Colbinii wrote:Not every 1st round pick is created equal.
https://nbadraftroom.com/p/anthony-edwards/Dominique Wilkins, Victor Oladipo, Jaylen BrownThese are the types of players who were thrown around for his realistic, higher-end outcome. Basically a solid #2 option on a true title contender, a #1 on a middling team.
Edwards never showed this vision or passing as a prospect. He never showed this defensive intensity or skill either. Remember his rookie season and even in 2022 he looked "lost" defensively. That's completely gone now.
Regarding the first underline, you can never take comps seriously. NBADraft.net compared DeShawn Stevenson to Michael Jordan. Do I have to say more?
Wilkins wasn't a 3-point shooter. In college, Edwards averaged 7.7 3PA per game. Oladipo was known more for his defense than offense (average 13.6 PPG his junior season). Brown's the best of the ones listed simply because he struggled his lone season at Cal, much like Ant at Georgia.
The second underline is not true. His college coach, Tom Crean, stated Edwards had every tool you could want. The issue, of course, was consistency. Go back and watch his college games. He exploded for 37 points against No. 3 Michigan State at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. He led his team in steals (12 games) and blocks (9 games). While you're at it, numerous YouTube draft channels discussed how he didn't bring it repeatedly, but the skills were always there. When you combine that with his athleticism, body and later start playing basketball, it seemed obvious at the time. As a prospect, he was the perfect clay to be molded.
And let's be honest, there are still a few stragglers who believe Ryan Saunders is a good coach, but he was not what Edwards needed to start his professional career. Under Finch...