Anthony Edwards’ ‘Next Step in Evolultion’ Highlighted by Timberwolves Head Coach 17 Days Before Training Camp: “Manipulating the Floor!”

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch recently sat with JJ Redick on the latter’s podcast “The Old Man and The Three,” where they spoke on different topics. Unsurprisingly, Redick also had something to talk about Anthony Edwards and asked the head coach about the improvements he wanted to see in him. As the FIBA World Cup is now over and training camps are only 17 days away, Finch had his points for the Timberwolves youngster, whose playing style has been drawing comparisons with Michael Jordan.

Recently, a video of Edwards and Jordan’s playing style went viral on social media. The uncanny resemblance in their fadeaways, turnaround jumpers, acrobatic finishes under the rim, and dunks is just mind-boggling. While Edwards is evolving every season, many have already termed him as the Michael Jordan of this generation.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch talks about the next step for Anthony Edwards

Edwards has just finished playing for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, where Germany eliminated his team in the Semifinals. With FIBA coming to an end, teams are ready to start their training camp on 27 September, and Anthony Edwards will also be looking forward to the new NBA season. 

When Redick asked about the next step for Edwards, Finch said that the young star player needs to improve his ability to draw fouls on the floor. While Finch is satisfied with the physical part of Ant’s game, he wants him to be better at the cerebral part of the game. 

“This isn’t necessarily a step in evolution, but it is a significant one for me. He’s got to get better at foul drawing. I’d put that in the context of: ‘How do you control the whole game when the ball is in your hands?’ He has the ability to get to a lot of different shots, some of them are better than others, but he’s got to get better at manipulating the floor, reading the floor, understanding coming maybe in advance…I think that’s the cerebral part of the game and he’s learning that.”

The 22-year-old star player had an excellent regular season individually for the Timberwolves. Edwards averaged 24.6 points per game, shooting 45.9% from the floor. ANT also shot 36.9% from the three-point line while grabbing over five rebounds per game.

Patrick Beverley says Edwards could change basketball like Michael Jordan

Patrick Beverley, who played alongside Edwards during the 2021-22 season, recently said that the former could have a Jordan-kind of impact on basketball. Alluding to his former teammate’s playoff numbers at 21 years old, Beverley said that Anthony’s numbers align with former greats, including Jordan. Beverley also said that Edwards’ personality has a lot of similarities with the Chicago Bulls legend. Beverley compared Edwards to Jordan saying this;

“I think his numbers in the playoffs compare to Mike’s, and a lot of the top greats that have played in the playoffs at 21 or 22 years old. With that personality, he [Anthony Edwards] could change the world of basketball!”

There is no second thought about Edwards’ talent on the basketball floor. He has also shown his mental strength and second-to-none attitude during the FIBA World Cup. Timberwolves are entering this season with very high hopes, and they would expect their young star to carry the heavy load.