Official Anthony Edwards Thread

[Jedzz]

The Wolves "took Russell on a helicopter ride over Los Angeles, before delivering him to a private locale for a recruitment presentation they’d been planning the previous month," Slater wrote. "On the helicopter trip back, good vibes in the air, news broke of Russell’s near agreement with the Warriors. Phones buzzed. The mood in the cabin changed. The rest of the date sounded quite uncomfortable."

1. I don't think you're following me here... I'm not blaming Russell... as much as the Wolves. Whether Russell was 23 or 33... doesn't matter... why would you mortgage your future for that type of guy? Accountability... from the Wolves. They keep proving that they lack it — and we've seen how that's translated throughout the organization and onto the court.

2. Trades are ultimately judged by results. The concern was always "but what if the pairing doesn't work... that pick could be good?" Well... here we are. The trade has not worked out. In the annals of history, the reasoning won't matter IF the Wolves lose a very high draft pick to the Warriors. The trade will be a bust.

With regard to the Wolves organization, they knew it was likely they end up with Dlo, so rolling out the red carpet isn’t embarrassing or wasteful.

Again... I don't have an issue with the Wolves putting Russell on that helicopter and wooing him. I don't have an issue with Russell joining GSW.

I have an issue with the Wolves continuing to woo a player for months after the ride... after he didn't have the maturity to tell them face-to-face that he'd already signed with another team before the helicopter ride. That TYPE of person is the type Rosas believed could be a foundational piece for the organization?

Accountability. It's been an ongoing issue for the Wolves.

You are refusing to accept the possibility that this was all planned out already that I laid out for you earlier. You are stuck harping about something you can't know about but have already decided and written in as facts in your head.

If Dlo knew he was going to be a Timberwolves player, with Kat, as the players had talked in the past about getting to happen, and the plan was already in motion and they all knew they would just have to wait until the trade deadline... Then it was like he was already part of the crew. This was just the process they had to go through to get everyone what they wanted to make it happen. You keep saying he was immature and hid something from the Timberwolves. I think maybe you are being immature about something the Timberwolves hid from you.

I'll even go a step further for you to point you to how many times Steve Kerr made a point to bring up how great a fit Dlo was and how he will still fit when Steph comes back, how they have it all planned and it's all for the good. Truly, do a search or two and see the hundreds of times he expounded on this. And yet at the trade deadline he's gone. It was all one big dog and pony show. Kerr did a lot of the same ever since that trade this time for Wiggins, especially around draft time and right after, when they were hoping to move him with thier pick. I think he might have given up finally.

[AbeVigodaLive]

With regard to the Wolves organization, they knew it was likely they end up with Dlo, so rolling out the red carpet isn’t embarrassing or wasteful.

Again... I don't have an issue with the Wolves putting Russell on that helicopter and wooing him. I don't have an issue with Russell joining GSW.

I have an issue with the Wolves continuing to woo a player for months after the ride... after he didn't have the maturity to tell them face-to-face that he'd already signed with another team before the helicopter ride. That TYPE of person is the type Rosas believed could be a foundational piece for the organization?

Accountability. It's been an ongoing issue for the Wolves.

You are refusing to accept the possibility that this was all planned out already that I laid out for you earlier. You are stuck harping about something you can't know about but have already decided and written in as facts in your head.

If Dlo knew he was going to be a Timberwolves player, with Kat, as the players had talked in the past about getting to happen, and the plan was already in motion and they all knew they would just have to wait until the trade deadline... Then it was like he was already part of the crew. This was just the process they had to go through to get everyone what they wanted to make it happen. You keep saying he was immature and hid something from the Timberwolves. I think maybe you are being immature about something the Timberwolves hid from you.

I'll even go a step further for you to point you to how many times Steve Kerr made a point to bring up how great a fit Dlo was and how he will still fit when Steph comes back, how they have it all planned and it's all for the good. Truly, do a search or two and see the hundreds of times he expounded on this. And yet at the trade deadline he's gone. It was all one big dog and pony show. Kerr did a lot of the same ever since that trade this time for Wiggins, especially around draft time and right after, when they were hoping to move him with thier pick. I think he might have given up finally.

You can stop now. This is beyond ridiculous.

[Merc_Porto]

You are refusing to accept the possibility that this was all planned out already that I laid out for you earlier. You are stuck harping about something you can't know about but have already decided and written in as facts in your head.

Which part was planned in that scenario?
He signs with GSW and then in the trade deadline he joins the Timberwolves?

[Calinks]

Here's what I don't understand:

Read on Twitter

If those stats are correct, there can only be one of two things happening. One, Edwards is allowed or told to shoot from the outside as much as he. Two, he's not listening to the coaches.

Obviously, neither is good...

I didn't know he was shooting almost 60 percent at the rim, I would have guessed that it was worse. That is absolutely what he needs to be doing. They should actively stop him from taking jumpers. Limit those big time and make him attack. This is a situation where a vet coach would be having him on the bench and fans would be complaining but that coach would be trying to show him how to play the right way. I think letting him go out there and do whatever is reckless. We need to shape his game.

[Sugarless]

Here's what I don't understand:

Read on Twitter

If those stats are correct, there can only be one of two things happening. One, Edwards is allowed or told to shoot from the outside as much as he. Two, he's not listening to the coaches.

Obviously, neither is good...

I didn't know he was shooting almost 60 percent at the rim, I would have guessed that it was worse. That is absolutely what he needs to be doing. They should actively stop him from taking jumpers. Limit those big time and make him attack. This is a situation where a vet coach would be having him on the bench and fans would be complaining but that coach would be trying to show him how to play the right way. I think letting him go out there and do whatever is reckless. We need to shape his game.

That FG% at the rim looks to be either wrong or maybe cherry-picked by taking only some types of shots. Edwards is shooting just 53.0% in the restricted area (46% in the paint overall), while making only 48% of his layups and finger rolls.

There's no debate though about him needing to attack the paint more and stop shooting from mid-range and from three. He may not be very efficient yet when he penetrates, but it's much better than seeing him take jump-shots.

[SmokeyPaw]

Here's what I don't understand:

Read on Twitter

If those stats are correct, there can only be one of two things happening. One, Edwards is allowed or told to shoot from the outside as much as he. Two, he's not listening to the coaches.

Obviously, neither is good...

I didn't know he was shooting almost 60 percent at the rim, I would have guessed that it was worse. That is absolutely what he needs to be doing. They should actively stop him from taking jumpers. Limit those big time and make him attack. This is a situation where a vet coach would be having him on the bench and fans would be complaining but that coach would be trying to show him how to play the right way. I think letting him go out there and do whatever is reckless. We need to shape his game.

That FG% at the rim looks to be either wrong or maybe cherry-picked by taking only some types of shots. Edwards is shooting just 53.0% in the restricted area (46% in the paint overall), while making only 48% of his layups and finger rolls.

There's no debate though about him needing to attack the paint more and stop shooting from range and from three. He may not be very efficient yet when he penetrates, but it's much better than seeing him take jump-shots.

Basketball-Reference has him at. 572 from 0-3 foot.

[Sugarless]

I didn't know he was shooting almost 60 percent at the rim, I would have guessed that it was worse. That is absolutely what he needs to be doing. They should actively stop him from taking jumpers. Limit those big time and make him attack. This is a situation where a vet coach would be having him on the bench and fans would be complaining but that coach would be trying to show him how to play the right way. I think letting him go out there and do whatever is reckless. We need to shape his game.

That FG% at the rim looks to be either wrong or maybe cherry-picked by taking only some types of shots. Edwards is shooting just 53.0% in the restricted area (46% in the paint overall), while making only 48% of his layups and finger rolls.

There's no debate though about him needing to attack the paint more and stop shooting from range and from three. He may not be very efficient yet when he penetrates, but it's much better than seeing him take jump-shots.

Basketball-Reference has him at. 572 from 0-3 foot.

I got it from NBA.com's official stats.

They also mark him at .51 from 0-4 ft, so either he's shot a bunch from exactly 4 ft away and missed most of them, or BBRef's stats are not as accurate.

[m2002brian]

That FG% at the rim looks to be either wrong or maybe cherry-picked by taking only some types of shots. Edwards is shooting just 53.0% in the restricted area (46% in the paint overall), while making only 48% of his layups and finger rolls.

There's no debate though about him needing to attack the paint more and stop shooting from range and from three. He may not be very efficient yet when he penetrates, but it's much better than seeing him take jump-shots.

Basketball-Reference has him at. 572 from 0-3 foot.

I got it from NBA.com's official stats.

They also mark him at .51 from 0-4 ft, so either he's shot a bunch from exactly 4 ft away and missed most of them, or BBRef's stats are not as accurate.

Well, technically, it wouldn’t be exactly 4 ft.
It would be any shot between 3’ 1” and 4’

[Sugarless]

Basketball-Reference has him at. 572 from 0-3 foot.

I got it from NBA.com's official stats.

They also mark him at .51 from 0-4 ft, so either he's shot a bunch from exactly 4 ft away and missed most of them, or BBRef's stats are not as accurate.

Well, technically, it wouldn’t be exactly 4 ft.
It would be any shot between 3’ 1” and 4’

We need to call the NBA and BBRef and find out how they're counting it.

[Jedzz]

You can stop now. This is beyond ridiculous.

Yes your opinions on Dlo's character were sort of ridiculous and shouldn't be in the Edwards thread. I agree. We shouldn't discuss it here in the least.

[winforlose]

I have been seeing a lot of talk about Ant and who he is, what he is, what he will be. While I am the first to point out his flaws (and believe me there are a lot of them,) I feel it’s important to point out his development might be the most bizarre, handicapped, and outright fu***** of any lottery pick in wolves history. Between the short college season and the fact that he is 19 he really is closer to a straight from high school then a one and done. Add to that no Summer league, short preseason, condensed regular season (fewer practices,) and all the crap that comes with having a bad team, bad coach, bad system. Edwards needs to be cut a lot of slack and we need to understand that he is a serious work in progress. We know he is using poor judgment, we know he is chucking, but just because we are seeing his floor doesn’t mean we should dismiss his ceiling. The question is whether he will listen to Finch and whether Finch will hold him accountable.

[Jedzz]

I have been seeing a lot of talk about Ant and who he is, what he is, what he will be. While I am the first to point out his flaws (and believe me there are a lot of them,) I feel it’s important to point out his development might be the most bizarre, handicapped, and outright fu***** of any lottery pick in wolves history. Between the short college season and the fact that he is 19 he really is closer to a straight from high school then a one and done. Add to that no Summer league, short preseason, condensed regular season (fewer practices,) and all the crap that comes with having a bad team, bad coach, bad system. Edwards needs to be cut a lot of slack and we need to understand that he is a serious work in progress. We know he is using poor judgment, we know he is chucking, but just because we are seeing his floor doesn’t mean we should dismiss his ceiling. The question is whether he will listen to Finch and whether Finch will hold him accountable.

It is possible if he had a summer league period, a real pre rookie offseason preparedness program studying the team's scheme plans for him, a real preseason, all that...it's also possible they turn him into worse than he has been. It's the Timberwolves and none of that stuff prepared Culver to play. Sure, he was held out of summerleague too I suppose.

[winforlose]

I have been seeing a lot of talk about Ant and who he is, what he is, what he will be. While I am the first to point out his flaws (and believe me there are a lot of them,) I feel it’s important to point out his development might be the most bizarre, handicapped, and outright fu***** of any lottery pick in wolves history. Between the short college season and the fact that he is 19 he really is closer to a straight from high school then a one and done. Add to that no Summer league, short preseason, condensed regular season (fewer practices,) and all the crap that comes with having a bad team, bad coach, bad system. Edwards needs to be cut a lot of slack and we need to understand that he is a serious work in progress. We know he is using poor judgment, we know he is chucking, but just because we are seeing his floor doesn’t mean we should dismiss his ceiling. The question is whether he will listen to Finch and whether Finch will hold him accountable.

It is possible if he had a summer league period, a real pre rookie offseason preparedness program studying the team's scheme plans for him, a real preseason, all that...it's also possible they turn him into worse than he has been. It's the Timberwolves and none of that stuff prepared Culver to play. Sure, he was held out of summerleague too I suppose.

In one week of coaching Finch gave Edwards the formula for success. Drive more, jump shoot less. Your right that Ryan could have done more of a number on him, but who knows maybe his Summer league coach would actually be qualified to coach. Either way, it’s an easy out to say that having time to actually learn to play basketball might not have helped. Anything might or might not help.

[Merc_Porto]

In one week of coaching Finch gave Edwards the formula for success. Drive more, jump shoot less

He definitely drive more as result of a higher volume of FGA.

4 games with Finch:
Less than 5ft - 31 FGA
20-24ft - 17 FGA
25-29ft - 21 FGA

Previous 4 with Ryan:
Less than 5ft - 19 FGA
20-24ft - 12 FGA
25-29ft - 14 FGA

[winforlose]

In one week of coaching Finch gave Edwards the formula for success. Drive more, jump shoot less

He definitely drive more as result of a higher volume of FGA.

4 games with Finch:
Less than 5ft - 31 FGA
20-24ft - 17 FGA
25-29ft - 21 FGA

Previous 4 with Ryan:
Less than 5ft - 19 FGA
20-24ft - 12 FGA
25-29ft - 14 FGA

You know as well as I do Beasley being suspended increased his FGA. Seriously you think Okogie or layman was going to pickup Beasley’s FA. KAT is often double or triple teamed and Ant is too quick to play hero ball. I think you also agree with me (I hope you do,) that Edwards is at his best when he is getting to the rim. With some practice and coaching he can learn to draw contact and as his reputation in the league builds (dumbest thing in professional sports that refs call games differently depending on who is playing,) he will get to the line.

[Jedzz]

In one week of coaching Finch gave Edwards the formula for success. Drive more, jump shoot less.

We heard the words were finally said by Finch. Doesn't mean Edwards will follow it. Doesn't mean another coach didn't already preach that. We have numerous posts by numerous people here already suggesting that in January. You would think one of his coaches/assistants would have been suggesting as much. It did appear that someone brought this up to him because we saw a slight increase in a couple games stretch there for a bit. We'll see if Finch can get him going, or maybe he will be some other team's tank commander dropping 21 shots/g in a week or two.

[winforlose]

In one week of coaching Finch gave Edwards the formula for success. Drive more, jump shoot less.

We heard the words were finally said by Finch. Doesn't mean Edwards will follow it. Doesn't mean another coach didn't already preach that. We have numerous posts by numerous people here already suggesting that in January. You would think one of his coaches/assistants would have been suggesting as much. It did appear that someone brought this up to him because we saw a slight increase in a couple games stretch there for a bit. We'll see if Finch can get him going, or maybe he will be some other team's tank commander dropping 21 shots/g in a week or two.

I already said something similar two posts ago. Finch needs to hold Edwards accountable. It doesn’t matter who said what to Ant before Finch because Ryan didn’t hold him accountable. There is more to coaching then scheme work and rotations. You need to be able to effectively communicate to each player and then hold them accountable when they don’t listen or don’t show up motivated to practice or games.

Look at Beasley in Denver. The kid could score like crazy but he wasn’t playing the level of defense they needed. They refused to start him until/unless his defense improved. Putting aside the question of his defense with us, the point is a coach took a stand and held a player accountable. Another example is the evolution of the Bucks from shooting relatively low numbers of 3s per game at questionable efficiency to high volume and much better accuracy. Coaching matters.

[Jedzz]

In one week of coaching Finch gave Edwards the formula for success. Drive more, jump shoot less

He definitely drive more as result of a higher volume of FGA.

4 games with Finch:
Less than 5ft - 31 FGA
20-24ft - 17 FGA
25-29ft - 21 FGA

Previous 4 with Ryan:
Less than 5ft - 19 FGA
20-24ft - 12 FGA
25-29ft - 14 FGA

You know as well as I do Beasley being suspended increased his FGA. Seriously you think Okogie or layman was going to pickup Beasley’s FA. KAT is often double or triple teamed and Ant is too quick to play hero ball. I think you also agree with me (I hope you do,) that Edwards is at his best when he is getting to the rim. With some practice and coaching he can learn to draw contact and as his reputation in the league builds (dumbest thing in professional sports that refs call games differently depending on who is playing,) he will get to the line.

I think he would and already does draw foul shots out of pure gravity of his burst flashing when he goes strong to finish. Refs notice him going strong. That seems to drop off when he attempts to go finesse finish. One thing I would hate to see is someone training him to draw contact and him learning to focus on that instead of finish first. I think that's ruined many a Wolves player last 10 years or so. Kevin Love - learned to arm flail. Kat full body jump and arm flail. Okogie smash and crash angling body into everything. All of them trying to draw fouls more then they try to finish in the hoop. It's worthless if you aren't going to make the basket first and foremost and that oversell often takes enough energy away that they can't actually finish on the hoop. The players with great bbiq and body control do it so naturally it doesn't rob much energy along the way to the finish. Start asking Ant to throw/lean his body into players and away from the basket and now we'll have another Okogie getting called for offensive fouls. I think I've already seen refs giving him near Lebron like calls as long as he goes in strong. He's even gotten away with the Lebron shoulder charge a couple times. I think once he got tagged offensively. He's got that gravity.

[winforlose]

He definitely drive more as result of a higher volume of FGA.

4 games with Finch:
Less than 5ft - 31 FGA
20-24ft - 17 FGA
25-29ft - 21 FGA

Previous 4 with Ryan:
Less than 5ft - 19 FGA
20-24ft - 12 FGA
25-29ft - 14 FGA

You know as well as I do Beasley being suspended increased his FGA. Seriously you think Okogie or layman was going to pickup Beasley’s FA. KAT is often double or triple teamed and Ant is too quick to play hero ball. I think you also agree with me (I hope you do,) that Edwards is at his best when he is getting to the rim. With some practice and coaching he can learn to draw contact and as his reputation in the league builds (dumbest thing in professional sports that refs call games differently depending on who is playing,) he will get to the line.

I think he would and already does draw foul shots out of pure gravity of his burst flashing when he goes strong to finish. Refs notice him going strong. That seems to drop off when he attempts to go finesse finish. One thing I would hate to see is someone training him to draw contact and him learning to focus on that instead of finish first. I think that's ruined many a Wolves player last 10 years or so. Kevin Love - learned to arm flail. Kat full body jump and arm flail. Okogie smash and crash angling body into everything. All of them trying to draw fouls more then they try to finish in the hoop. It's worthless if you aren't going to make the basket first and foremost and that oversell often takes enough energy away that they can't actually finish on the hoop. The players with great bbiq and body control do it so naturally it doesn't rob much energy along the way to the finish. Start asking Ant to throw/lean his body into players and away from the basket and now we'll have another Okogie getting called for offensive fouls. I think I've already seen refs giving him near Lebron like calls as long as he goes in strong. He's even gotten away with the Lebron shoulder charge a couple times. I think once he got tagged offensively. He's got that gravity.

Finish through contact.

[BlacJacMac]

I have been seeing a lot of talk about Ant and who he is, what he is, what he will be. While I am the first to point out his flaws (and believe me there are a lot of them,) I feel it’s important to point out his development might be the most bizarre, handicapped, and outright fu***** of any lottery pick in wolves history. Between the short college season and the fact that he is 19 he really is closer to a straight from high school then a one and done. Add to that no Summer league, short preseason, condensed regular season (fewer practices,) and all the crap that comes with having a bad team, bad coach, bad system. Edwards needs to be cut a lot of slack and we need to understand that he is a serious work in progress. We know he is using poor judgment, we know he is chucking, but just because we are seeing his floor doesn’t mean we should dismiss his ceiling. The question is whether he will listen to Finch and whether Finch will hold him accountable.

I can't really argue with the rest, but he didn't have a short college season. He played 32 games at Georgia and COVID only cost him a single SEC tournament game. His team wasn't going to play in the NCAA or NIT tournaments regardless.