Immediately after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ loss at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards made a bold statement. “Nobody’s going to work harder than me this summer,” he declared. Edwards’ mindset has drawn praise from fans and players alike. Dwyane Wade, however, responded in a more measured manner, dealing in specifics.
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Edwards, 23, showed flashes of superstardom all season long, averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He had his big moments in the playoffs, too. And despite falling short, he took the loss on the chin, saying, “I don’t know why people would think it would hurt, it’s exciting for me. I’m 23. I get to do it a whole bunch of times… We’ll try again next year.”
Wade, while impressed by Edwards’ drive, had some specific advice for him. On an episode of Time Out, he talked about the shooting guard’s offseason goals.
The Heat legend knows that Ant has the hunger and has a lot of time to prove it. However, Wade still wants to know what the Wolves star is working on to improve himself. He emphasized that it’s time for Edwards to refine his craft, not just rely on natural talent.
Wade pointed out that being athletic and confident is a great foundation, but in the playoffs, that alone won’t be enough. “Ant is going to have to go in the lab this summer, and it’s not just high pick and roll work. Ant’s gonna have to learn how to score all over the floor,” he said.
D-Wade listed a number of areas where Edwards can elevate his game. One of them was post-work, something Wade himself banked on throughout his career. He also highlighted catch-and-shoot situations, screening, and an overall improvement in scoring versatility.
Ant, being young as he is, has all the energy in the world. However, Wade is concerned that if the guard is not managed well, he could land in trouble.
“Leaving that young man out there at half court to come off those pick and rolls, taking those long a** strides, you’re gonna wear him down,” added Wade, reiterating that it’s the coach’s job to make sure things don’t get out of control.
Wade is one of the few who understands the importance of making adjustments to one’s game. Back in his days, he also had to do it. Wade is also probably best suited to advise Ant, given how similar their playing styles are.
Before his knee injuries, Wade was a high-flying shooting guard, a lot like Ant. The only thing the Wolves guard has over him is a better three-point shot.
The Wolves have been to the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years. It’s a rare feat and is worth celebrating.
However, if they wish to get over the hump and have a real shot at the NBA title, they need to make some adjustments, especially with Ant’s game.
