On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
For the second consecutive season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals. Before the 2024 NBA season, the Wolves had two playoff series wins in their franchise history. Now, they’ve averaged that amount over a two year span. Anthony Edwards has changed the entire perception of the franchise since beginning his career in 2020. His heroics have earned the stamp of approval from a Timberwolves legend as a superstar.
Just over 20 years later after spurring that first Western Conference Finals appearance in 2004, Kevin Garnett is witnessing the foundation he built in Minnesota begin to blossom. Edwards continues to take massive leaps following in Garnett’s footsteps. This past season was a career year for Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists on 44.7% from the field.
It isn’t just Edwards’ statistics that elevate him into superstar conversations. Garnett believes Edwards has all the intangibles aside from his skills that compose the modern superstar.
“He got the elements that you need to be the face,” Garnett said on his Ticket & The Truth. “He’s talked that sh*t, he has backed it up.”
Edwards’ charisma in leadership is a vital aspect of his greatness as a player. As a result, Minnesota has experienced a trickle-down effect with the rest of the team. Not only is Edwards improving his production, but he has also begun to improve those around him. Garnett takes note of this addition to the young star’s game in his assessment of him as a superstar.
“Edwards got Rudy Gbert feeling like he’s goddamn Shaq some nights,” Garnett exclaimed. “They follow how he goes, and I love him.”
Garnett’s comparison of Gobert to Shaquille O’Neal is a direct reference to the Frenchman’s dominant Game 5 performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. Gobert had the best game of his playoff career, finishing with 27 points and 24 rebounds in a closeout of the 3rd seeded Lakers, who were picked by many to win the series.
Edwards now constantly pushes his teammates to be better. He has learned which ways of leadership are more effective depending on his teammates, which is a true sign of a leader.
Nonetheless, Edwards’ ascension in Minnesota over the past two seasons is enough for Garnett to look at him in a different light. The time has come for Edwards’ name to be mentioned alongside the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
The 23-year-old is one of the last remaining stars in the NBA playoffs. Minnesota has its eyes on capturing an NBA title. If Edwards can end the city’s championship drought, not only will he be considered a superstar, but he will be immortalized in that city.
More must-reads:
- Celtics expect to make another move
- Luka Doncic played role in recruiting Marcus Smart to Lakers
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Nikola Jokic has ultimate compliment for rookie big man
The Portland Trail Blazers stunned the basketball world when they took Chinese star Hansen Yang with the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Yang turned heads with his passing and court vision during the NBA Draft Combine, and he was also the talk of the Summer League. Fans dubbed him the "Chinese Nikola Jokic" due to his passing, and he took pride in that reputation. “Picture and signature, please,” Yang said when asked what he wanted from his first matchup with Jokic. The Denver Nuggets star was asked to share his thoughts on Hansen, and he agreed to comply with his request, provided that he meets one major condition. “He’s good. I think I’m happy when he gets in his prime that I’m going to be out of the league probably,” Jokic said with a laugh. “Yeah, he’s talented. Yes, we can have a picture or whatever he wants only if he plays bad against me. Let’s say like that if I destroy him and I score a lot of points then yes. If he do that, no.” Jokic hinting at retirement shouldn't be surprising, as he's previously mentioned leaving the NBA soon. He's already 30 years old, and he might not want to play until the wheels fall off. As for Yang, he still needs to undergo some development, but having a 7-foot-1 physical specimen with a feel for passing might open up plenty of opportunities for Chauncey Billups and the Blazers' offense next season.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
MLB's midseason break was kind to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. On Wednesday, the three-time MVP tied a Dodgers franchise record with a home run in his fifth consecutive game, taking Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack 441 feet to centerfield on an 0-2 79 mph curveball in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani entered the All-Star break with 32 home runs but had just two in his 12 previous games before beginning his current streak. He's appeared in 101 of L.A.'s 103 games, putting him on pace for 159 games this season. If Ohtani continues at his home run trajectory, he'll set a personal record for single-season home runs, breaking the record he established last season, his first with the Dodgers. Per ESPN Bet, Ohtani (-1800) is an overwhelming favorite to be named NL MVP for the second consecutive season. With every home run hit, his odds of receiving a fourth overall MVP award likely increase. Also helping Ohtani's case is his return to the mound after not pitching a season ago while rehabbing from 2023 surgery. The Dodgers have slowly eased him back, with Ohtani throwing 12 innings in six starts, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the top six percent in average fastball velocity (97.8 mph), a promising sign as he continues his progression. While the Dodgers keep him on a pitch count, Ohtani didn't need much warming up at the plate following the in-season break to find his swing. Some might argue he's already in postseason form.
Tua Tagovailoa addresses relationship with Tyreek Hill after controversial comments
Shortly after Miami Dolphins players reported for training camp on Tuesday, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill suggested he wants to be "better as a leader" after he controversially subbed himself out of Miami's regular-season finale this past January and then told reporters he was "out." While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa addressed the Hill-sized elephant in the room. "I think there’s a lot more vulnerability with Tyreek," Tagovailoa explained, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "He’s conversating a lot more with the guys, not just about football, but about things off the field, being vulnerable about some of the things people know about his personal life and things of that nature. I think that’s the first step toward him building true relationships and a real connection with a lot of the guys in there." Following Hill's "out" comment, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier revealed that the 31-year-old speedster never requested a trade. While publicly apologizing to his teammates during a Super Bowl week interview, Hill directly said that Tagovailoa is his "guy." Hill also insisted at the time that he loves Tagovailoa. "Everybody makes mistakes," Tagovailoa added about Hill. "It’s just, some people, they’re in the spotlight, and their deals get pushed out more than some others. So you’ve just got to cut him some grace. That’s our teammate. We love him, but as a person, I think if you get to know him, you’ll love him too." Hill and Tagovailoa likely will need to be on the same page if they want to prevent the Dolphins from going through a franchise reset next offseason. At least head coach Mike McDaniel is reportedly on the hot seat this summer, while Tagovailoa's status beyond the upcoming campaign is up in the air after he suffered a third reported concussion since the fall of 2022 last season. "You guys aren’t the only people that heard that," Tagovailoa said about Hill's "out" statement. "...So when you say something like that, you don’t just come back from that with, 'Hey, my bad.' You’ve got to work that relationship up. You’ve got to build everything up again. It’s still a work in progress, not just for me but for everybody. But like I said, he’s working on himself, he’s working on the things he says he wants to get better with and do better on. So that’s the first step to me, so I commend him for doing that." As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 2024 Dolphins at -275 betting odds to miss the playoffs. Those who believe the relationship between Tagovailoa and Hill is on shaky ground following Wednesday's developments may want to take a flier on such a wager before the odds change later this year.
Commanders' Jayden Daniels discusses Terry McLaurin's holdout amid contract dispute
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin reportedly wants "to bring a deal together" with his current employer regarding a contract extension. Still, he nevertheless elected to stay away from the team during the start of training camp practices this week. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels was understandably asked about McLaurin's absence. "I would talk to Terry like if he was here, just checking up on him, at the end of the day, that's just a relationship that we have on and off the field," Daniels said, Newsweek's Justin Grasso shared. "This is just business in the NFL. You know, we know Terry's working. We don't really have to worry about him doing any of that, but at the end of the day, he's still one of our brothers." After the Commanders made Daniels the second overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, McLaurin became the favorite target of the signal-caller, who ultimately earned Offensive Rookie of the Year Award honors. According to ESPN stats, McLaurin finished the 2024 season with team highs of 82 receptions, 117 targets and 1,096 receiving yards. He was also second in the entire league with 13 touchdown catches. Per ESPN's John Keim, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn insisted on Wednesday that the McLaurin situation is simply "part of the business of our league." McLaurin is in the final year of his current contract, and NFL reporter Henry McKenna of Fox Sports suggested earlier in the week that the 29-year-old could "be interested in working out something similar" to the five-year, $150M deal that the Pittsburgh Steelers handed wide receiver DK Metcalf in March. "It helps out a lot [we worked together last year]," Daniels added about McLaurin. "If this was last year, probably different because we didn't know each other. Now, we have a whole year under our belt, and just the relationship we built on and off the field. We don't really have egos when it comes to our relationship with each other, so it's going to be seamless. I know Terry's working, though. ...Whenever the time comes and he's back out on the field, I don't think we'll miss a beat." As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Commanders team, which lost this year's NFC Championship Game, sixth among the betting favorites at +1800 odds to win Super Bowl LX. Such information suggests that now may not be the best time for Washington to be stingy, regardless of McLaurin's contract requests.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
