Anthony Edwards still has a lot to prove in the NBA, but he's already earned the stamp of approval from Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal. Speaking on Edwards in a recent episode of 'Inside the NBA,' Shaq explained how Edwards reminds him of other all-time guards who played the position.
"When you're playing against a young cat that wants all the smoke and wants your spot, don't matter if you're up by 22, you better continue to play hard and take them out," said O'Neal. "This kid right here is not stopping, he wants it... He reminds me of a young DWade and a young Kobe. He’s going to score, he’s going to get his every time. He's playing super aggressive and I respect the kid and love the kid because he wants it."
Shaq is just the latest NBA legend to pay respects to this rising star. All across the league, Edwards is putting folks on notice that he has arrived as one of the best players in the game. Last week, he had fans stunned after pulling off an amazing game-saving block.
This week, not even Shaq could help but sing his praises after he dropped 37 points in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Really, since Towns went down with a knee injury, Edwards has taken his game to another level and he's putting the Timberwolves on his back to ensure they don't lose too much ground in the West standings.
In many ways, this attitude is similar to that of Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. Like Edwards, they led their teams without fear and with the highest intensity possible. Like Kobe and Wade, Edwards plays with a certain degree of power that can only be compared to the best of the best. But until Ant can win when it matters most, he will always fall short of the legends.
Can Anthony Edwards Break The Timberwolves Curse?
Historically, the Minnesota Timberwolves have not been a franchise rich with success. In fact, aside from a few periods led by standout players, the Timberwolves have been mostly irrelevant over the course of NBA history.
Plagued by bad luck and disappointing playoff losses time and time again, the Wolves are a franchise that people have trouble taking seriously and Edwards joined with no expectations.
Now, amid a breakout season for Edwards (averages of 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game), the Timberwolves are near the top of the West and are on track to pose a major threat in this year's playoff bracket.
At just 22 years old, Edwards still has time to win a championship before the pressure starts to build but he's ready to win now, just like Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade were ready to win right out of the gate.
As one of the league's best defensive teams, the Timberwolves are facing their best odds yet of making a run but questions remain if Edwards can come out on top against some of the best in the West, including the Thunder, Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers.
If he can pass that test, and take the Timberwolves where they haven't been before, it will be the final piece needed for Edwards to ascend into the realm of a true superstar. Some, like Shaquille O'Neal, believe he may already be there.
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