After eliminating the Nuggets, Anthony Edwards talked a lot and laughed a lot. That’s his character, and that’s what’s attractive about him. The Wolves full-back is the first to admit when he is wrong and when he is bad, but also the first to set challenges and challenge his opponents. Like challenging Kyrie Irving, or throwing this at Mike Conley after a third defeat in three games against the Mavericks: “It’s time to make history!” I still don't see how they can beat us. We didn't all have this click at the same time. It only takes one match. Only one match. »
Yes, Anthony Edwards is like that: he wants to be at the head of the first team to win a series after being down 3-0. It's happened 154 times in playoff history, and no team has managed it.
At 22, “Ant” wants to skip ahead, but this is only the fifth series of his career, while Kyrie Irving already has an NBA title and three Finals under his belt. For Luka Doncic, this is already the second conference final. At 22, Michael Jordan only had one (lost) playoff series to his credit. At the same age, LeBron James took the Cavaliers to the final, but he was swept by the Spurs.
Learn from defeat
For Rudy Gobert, the best possible comparison leads to Dwyane Wade, NBA champion and Finals MVP in 2006. At… 24 years old certainly, but he was in only his third season, at the head of a group of veterans.
“Ant is 22, and Dwayne Wade won a title at that age”, explains Rudy Gobert. “Wade was the leader, but he was surrounded by other veterans who helped him grow. That's the impression our team gives me. Ant is not yet in his prime, but he is already capable of leading a team to the title. For him, it's about learning every day, being willing to learn and grow, and that's what he did. Sometimes the pain of defeat is the best lesson, but I think we've already had our share. I think we've had enough and now we have to win.”
For Chris Finch, same speech. Anthony Edwards must learn to lose and overcome obstacles, like the clumsiness and defensive pressure imposed by the Mavericks. All the greatest have been there.
“Of course, Edwards is learning”concludes the coach. “He’s 22 years old, he’s in the Western Conference final. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders and we expect a lot from him. But yes, that's how it is… It's a lesson for him, but we also have to try to win matches. »
