“ His future is so bright I have to wear sunglasses! » Karl-Anthony Towns, the glasses in question in hand, has the meaning of the formula when it comes to complimenting Anthony Edwards. Yesterday on the Suns floor, his teammate shined even brighter than the others.
If the Wolves did not miss their first opportunity to close this series, it is largely thanks to their explosive rear. As he said afterwards, the idea was to make the others play in the first half. Then take control of the game in second. “ It's time to win at some point », formulates the one who has experienced a new spectacular offensive eruption.
He scored 31 of his 40 points (13/23 on shots including 7/13 from distance) after the break, with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. With some characteristic brilliant actions, like his dunk at the very end of the game, to definitively kill the Suns. “ They stopped taking two shots at me. It was like, 'You have to beat us.' I showed them, 'You have to take two' », he says with a good dose of confidence.
In this series, the first won by his franchise in twenty years, he only had one worse performance, in Game 2 with his 15 points. For the rest, the double All-Star came close to being grandiose and completed these four games with an average of 31 points (51% including 44% from afar), 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Always behind the KAT
His flights towards the circle and the fluidity of his shot make an impression, as does his attitude. “ We saw him grow, evolve as a leader, as a player, as a man », Lists Rudy Gobert. You just have to take a look at his press conference after this Game 4, in the company of KAT, to be convinced.
A journalist asks the latter the explanation for his best production of the series (28 points and 10 rebounds). Anthony Edwards then speaks: “ This evening, he had no problem with any mistakes! During the first three matches, this bastard kept making mistakes! »
While his teammate laughs, the back questions him: “ What did I tell you last game? » Karl-Anthony Towns then reports: “ 'Can you manage not to make mistakes?' I said, 'Okay, I'll try.' » And Anthony Edwards continued: “ Every time we widen the gap in the 3rd quarter, it's because it's in play, because they don't have the answer to this 'match-up'. »
The Wolves' top scorer, who still asks his partner to stop ” these damn mistakes! “, still considers “KAT” to be the best attacker on the team.
An attitude that fits what assistant coach Micah Nori sees at home on a daily basis: “(His teammates) trust him. He has a sense of humour. You've seen all his interviews. He is the first to congratulate his teammates and pass on all his glory to them. They all love him. »
Kevin Durant will follow him throughout his career
Compliments are pouring in, including from the opposing camp. Frank Vogel sees in him an eminently “ special », when Kevin Durant says he is completely amazed. “ I'm so impressed with Ant. He's my favorite player to watch. He's grown so much since he came into the league “, develops Suns player.
The latter, idol of Anthony Edwards, adds: “ At 22, his love for the game shines brightly. That's one of the reasons I like him the most, because he loves basketball and he's grateful to be in this position. He will be someone I follow until the end of his career. » Promise from Hall of Famer.
A year ago, when facing the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, the guard/winger said not to want to consider himself a young star until he had won in the finals. This is now the case. When asked if he considers himself as such, the two-time All-Star replied: “ Nah, not yet. Not yet. »
Karl-Anthony Towns gives his vision of the phenomenon: “ He's the face of the league. He hates when I say it, but it's true. Like I said, the future is so bright you have to put on the sunglasses. »
| 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.
