So aggressive and capable of making big differences against the Nuggets, Anthony Edwards is a long way from showing this face in the conference final against the Mavericks. After two matches, he only averaged 20 points. Above all, he is clumsy, with a small 33% shooting success rate and his selection raises questions.
While, against Phoenix and Denver, he took one shot in three from behind the arc overall, against Dallas, he used and abused this weapon, with 9.5 shots per game at this distance (out of 16.5, or 57% of shots taken ). Without being too clumsy (37%), the back is not untouchable at the moment at 3-pts either.
Why does he lean so much this way? Why can't it penetrate? “There is a crowd in front of me, little space. And I turn down a lot of shots, like mid-range ones. I refuse a lot of it », concedes the All-Star.
Anthony Edwards must therefore find a way to break the Mavericks' lock. A path to follow for his coach: go faster. “I think he needs to make his decisions more quickly”says Chris Finch. “Kyrie Irving is a great example. As soon as he has the ball, he tries to break the defensive pressure by going quickly. »
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A good way to do this would be to play up the transitions more. Anthony Edwards did it at the start of Game 2, but without continuing afterwards. “He came out of the match little by little. He went to free throws a few times but could have gone more. We need it “continues the Minnesota coach, who also confirms that his player has “refused open fire as well”.
In addition, for this second round, with 18 points, Mike Conley tried to put pressure on the Mavericks defense to free his teammate a little. “I try to relieve him, he has so much to do for us. He must defend, make the play, score. I will probably have to be even more involved and aggressive”announces the leader.
After a series against Denver full of twists and turns and which we had to win by winning the last two matches, including Game 7 away, Anthony Edwards, even at 22 years old, and with the pressure of the event, did not Wouldn't he just be tired? Running out of juice?
He plays a lot and his game, both offensive and defensive, requires a lot of energy. So, maybe the legs are now very, very heavy. “It’s the conference finals. We cannot hide the players. Kyrie Irving does not refuse duels. This is what you have to do if you want to win.”answers Chris Finch.
| 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 | 79 | 35 | 46.1 | 35.7 | 83.6 | 0.7 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 25.9 |
| Total | 302 | 34 | 44.6 | 35.3 | 79.3 | 0.7 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 22.9 | |
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.
