You might not have heard a lot about Anthony Edwards this season, and rightfully so. There are a lot of developing stories around the league right now and as a result, this year’s top pick has been relegated to playing a quiet bench role for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Even if that’s the case, there’s no reason to ignore the young stud from the University of Georgia. During his stint with the Bulldogs, Edwards notched an impressive stat line of 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a steal in 33 minutes per game.
These numbers, along with an excellent set of skills, have grabbed the attention of various scouts and teams in the league. The hype surrounding Edwards culminated last November when the Minnesota Timberwolves chose him with the top pick in the 2020 Draft.
With over a month into the current season, Edwards has silently built his case to be considered as one of the best rookies this year. Although he has been overshadowed by LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman, there’s a lot of good things about this shooting guard. Here are three reasons that will convince you to invest more in Anthony Edwards rookie cards.
3. Anthony Edwards is about to step up for the Timberwolves
Take a look at the Wolves right now. Their roster, which boasts an unimpressive 114.9 defensive rating, isn’t built to stop teams from scoring on them. Minnesota’s offense isn’t something to be inspired about either, thanks to a 105 offensive rating. With the way things are going, this squad will likely end up missing the playoffs once again.
That’s rather disappointing because the organization gave up a lot to get D’Angelo Russell. Even if the former balls out every night with Karl-Anthony Towns, the wins won’t come if the players surrounding these two can’t defend well or get a bucket when the team needs them to.
If this is the narrative ahead of Minnesota, there’s no better opportunity for Anthony Edwards out there. Right now, he’s playing from the bench behind Malik Beasley. If Edwards is given more minutes to play, he’ll develop faster than expected.
When that happens, the top pick can contribute more to Minnesota’s offense while providing quality defense at the same time. This will help Edwards’ cards to take a leap when they’re released very soon.
2. He’s a guard inside a forward’s body
One glimpse at Anthony Edwards and you’ll know he’s ready to be physical. Standing at 6’4” and weighing 225 lbs with a 6’9” wingspan, this rookie has it in him to adjust to the league’s style of play without any problems.
Most experts liken Edwards’ physique to a football linebacker, thanks to his well-built frame, athleticism, and endurance. He also has a tremendous burst of speed with the finesse to score down below or make defensive stops. Moreover, he possesses great body control when getting to the basket. Edwards has the potential to use all these tools to become a legitimate two-way player.
If Edwards makes full use of his gifts, you can expect him to be a force to be reckoned with. You’ll see nightly highlights of him locking down the league’s best guards, especially on the perimeter. At the same time, he can provide a scoring punch when Russell and Towns are not playing well for the Timberwolves.
Of course, for that to happen, Edwards must commit himself to improve his outside shot. He also has to take his defense to another level. The good news is this rookie has everything he needs to achieve those goals.
1. Anthony Edwards is the second coming of Dwyane Wade
Prime Dwyane Wade is one of the most captivating players to ever play the game of basketball. Even if he didn’t have the ability to shoot lights out from beyond the arc, Wade can still change the game in his favor and get his team a win.
This is Anthony Edwards’ ceiling. The rookie’s physical gifts and style of play resemble that of Wade, mainly his ability to slash down to the rim and get a bucket. Edwards’ physique also gives him the chance to attain Wade’s defensive ability down the road.
But if that fails, Edwards’ ceiling can still reach two other notable players in the league right now – Donovan Mitchell and Victor Oladipo. The former is an offensive juggernaut while the latter is a credible defender that can also score. If Edwards improves his jumper and defense, he can eventually be like these two stars.
It’s still very early in the season. Anthony Edwards has all the time to reach his potential and prove why he deserves to be the number one pick this year. If he gets to do that, his rookie cards will jump up right off the bat. You better be there chasing them when Edwards eventually lives up to his draft status.
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