Though they entered the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by the indomitable Anthony Edwards, turned the narrative on its head by stunning the basketball world in their first-round clash against the formidable Los Angeles Lakers.
In an exhilarating showdown, the Timberwolves triumphed, sending the Lakers home in just five games.
On a recent episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, co-hosted by icons LeBron James and Steve Nash, James shared his thoughts on the remarkable evolution of Edwards, emphasizing the young star’s rapid growth.
After being bested by Edwards and his squad, James, who boasts an impressive 22 seasons in the league, expressed nothing but admiration for the Timberwolves guard.
“Now I see Ant taking that next step. It’s a proud feeling for me as a player who has been in the league for so long,” James remarked. “He’s improved so much with his playmaking, and you’ve seen him make the jump just from last year’s playoff run to this one.”
During the series, Edwards showcased his immense talent by averaging 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game with shooting splits of 42/33/78. While his efficiency may have wavered, it was his enhanced playmaking that became a linchpin for Minnesota’s success.
Meanwhile, Lakers head coach JJ Redick devised a strategy aimed at limiting Edwards’ impact. His team frequently double-teamed the young star, pressuring him to yield the ball while hoping his teammates would falter. However, Edwards adapted swiftly, showcasing his basketball IQ with quicker decision-making that created more open shots for himself and others.
“I commend him; he just grew throughout our series. That I think is gonna benefit him throughout the rest of this postseason run,” James noted appreciatively.
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As Edwards continues to dazzle fans, he has firmly established himself as one of the most electrifying talents in the league.
With aspirations of reaching the conference finals for the second consecutive year—a feat never before accomplished in franchise history—the Timberwolves are gearing up to face the Golden State Warriors in the next round.
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