Anthony Edwards is embracing the challenge of beating defenses entirely focused on stopping him.
It seemed like the Minnesota Timberwolves had things all figured out heading into Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. Anthony Edwards and company were entering the festivities riding a season-long five-game win streak, with Edwards playing to a level that’s made him a necessary inclusion on MVP ladders.
Edwards was every bit of himself on Monday, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome a well-rounded effort from a Phoenix Suns team that was without its own star player in Devin Booker. Edwards finished with 40 points on 15-of-21 shooting, grabbing nine rebounds in the loss.
“Everything felt good, besides losing,” Edwards said. “They were guarding me. They weren't just doubling everywhere I went. So, they let me play a little bit and I was able to get off, but it didn't work in my favor because we didn't win.”
A big reason why the Timberwolves weren’t able to pull away in the second half was due to the fact that they lost Rudy Gobert for an extended period of time in the second. Following the game, Edwards emphasized why Gobert’s presence is so important for the team.
“We were missing our defensive presence down there,” Edwards said. “So, it was tough. I think we guarded, but they made a bunch of tough shots. You can't make up for Rudy's absence. When he's in the game, it's kind of like they don't want to go down there and finish. He's truly missed when he's not on the court.”
Main Focus
There are few players, if any, in the league who receive as much defensive attention as Edwards does on a nightly basis. Teams frequently throw double teams at him and try and force him strictly to his right side, but Edwards enjoys the challenge of the chess match within the game. And better yet, it polishes his game for when it matters most.
“It's fun, man,” Edwards said. “Of course, it's all getting me ready for the playoffs.
We've got to make it to the playoffs first, but it's all getting me ready for the postseason.
They’re sending me right all night. Just trapping out of nowhere, just all type of coverages that I've never seen, that we've probably never seen people do all the time. Just watching film, breaking down film with (coach Chris) Hines. He sent me clips at 2, 3 in the morning like, hey, we've got to get better at this.”