Anthony Edwards Thread: Part Two (Read First Post)

[TimberKat]

Paid more attention to Ant this game, due to the recent talk about his decision making. He sees the open man every time, I love his decisions. Absolutely not worried about him being a ballhog. He does try to take over when the game is on the line (which wasnt the case now) but that's what he is supposed to be doing anyway. He's finding his limits now and experimenting with the pressure and various end-game situations. I'm sure by next year he will improve a lot in this aspect too, just like he does on everything else.

He was much better in this game and maybe his best passing game of the season. We got to give him credit for trying. The crazy spin pass to Gobert was a all pass move (not looking to shoot at all). If I have to pick on something, maybe make his move a couple more seconds earlier in the clock.

We want him to have the closer mentality, just learning to do it the right way. Trying to win the west while he continues to learn.

[Guest84]

Sounds like he’s questionable for the Clips game with a knee contusion

[Klomp]

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[Guest84]

Looking at Edwards, the higher TO rate is somewhat to be expected due to the increase in his on-ball duties. We've seen that they tend to come when he starts pressing and as opposed to letting the game come to him.

Over the past few weeks, he's placed more emphasis on driving to the rack and trying to get fouls. This in turn has lowered his mid-range attempts. While not being as efficient as we'd like, it was a weapon he was developing that defenses had to account for.

How many post-ups have we seen from him lately? That fadeaway and bank shot were becoming staples of his offense. I also believe the shift in how defenses are attacking him has sped him up a bit. Ant is our "homerun hitter" and tends to try and blast one out of the park as opposed to getting singles, doubles, and triples.

With him, repetition is key and he needs to understand when to make the simple play. I would love Ant to watch film on how D Wade used to attack offenses on and off the ball.

Ant has improved each year so I think it's safe to say that we can expect him to improve in this area too. He won't be perfect but I'd rather have a guy you have to reign in than try to turn up. Give him time, enjoy the journey.

[winforlose]

Looking at Edwards, the higher TO rate is somewhat to be expected due to the increase in his on-ball duties. We've seen that they tend to come when he starts pressing and as opposed to letting the game come to him.

Over the past few weeks, he's placed more emphasis on driving to the rack and trying to get fouls. This in turn has lowered his mid-range attempts. While not being as efficient as we'd like, it was a weapon he was developing that defenses had to account for.

How many post-ups have we seen from him lately? That fadeaway and bank shot were becoming staples of his offense. I also believe the shift in how defenses are attacking him has sped him up a bit. Ant is our "homerun hitter" and tends to try and blast one out of the park as opposed to getting singles, doubles, and triples.

With him, repetition is key and he needs to understand when to make the simple play. I would love Ant to watch film on how D Wade used to attack offenses on and off the ball.

Ant has improved each year so I think it's safe to say that we can expect him to improve in this area too. He won't be perfect but I'd rather have a guy you have to reign in than try to turn up. Give him time, enjoy the journey.

I will speak for myself, but I suspect I am not alone in this sentiment. Giving Ant time is not as easy as it sounds when Rudy and Mike are getting older and the Wolves are the #1 seed in the West losing games they should be winning. This season’s team is good enough to win it all, but not with Ant’s growing pains continually costing games or at the very least threatening too. It’s not just the turnovers either, Ant kills the offensive flow and usually makes the team worse when he runs the point. Combine this with poor spacing do to lack of offensive structure and having multiple non shooters like Kyle and Rudy in those point Ant minutes, and everything gets harder. Ant is learning, but he isn’t necessarily learning the right approach.

[Guest84]

Looking at Edwards, the higher TO rate is somewhat to be expected due to the increase in his on-ball duties. We've seen that they tend to come when he starts pressing and as opposed to letting the game come to him.

Over the past few weeks, he's placed more emphasis on driving to the rack and trying to get fouls. This in turn has lowered his mid-range attempts. While not being as efficient as we'd like, it was a weapon he was developing that defenses had to account for.

How many post-ups have we seen from him lately? That fadeaway and bank shot were becoming staples of his offense. I also believe the shift in how defenses are attacking him has sped him up a bit. Ant is our "homerun hitter" and tends to try and blast one out of the park as opposed to getting singles, doubles, and triples.

With him, repetition is key and he needs to understand when to make the simple play. I would love Ant to watch film on how D Wade used to attack offenses on and off the ball.

Ant has improved each year so I think it's safe to say that we can expect him to improve in this area too. He won't be perfect but I'd rather have a guy you have to reign in than try to turn up. Give him time, enjoy the journey.

I will speak for myself, but I suspect I am not alone in this sentiment. Giving Ant time is not as easy as it sounds when Rudy and Mike are getting older and the Wolves are the #1 seed in the West losing games they should be winning. This season’s team is good enough to win it all, but not with Ant’s growing pains continually costing games or at the very least threatening too. It’s not just the turnovers either, Ant kills the offensive flow and usually makes the team worse when he runs the point. Combine this with poor spacing do to lack of offensive structure and having multiple non shooters like Kyle and Rudy in those point Ant minutes, and everything gets harder. Ant is learning, but he isn’t necessarily learning the right approach.

I don't disagree with your premise and share a lot of the same thoughts. I would ask then, how much of that is coaching vs on the player vs roster fit/construction? Coming into the season, I don't think anyone expected them to be first in the west at this point. However, that might've changed expectations a bit.

While Mike and Rudy might not be in the future plans, Ant is. It just so happens that they're going to have to experience the growing pains while here. But they should be able to help guide him through the process. Who are we to say that he won't be better come playoff time? There's still plenty of time to improve this season. I've been guilty of it myself, but I've seen a lot of knee-jerk reactions to wins/losses.

Personally, I just think Ant needs to slow down a bit and let the game come to him again. It's just part of a long NBA season.

Side note - The types of TO are absolutely frustrating and avoidable. However, I'm choosing to let it play out and reassess later in the season.

[winforlose]

Looking at Edwards, the higher TO rate is somewhat to be expected due to the increase in his on-ball duties. We've seen that they tend to come when he starts pressing and as opposed to letting the game come to him.

Over the past few weeks, he's placed more emphasis on driving to the rack and trying to get fouls. This in turn has lowered his mid-range attempts. While not being as efficient as we'd like, it was a weapon he was developing that defenses had to account for.

How many post-ups have we seen from him lately? That fadeaway and bank shot were becoming staples of his offense. I also believe the shift in how defenses are attacking him has sped him up a bit. Ant is our "homerun hitter" and tends to try and blast one out of the park as opposed to getting singles, doubles, and triples.

With him, repetition is key and he needs to understand when to make the simple play. I would love Ant to watch film on how D Wade used to attack offenses on and off the ball.

Ant has improved each year so I think it's safe to say that we can expect him to improve in this area too. He won't be perfect but I'd rather have a guy you have to reign in than try to turn up. Give him time, enjoy the journey.

I will speak for myself, but I suspect I am not alone in this sentiment. Giving Ant time is not as easy as it sounds when Rudy and Mike are getting older and the Wolves are the #1 seed in the West losing games they should be winning. This season’s team is good enough to win it all, but not with Ant’s growing pains continually costing games or at the very least threatening too. It’s not just the turnovers either, Ant kills the offensive flow and usually makes the team worse when he runs the point. Combine this with poor spacing do to lack of offensive structure and having multiple non shooters like Kyle and Rudy in those point Ant minutes, and everything gets harder. Ant is learning, but he isn’t necessarily learning the right approach.

I don't disagree with your premise and share a lot of the same thoughts. I would ask then, how much of that is coaching vs on the player vs roster fit/construction? Coming into the season, I don't think anyone expected them to be first in the west at this point. However, that might've changed expectations a bit.

While Mike and Rudy might not be in the future plans, Ant is. It just so happens that they're going to have to experience the growing pains while here. But they should be able to help guide him through the process. Who are we to say that he won't be better come playoff time? There's still plenty of time to improve this season. I've been guilty of it myself, but I've seen a lot of knee-jerk reactions to wins/losses.

Personally, I just think Ant needs to slow down a bit and let the game come to him again. It's just part of a long NBA season.

Side note - The types of TO are absolutely frustrating and avoidable. However, I'm choosing to let it play out and reassess later in the season.

1. Watch this video and respond letting me know you have seen it. It is good at conveying some of my thoughts in visuals. https://youtu.be/Z1FSSf1Dy0Y?si=MeWvXZouVXzD_aUw

2. Shaq hit the nail on the head when he said OKC plays with a system and the Wolves do not. If we did there would be more off ball movement, more screens, better spacing and better passing.

3. I would love it if Ant magically learned from his hero ball mistakes. But he keeps making them years later, so I am not sure he is gonna change in two months.

[BlacJacMac]

Looking at Edwards, the higher TO rate is somewhat to be expected due to the increase in his on-ball duties. We've seen that they tend to come when he starts pressing and as opposed to letting the game come to him.

Over the past few weeks, he's placed more emphasis on driving to the rack and trying to get fouls. This in turn has lowered his mid-range attempts. While not being as efficient as we'd like, it was a weapon he was developing that defenses had to account for.

How many post-ups have we seen from him lately? That fadeaway and bank shot were becoming staples of his offense. I also believe the shift in how defenses are attacking him has sped him up a bit. Ant is our "homerun hitter" and tends to try and blast one out of the park as opposed to getting singles, doubles, and triples.

With him, repetition is key and he needs to understand when to make the simple play. I would love Ant to watch film on how D Wade used to attack offenses on and off the ball.

Ant has improved each year so I think it's safe to say that we can expect him to improve in this area too. He won't be perfect but I'd rather have a guy you have to reign in than try to turn up. Give him time, enjoy the journey.

I will speak for myself, but I suspect I am not alone in this sentiment. Giving Ant time is not as easy as it sounds when Rudy and Mike are getting older and the Wolves are the #1 seed in the West losing games they should be winning. This season’s team is good enough to win it all, but not with Ant’s growing pains continually costing games or at the very least threatening too. It’s not just the turnovers either, Ant kills the offensive flow and usually makes the team worse when he runs the point. Combine this with poor spacing do to lack of offensive structure and having multiple non shooters like Kyle and Rudy in those point Ant minutes, and everything gets harder. Ant is learning, but he isn’t necessarily learning the right approach.

I don't disagree with your premise and share a lot of the same thoughts. I would ask then, how much of that is coaching vs on the player vs roster fit/construction? Coming into the season, I don't think anyone expected them to be first in the west at this point. However, that might've changed expectations a bit.

While Mike and Rudy might not be in the future plans, Ant is. It just so happens that they're going to have to experience the growing pains while here. But they should be able to help guide him through the process. Who are we to say that he won't be better come playoff time? There's still plenty of time to improve this season. I've been guilty of it myself, but I've seen a lot of knee-jerk reactions to wins/losses.

Personally, I just think Ant needs to slow down a bit and let the game come to him again. It's just part of a long NBA season.

Side note - The types of TO are absolutely frustrating and avoidable. However, I'm choosing to let it play out and reassess later in the season.

I agree with this.

I think Finch is doing some of what we saw last year - sacrificing some potential wins for in-season development. Look at last year where we actually got worse on defense because we scrapped a lot of what we were doing well mid-season because we knew it wasn't sustainable. And then we played differently against Denver in the Playoffs. We played more to our strengths and abandoned the things that we just couldn't get a handle on during the year.

Even look at the way Ant has played in the Playoffs vs the season. And not just the raw numbers:

2022-23 Season: 29.9 Usage, 19.3 AST%, 13.0 TO%. (24.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, 3.3 TO)
2022-23 Playoffs: 32.3 Usage, 26.4 AST%, 5.7 TO%. (31.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.6 TO)

And my guess is the guys like Rudy and Mike also see this and they're doing what they can to help Ant grow because they both know their best chance of winning a title will be on Ant's shoulders.

[Guest84]

I will speak for myself, but I suspect I am not alone in this sentiment. Giving Ant time is not as easy as it sounds when Rudy and Mike are getting older and the Wolves are the #1 seed in the West losing games they should be winning. This season’s team is good enough to win it all, but not with Ant’s growing pains continually costing games or at the very least threatening too. It’s not just the turnovers either, Ant kills the offensive flow and usually makes the team worse when he runs the point. Combine this with poor spacing do to lack of offensive structure and having multiple non shooters like Kyle and Rudy in those point Ant minutes, and everything gets harder. Ant is learning, but he isn’t necessarily learning the right approach.

I don't disagree with your premise and share a lot of the same thoughts. I would ask then, how much of that is coaching vs on the player vs roster fit/construction? Coming into the season, I don't think anyone expected them to be first in the west at this point. However, that might've changed expectations a bit.

While Mike and Rudy might not be in the future plans, Ant is. It just so happens that they're going to have to experience the growing pains while here. But they should be able to help guide him through the process. Who are we to say that he won't be better come playoff time? There's still plenty of time to improve this season. I've been guilty of it myself, but I've seen a lot of knee-jerk reactions to wins/losses.

Personally, I just think Ant needs to slow down a bit and let the game come to him again. It's just part of a long NBA season.

Side note - The types of TO are absolutely frustrating and avoidable. However, I'm choosing to let it play out and reassess later in the season.

1. Watch this video and respond letting me know you have seen it. It is good at conveying some of my thoughts in visuals. https://youtu.be/Z1FSSf1Dy0Y?si=MeWvXZouVXzD_aUw

2. Shaq hit the nail on the head when he said OKC plays with a system and the Wolves do not. If we did there would be more off ball movement, more screens, better spacing and better passing.

3. I would love it if Ant magically learned from his hero ball mistakes. But he keeps making them years later, so I am not sure he is gonna change in two months.

1. I've seen the video and agree with our spacing being poor. However, the plays shown in this video speak more to player IQ than anything to me. I've also mentioned this in prior posts. It makes no sense for guys to cut when another is trying to work in the post. This also speaks to coaching and running certain plays with certain personnel. Ex: Instead of Naz driving then kicking to NAW, he should've immediately swung it to KA and then to NAW. Our guys ALWAYS drive into traffic on the strong side.

2. Shaq had a point and I agree we need more structure BUT Finch is against this. Again, coaching issue. But to say that OKC or any team will simple wash the wolves in the playoffs isn't entirely accurate. Keep in mind, this same wolves team beat OKC last year in the play in.

3. Are we expecting a complete and total change by seasons end or are we ok with incremental improvements over the season? He currently avg 3.5 TO. What if he lowers it to 2.5-3 TO in the playoffs while staying around 5-6 apg? Is that ok? To me, the issue the "type" of TO that's happening.

Again, I don't disagree with you. Just trying to come from a different perspective is all.

[winforlose]

I don't disagree with your premise and share a lot of the same thoughts. I would ask then, how much of that is coaching vs on the player vs roster fit/construction? Coming into the season, I don't think anyone expected them to be first in the west at this point. However, that might've changed expectations a bit.

While Mike and Rudy might not be in the future plans, Ant is. It just so happens that they're going to have to experience the growing pains while here. But they should be able to help guide him through the process. Who are we to say that he won't be better come playoff time? There's still plenty of time to improve this season. I've been guilty of it myself, but I've seen a lot of knee-jerk reactions to wins/losses.

Personally, I just think Ant needs to slow down a bit and let the game come to him again. It's just part of a long NBA season.

Side note - The types of TO are absolutely frustrating and avoidable. However, I'm choosing to let it play out and reassess later in the season.

1. Watch this video and respond letting me know you have seen it. It is good at conveying some of my thoughts in visuals. https://youtu.be/Z1FSSf1Dy0Y?si=MeWvXZouVXzD_aUw

2. Shaq hit the nail on the head when he said OKC plays with a system and the Wolves do not. If we did there would be more off ball movement, more screens, better spacing and better passing.

3. I would love it if Ant magically learned from his hero ball mistakes. But he keeps making them years later, so I am not sure he is gonna change in two months.

1. I've seen the video and agree with our spacing being poor. However, the plays shown in this video speak more to player IQ than anything to me. I've also mentioned this in prior posts. It makes no sense for guys to cut when another is trying to work in the post. This also speaks to coaching and running certain plays with certain personnel. Ex: Instead of Naz driving then kicking to NAW, he should've immediately swung it to KA and then to NAW. Our guys ALWAYS drive into traffic on the strong side.

2. Shaq had a point and I agree we need more structure BUT Finch is against this. Again, coaching issue. But to say that OKC or any team will simple wash the wolves in the playoffs isn't entirely accurate. Keep in mind, this same wolves team beat OKC last year in the play in.

3. Are we expecting a complete and total change by seasons end or are we ok with incremental improvements over the season? He currently avg 3.5 TO. What if he lowers it to 2.5-3 TO in the playoffs while staying around 5-6 apg? Is that ok? To me, the issue the "type" of TO that's happening.

Again, I don't disagree with you. Just trying to come from a different perspective is all.

1. In a high paced high stress game the system teams run simplify things. Last year we tried to run two defenses and failed because guys couldn’t keep them straight. At some point Finch needs to realize that systems reduce player error. Guys always drive because they think they better off the drive and don’t always have a plan beyond see what happens. Running set plays and having guys set screens or make cuts create opportunities that open things up. The disjointed chaos approach leads to guys getting in each others way and that is what Finch needs to realize and fix.

2. It’s funny, that game was won if two terrible calls don’t happen. A block turned into a goal tend and a eurostep into a travel. Neither call was close but both resulted in points that swung the game. We are talented enough to beat OKC when they shoot poorly. We are talented enough to beat the Celtics without Mike and Rudy on the road on the back end of a road/road back to back. But talent gets you to the finish line, it doesn’t always win the race. Training, preparation, planning, and learning from prior mistakes do. I don’t think the lack of system is an automatic loss, it is just a weakness that helps tip the scales.

3.It’s not just turnovers. It’s lack of ball movement, lack of offensive flow, disengagement of the rest of the rest of the players on offense, live ball turnovers that lead to transition buckets, ect….It is hero ball end of games that let other teams know they can come back from 9 or 10 or 16 down at the end of the game, and encourages them to dig in instead of giving up. Ant isn’t any better end of game after 42 then he was after 25. This makes me wonder why he will be better after 59?

[Guest84]

1. Watch this video and respond letting me know you have seen it. It is good at conveying some of my thoughts in visuals. https://youtu.be/Z1FSSf1Dy0Y?si=MeWvXZouVXzD_aUw

2. Shaq hit the nail on the head when he said OKC plays with a system and the Wolves do not. If we did there would be more off ball movement, more screens, better spacing and better passing.

3. I would love it if Ant magically learned from his hero ball mistakes. But he keeps making them years later, so I am not sure he is gonna change in two months.

1. I've seen the video and agree with our spacing being poor. However, the plays shown in this video speak more to player IQ than anything to me. I've also mentioned this in prior posts. It makes no sense for guys to cut when another is trying to work in the post. This also speaks to coaching and running certain plays with certain personnel. Ex: Instead of Naz driving then kicking to NAW, he should've immediately swung it to KA and then to NAW. Our guys ALWAYS drive into traffic on the strong side.

2. Shaq had a point and I agree we need more structure BUT Finch is against this. Again, coaching issue. But to say that OKC or any team will simple wash the wolves in the playoffs isn't entirely accurate. Keep in mind, this same wolves team beat OKC last year in the play in.

3. Are we expecting a complete and total change by seasons end or are we ok with incremental improvements over the season? He currently avg 3.5 TO. What if he lowers it to 2.5-3 TO in the playoffs while staying around 5-6 apg? Is that ok? To me, the issue the "type" of TO that's happening.

Again, I don't disagree with you. Just trying to come from a different perspective is all.

1. In a high paced high stress game the system teams run simplify things. Last year we tried to run two defenses and failed because guys couldn’t keep them straight. At some point Finch needs to realize that systems reduce player error. Guys always drive because they think they better off the drive and don’t always have a plan beyond see what happens. Running set plays and having guys set screens or make cuts create opportunities that open things up. The disjointed chaos approach leads to guys getting in each others way and that is what Finch needs to realize and fix.

2. It’s funny, that game was won if two terrible calls don’t happen. A block turned into a goal tend and a eurostep into a travel. Neither call was close but both resulted in points that swung the game. We are talented enough to beat OKC when they shoot poorly. We are talented enough to beat the Celtics without Mike and Rudy on the road on the back end of a road/road back to back. But talent gets you to the finish line, it doesn’t always win the race. Training, preparation, planning, and learning from prior mistakes do. I don’t think the lack of system is an automatic loss, it is just a weakness that helps tip the scales.

3.It’s not just turnovers. It’s lack of ball movement, lack of offensive flow, disengagement of the rest of the rest of the players on offense, live ball turnovers that lead to transition buckets, ect….It is hero ball end of games that let other teams know they can come back from 9 or 10 or 16 down at the end of the game, and encourages them to dig in instead of giving up. Ant isn’t any better end of game after 42 then he was after 25. This makes me wonder why he will be better after 59?

1. Agreed
2. Agreed

3. Mostly agree. I only used TO as an example. The other areas you mentioned absolutely needs improvement. I wouldn't say we haven't seen Ant improve throughout the season. You don't have a 12 game stretch where it looks like everything is working for him if that were the case. The thing we're looking for is "consistency". This is where coaching and the other players come into play to hold him accountable.

This is why in my earlier post I referenced Wade. On another note, when KA is posted in the corner and Rudy down low, Kat refusing the open 3 to drive instead, there prob are times where you lose a little trust in your teammates and think "oh man I've seen this before". Now being a professional, he needs to work through that and realize he needs these guys to make it easier for him.

We're saying similar things, just a slightly different approach.

[shrink]

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No one will ever be nicer than Kirk.

[Domejandro]

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[shrink]

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[WolfAddict]

40K!?!?!?!?!

Meh, drop in the bucket for him and he's probably thinking it was well worth it - I do worry that he'll fall out of favour with certain refs now though... They can be petty little ****

[winforlose]

40K!?!?!?!?!

Meh, drop in the bucket for him and he's probably thinking it was well worth it - I do worry that he'll fall out of favour with certain refs now though... They can be petty little ****

I agree. But, that picture was damning. The two minute report with the picture is the kind of thing that points to corruption in the game. If refs try to take vengeance and more pictures like that surface it will be a terrible look for the league and the refs.

[TimberKat]

40K!?!?!?!?!

Meh, drop in the bucket for him and he's probably thinking it was well worth it - I do worry that he'll fall out of favour with certain refs now though... They can be petty little ****

Yes, we got bad calls but need to get the focus back on basketball. Towns is doing much better now and Ant needs to get off it too.

[m2002brian]

How is that NOT a foul?

Cheating ass league!

[Neeva]

You notice how other sports try to improve their reffing to the point where reffing mistakes are minimal, the nba does not care.

[m2002brian]

Email the commish asking for an explanation.