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The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the Western Conference Finals, just four wins shy of reaching their first-ever NBA Finals. One of the main reasons for this team’s success is due to their defensive tenacity all year long. After finishing the season ranked first in defensive rating, the Timberwolves saw Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels honored on the NBA’s All-Defensive Team. However, rising superstar Anthony Edwards was not featured on this list despite the advancements he made to become one of the better two-way threats in the league.
While the numbers may not show it, Edwards has turned himself into a terrific on-ball defender, and he showcased his defensive repertoire while guarding Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray in the Western Conference Semifinals. Unfortunately for Edwards, not many media members recognized his achievements on defense this season. Edwards received only four votes for the All-Defensive Second Team, finishing behind 20 other players in the All-Defensive voting.
Ahead of the Timberwolves’ game on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, Edwards broke his silence on being an All-Defensive snub with a sarcastic jab at those who continue to doubt him.
“Only four?” Edwards questioned while laughing with the media, via Chris Hine of the Star Tribune. “That’s crazy.”
Defense is an area in which Edwards has worked hard to improve himself as an all-around talent for the Timberwolves, and the results certainly speak for themselves. Minnesota is in the Western Conference Finals in large part because of Edwards’ two-way abilities, which is why these four votes are almost an insult to the All-Star swingman.
Anthony Edwards’ defense
If there is one player in the NBA who isn’t afraid to speak his mind, it is Anthony Edwards. At just 22 years old, Edwards already possesses the swag and grit to be one of the faces of the league moving forward. That is why he oftentimes draws comparisons to a young Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant.
However, Edwards is focused on being himself instead of walking in the shadows of others. That is where his defensive abilities come into play.
Against the Nuggets, Edwards simply shut down Murray, and he did not allow Denver’s lead guard to get going. After the Timberwolves sealed the deal on this series, taking Game 7 in Denver, Edwards made sure to point out the obvious, claiming that he had Murray “in handcuffs” throughout the series. He also made sure to look ahead and preview his matchup with Kyrie Irving in the Western Conference Finals.
Edwards has always been recognized for his offensive abilities, but what he does on defense oftentimes gets overshadowed by Gobert and McDaniels, the Timberwolves’ two All-Defensive selections this season. This is a narrative he is looking to change heading into the conference finals against Irving and the Mavs.
“Yeah, for sure. I am not viewed as a defensive player, but I feel like teams know,” Edwards told reporters on Wednesday, via Chris Hine of the Star Tribune. “The players who I’m guarding know like, ‘He can slide his feet; I need to stay away from him.’ I’m definitely proud of myself for what I do defensively.”
The young star knows that teams are beginning to pick up on the impact he can make defensively, which is why he is even more locked in on that end of the court. Playing with the mentality of an underdog is something that resonates with Edwards and the Timberwolves, which is why they are at peace with the mindset of others overlooking them.
The product Edwards puts on the court every time he takes the floor speaks for itself. At the end of the day, Edwards knows what he is capable of, which is why he truly does not care about receiving only four votes for the NBA All-Defensive team.
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