings problem and many critics believe it’s connected to the rise in perimeter shooting. But if you ask Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, the new NBA playstyle is just a normal part of the game’s evolution.
“What they want us to do? It’s four people in the paint. If they leaving us open for the three ball, I think that’s just taking what the game gives you,” said Edwards in a chat with Complex. “You got Wemby. You got these boys. They tall. They big. They blocking shots, man. We not forcing our way to the paint every time. So, everybody can think what they want to think, but I just feel like the game changes. Guys want to shoot threes and guys are good at it. The viewership is down. I don’t know what they got to do, lower the rim or something?”
Edwards, 23, is part of the NBA’s newest generation of superstars. Drafted 1st in the 2020 Draft, Edwards has become the face of the Timberwolves with career averages of 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 44.2% shooting.
While he’s still relatively new to the scene, Edwards has embraced what it means to be a young face of the NBA and he hasn’t been shy about speaking his mind on all sorts of issues. Recently, with so many fans talking about the league’s decline in viewership, the three-pointer has been put on blast as the source behind all of the league’s problems. But Edwards clearly feels differently.
It all began with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Steph along with Klay Thompson and later Kevin Durant formed a dynasty on the Warriors and showed the world how lethal the three-pointer can be when used to maximum efficiency.
Today, the three-pointer is everywhere and it has become a staple for every team’s offense. With attempts from three higher than ever, some fans have complained that it has created a lack of variety for NBA offenses while others have said that it trivializes the game.
Judging by the declining ratings, most fans would agree that the NBA product has dipped overall but three-pointers are only part of the equation. Between illegal streaming sites, load management, and modern-day officiating, there are many things to consider for why the NBA is losing popularity.
For Edwards and other NBA players, the current state of the game is where it has naturally evolved after over 75 years. While shooting is more prevalent, the players are more skilled than ever, as we see with bigs like Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Regarding the NBA’s stance, they have already announced intentions to investigate the matter but it’s unlikely they will try to put a cap on three-pointers. It’s an essential component of the game and opens up so many possibilities on the court.
Some potential solutions could be moving the three-point line back or making changes to allow defenders to close out and harass shooters to an entirely new degree. Of course, those changes could lead to an even uglier product on the court.
For now, there’s nothing to be done about the NBA’s three-point problem but Edwards believes there’s no problem at all. This is the new NBA, and some are built for it better than others.
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