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SI.comAnthony Edwards Ignites No. 1 Pick Conversation at Maui Invitational
Georgia freshman Anthony Edwards made his case to be the top pick in the 2020 NBA draft after erupting for 37 points against Michigan State in the Maui Invitational
You may have already heard that top draft prospect Anthony Edwards arrived on Tuesday in Maui, or rather, he detonated, to the tune of 33 second-half points, albeit in Georgia’s second loss in two days. He brought the Bulldogs back from down 21 points at half against Michigan State with a transcendent stretch of pull-up threes, highlight passes and out-of-nowhere defensive gambits that almost made Bill Walton combust on-air. These are all things that, to varying degrees, bolster his candidacy as the potential No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft, which is where we projected him on our first mock draft of the season. If nothing else, it’s the first significant piece of his résumé, and it’s a big one.
Few college players can legitimately qualify as unguardable; Edwards was that. And three weeks into the season, we now have a much better grasp of his strengths. He’s actually more like 6’3” than his listed height of 6’5”, but in one as as that hardly matters. with the way he can create separation off the dribble and get to his streaky yet potent jumper. Multiple scouts I spoke with expressed concerns over his tendency to settle for deep threes, but when they’re going in it’s hard to argue with Edwards’ decision-making process. Tuesday brought the hottest of heat checks, and an NBA caliber display of sustained shooting off a variety of gathers. There was one mid range jumper from the left baseline where he contorted nearly full-180—in midair—with his back to the rim and squared up successfully. Not many people on the planet can hit that particular shot. His ability to create on the perimeter, use his individual threat to playmake for others, and cover tons of ground on the defensive end add up into potential stardom. Sure, there wasn’t a whole ton of pressure to perform down 20, but he single-handedly did bring his team back into the game. The upside is rather obvious.
Thankfully, we have a full season to assess his progress against tough SEC competition. For context, Edwards is not a Zion Williamson or a Ja Morant, but had he been in the 2019 draft, off potential alone, Edwards might have been the third guy off the board. Teams are still figuring him out, but nobody walked away unimpressed.
The Athletic -- August 2020Chris Kirchner wrote:Hawks NBA Draft Board
...after a few conversations with some sources and draft experts and through my own analysis of what the Hawks need to add to their roster, this is the first edition of the team’s big board.
1. Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
Of the top prospects in this draft, there’s not a smoother positional fit for the Hawks. Edwards’ explosiveness, athleticism, size and scoring ability are what the Hawks should be looking for as a long-term option at the two-guard spot.
At 6-foot-5 with a 6-9 wingspan and 225 pounds, he could grow into what the Hawks need defensively at the two-guard position next to Trae Young. The problem is getting him to buy all the way in on that end of the floor. There are several skeptics who worry about Edwards’ effort and willingness to fully commit to giving his best effort defensively. From what I’ve been told, his work ethic is definitely a big question mark for many people in the league, including some in Atlanta’s organization.
If he’s willing to accept not being the main option for the Hawks and is motivated by playing a secondary role next to Young, he’s the perfect choice for Atlanta at the top of the draft.
Radioblacktive1 wrote:Aren’t work ethic issues like the biggest red flag?
