DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves are set to battle in the Western Conference Finals. Both teams feature stars, with Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic emerging as potential faces of the league. Edwards has seen a drastic increase in his star-power this season, and Mavs head coach Jason Kidd has taken notice.
“When you look at Ant, just his ability, you know, one, to command leadership at 22,” Kidd said of Edwards on Monday after practice. “That's pretty special. His talent, his smile is infectious. You just look at, he has all the qualities… He is a star in this league. Again, his teammates trust him and they should. He's one of the best players in the world. He is built to be a leader in this league and he's showing that here in the playoffs.”
Kidd thinks the Timberwolves “should” trust Edwards. Edwards has not backed down from the challenge of the NBA playoffs. There is pressure on him, but he's continued to remain confident.
Fortunately for the Mavs, they feature stars to go along with a deep roster. Kidd knows the stars will be shining bright in the series. The Mavs head coach also understands that depth is of the utmost importance.
“When you look at star-power, you got plenty of stars in this series,” Kidd said Monday. “Just understanding Ant, he's a star in this league and also Luka is so I think that's how it's gonna be built. But also I think as we know it's going to be what role players play the best in this series that gives that team the advantage and hopefully were that group.”
Mavericks looking to upset Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Minnesota entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Mavericks were the No. 5 seed. Both teams have taken care of business in the series they have played so far, and the Western Conference Finals projects to be competitive throughout.
With that being said, Minnesota is the favorite. Many analysts and sports pundits have predicted that the Timberwolves will win the series. The Mavericks almost seem to thrive when playing the role of the underdog, though.
“Nothing new,” Mavericks center Dereck Lively II said of the Mavericks being counted out. “No matter if you look at people thinking whose going to win this series, no matter if you look at Luka's MVP race, you look at me Second-Team All-Rookie, it doesn't matter where they're going to put us… No matter where they're gonna put us we're gonna just try to do our best to claw our way out, making noise and just show the world who we are.”
The Mavericks do not care what anyone has to say. They believe in their talent and won't let anyone's opinion stand in their way.
Still, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves have enjoyed an impressive postseason thus far. Dallas is going to be in for a challenge to say the least.
Counting this Mavericks squad out is a risky thing to do, however.
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