When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded away Karl-Anthony Towns and his $220 million contract, it was expected that many of Towns’ offensive responsibilities — and the ensuing defensive attention — would fall to burgeoning superstar Anthony Edwards.
So far, that isn’t working out.
The Timberwolves lost 118-115 to the Boston Celtics on Thursday, lowering their record to 17-16 a year after going 56-26 and reaching the Western Conference finals. It was a rough game for Edwards, who shot 5 of 16 for 15 points, plus six assists and two turnovers.
Edwards had plenty to say after the game about the double teams he was facing. Speaking with reporters, including Dane Moore, Edwards said he wasn’t interested in a playing style that required him to pass out of double teams:
“That’s a good brand of basketball, but it’s not how I want to play, of course. I’m only 23, I don’t want to just be passing the ball all night. … But the way that they’re guarding me, I think I have to.”
Edwards also said it was “super hard” to stay engaged while being double-teamed and that he isn’t sure what to do:
“Them doubling me, definitely it’s like, ‘Bro, what is going on?’ I’m trying to figure it out … I don’t know what to do honestly, but it’s not fun. I don’t want to look like I’m not trying or not as good as I am, because I am, but I can’t show it because I’m getting double-teamed.
“It’s definitely frustrating to see these guys cooking us and I can’t cook them.”
That’s not exactly what you want to hear from the young player who represents the foundation of your team’s entire future. It’s also not hard to imagine every NBA team reading those words and interpreting them as “Keep double-teaming Anthony Edwards. It is working.”
Rather than taking another leap in Towns’ absence, Edwards has overall been roughly as productive as he was last year, but not so much in the past two weeks. In that span, he’s shot 39.3% and scored 18.9 points per game, with Minnesota going 3-5.
Of course, Edwards isn’t the first young player to deal with regular double teams. It’s basically a rite of passage for NBA superstars, and the answer is always to either learn how to score through those double teams or make teams more afraid of the possibility that you find the open man. The odd part is Edwards outright saying he has little interest in the second option.
He and the Timberwolves fortunately have plenty of time to make adjustments. Their next chance for a step forward will be on the road Saturday against the Detroit Pistons.
Anthony Edwards, the rising star for the Minnesota Timberwolves, is feeling the pressure of being double-teamed on the court. In a recent post-game interview, Edwards expressed his frustrations, saying, “I don’t know what to do, honestly.”
The 20-year-old guard has been a force to be reckoned with this season, averaging over 20 points per game and showing off his explosive scoring ability. However, opposing teams have started to key in on him, sending double-teams his way to try and slow him down.
“It’s tough out there when you’ve got two guys on you all the time,” Edwards said. “I’m trying to make the right play, but it’s hard when you don’t have much space to work with.”
Despite the added defensive attention, Edwards remains confident in his abilities and is determined to figure out how to overcome the double-teams. “I know I have to keep working on my game and finding ways to beat the defense,” he said.
Fans of the Timberwolves are hopeful that Edwards will find a way to navigate through the double-teams and continue to shine on the court. With his talent and work ethic, there’s no doubt that he will find a solution to this challenge and come out even stronger on the other side.
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Anthony Edwards, NBA, double-teamed, frustrations, basketball, Minnesota Timberwolves, sports, player, interview, tactics, defense
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