Reusse: Anthony Edwards' maturation process should include more drives, fewer threes
Edwards proved his immaturity — and that's the kindest thing to say about it — with that gay-ridiculing video he decided to share with his social media followers.
And there's ongoing immaturity on the court, often in winning time. Edwards should be using those seconds where he's holding the ball to do what he does best … getting to the basket.
He has remarkable body control on his drives. He doesn't run over defenders in those tightest of quarters; instead, he makes use of an outstanding left hand.
Edwards would rather fire the three, though, which has a greater chance to keep opponents alive in the final minutes than it does to make him the game-clinching hero.
One thing about the Ant: He's always aware of how many points he's sitting on. He missed the second of two free throws with seven seconds left Friday, giving him 29 points, not 30.
Who cares? Well, Anthony did, by the angst-caused smile on his face.
I was talking Wolves with Terry Kunze, a basketball professor if there's ever been one, last spring and he offered this aside that precisely mimicked my view of Anthony:
"Every time Edwards takes a jump shot, I think he's going to miss."
He's actually OK on threes, 35%, but with games still waiting to be won, and him holding the ball on the wing, with that gleam in his eye … aargh!
Edwards is too much of a product of the modern NBA. It's ridiculous that he's taking 44% of his shots from three-point range.
Too bad it isn't still nightly combat, with the three as just a small respite from hard fouls and bad boys, because the Ant with what he does best would've been great at that game.
The young Timberwolves star is a product of the modern NBA, and that means he's not taking enough advantage of his ability to get to the basket.
www.startribune.com
Howl Wolves!!