HarthorneWingo wrote:KnicksGod wrote:In 6 years RJ Barrett will be a very good player on a quality team and Anthony Edwards will be a guy trying to get a team to take a flier on him.
I don't know about all that. Edwards looked pretty good. But it'll depend on his work ethic and character.
Edwards is a very bright guy. I posted a vid of an interview before the draft that I believe Mike Schmitz had with him where they were analyzing a multitude of plays that Edwards did that were questionable and you could tell that Edwards understood every play and what the correct thing to do was in each situation. Even before Schmitz finished asking the question sometimes. Out of all the interviews Schmitz had, Edwards was the brightest and sharpest interviewee IMO and you can't teach that (you just can't).
So I don't think it's not understanding basketball that's the concern...Edwards understands basketball (he's also extremely talented from a basketball and a physical tool standpoint). But a lot of people understand things and don't actually do it. Guys know that robbing a bodega is a bad idea and yet they still do it right?
IMO Edwards needs to be in a situation where he gets to play BUT also gets taught the right way. Some tough love be it from a well respected head coach or from well respected teammates that know what it takes to be a professional and play winning basketball while still looking great statistically. I'm not sure that he's going to get that in Minny with that gaggle of players (headlined by KAT and Russell) and with relative novice Chris Finch as the head coach. Honestly, if you ask me the worst team he could have possibly been drafted to I probably would have said the Wolves. That team is full of guys that appear to be enabled and can do whatever they want (hi KAT). That is not what Edwards needs even though that might be what Edwards wants.
The Warriors would have been the absolute best situation for him among the teams that were in the lottery. What he needs is to slot in between Steph and Draymond. He's smarter and has a better feel than Wiseman. IF he can listen to those guys and follow there lead there was clearly a chance for him make a real nice career for himself.
Even the Knicks with Thibs I think could have worked for Edwards had they been in a position to draft him. Edwards has talent. He knows what to do. What he needs is to mature and get it into his head the same thing that Randle got into his head (this season from last), that you don't need to do selfish things to be a star. Edwards has the ability and the skills to do it (most guys don't even if they wanted to).
So what will Edwards become if he remains in Minny? Andrew Wiggins does sound about right.
