Being drafted with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft is not only a privilege for a young player, but also somewhat of a burden, as it means endless comparisons with other players who were drafted after them. Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards, the first overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, has heard the debates and comparisons to other players and is tired of it.
Following the Timberwolves’ 114-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, Edwards said he has moved past the debates about his selection as the first overall pick:
Anthony Edwards on the debate over NO. 1 pick: "Whoever is still talking about that, they can just kick rocks."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) March 15, 2021
With Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball also playing well in his rookie season, there are those who have questioned the Timberwolves' decision to draft the former Georgia Bulldog with the first overall pick.
But on Sunday against the Blazers, the 19-year-old Edwards let his game do the talking, finishing with a career-high 34 points, making 12-of-24 shots while adding four rebounds and two assists.
In doing so, he made history by scoring the most points by a teenager in a game in franchise history, beating a record previously held by Kevin Garnett. Edwards was also the youngest Minnesota player to have a 30-point game.
While others will second-guess Minnesota’s decision in the 2020 draft, Edwards found a strong supporter in teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, another former first overall pick, who believes the Timberwolves made the right choice in drafting him:
KAT on Ant being taken No. 1: "Let me say it was the right decision for us as an organization. I want to make that clear."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) March 15, 2021
In 38 games, the rookie is averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 38.1% from the field and 31.5% from beyond the arc. But more importantly, he has helped the Timberwolves to wins in two of their last three games after the All-Star break, and in doing so, silenced some of the talk about his status as a first overall pick.
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