One of the goals of the fourth season in the leagueAnthony Edwards was to succeed in getting more whistles, so as to go to the free throw line more often. Halfway through the season, he has fulfilled this objective for the moment, estimating “ do a pretty good job » since he went from 5.3 to 6.5 attempts per game.
“ Last season it didn't work, but this season I'm getting more fouls when I yell “Hey!” ”, so I am satisfied » book the one who thus has the habit of shouting “ Hey! » when he considers himself the victim of a mistake regarding his penetrations.
His “priority” for the summer
Like any self-respecting great attacker, Anthony Edwards needs to get more fouls, and therefore more free throws, to realize that he has managed to earn the respect of the referees. This hasn't always been the case in the past, but now that he's an All-Star, the future of Team USA and the franchise player of the best team in the West, he begins to see what the famous “treatment of (super)stars” represents.
The result of long-term work, which lasted “ all summer because it was a priority » and which is gradually bearing fruit.
“ Already, the first thing he does is read the game better ” analysis Chris Hinesassistant coach of Wolves daily in contact with “Ant”. “ He sees the spaces and we try to treat it like a running back [en football américain]by identifying the low-man, by reading one-on-one situations or counter-attack situations. [Les défenseurs] Are they scattered, are they grouped together? Whenever he has a one-on-one situation, I tell him to go for it, be aggressive and attack. »
Like a veteran, he sells mistakes better
Above all, Anthony Edwards tried to change the way he entered the circle, in order to push the referees to give him more fouls. A ” veteran technique » as his trainer likes to call him Chris Finchbecause knowing how to sell whistles is an art.
“ He doesn't bring them too close to his body » explains Chris Hines, concerning the arms of the rear of Minnesota. “ Now the referees see [le contact] and he gets more whistles. […] Now they can see the contact that is created on his arms or on his body and he understands that when opponents start to touch him, he can release the pressure. »
It's not always easy to make Anthony Edwards understand, who is not the type to refuse contact but rather to absorb it…
“ I played American football growing up, so the contact doesn't really bother me » slips the person concerned. “ I crash into them, they crash into me. I have the feeling that it's stronger when I push but, now, as soon as I'm touched, I do what everyone else does. »
Become a more productive and efficient player
For Chris Finch, the “ patience » news from Anthony Edwards, or at least his better control of the pace in a match, is also worth highlighting, because it helped him change his approach to the game.
“ If you want to keep getting banged without getting any whistles, then you can keep trying to force pass. Now, if you want to become a productive player and bring our team into the bonus, then you need to understand how to use your contact, your speed and your power wisely, in different ways » reveals in this logic Chris Hines, on the words he was able to say to “Ant”.
The fact remains that Anthony Edwards must still erase certain limits in his game, particularly in terms of his personality, to avoid losing his temper with the refereeing and collecting technical fouls (already six for him this season).
“ The next thing we need to get rid of is his overly demonstrative arm style. » warns Chris Hines. “ You can't scare everyone like that. When a big angry guy is heading [vers l’arbitre]it's a technical fault. »
| Anthony Edwards | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 72 | 32 | 41.7 | 32.9 | 77.6 | 0.8 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 19.3 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 72 | 34 | 44.1 | 35.7 | 78.6 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 21.3 |
| 2022-23 | MIN | 79 | 36 | 45.9 | 36.9 | 75.6 | 0.6 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 4.4 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 24.6 |
| 2023-24 | MIN | 35 | 35 | 45.9 | 38.3 | 84.2 | 0.7 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 25.8 |
| Total | 258 | 34 | 44.3 | 35.6 | 78.4 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 22.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
