Will the 2023/24 season be that ofAnthony Edwards ? The Wolves fullback continues to impress after getting off to a flying start a few months after taking over with Team USA during the last World Cup.
Already this summer, Paul George had highlighted the more than positive evolution of “Ant-man”, particularly in terms of leadership. A month after the start of the regular season, PG13 gave it another shot, believing that the former Georgia resident could already be called a superstar. For him, the term superstar comes down to five points: charisma, determination, not being afraid to fail, work ethic and consistency. “ This is what separates the stars from the superstars” , he added. And from his point of view, Anthony Edwards ticks all the boxes.
“He reached this milestone, he went to the next level. He’s a superstar. We can legitimately put him in the superstar category now. He is doing it, he assures”, he said in podcastalso placing Tyrese Haliburton on the same level as one of the leading faces of the new generation.
An impact on both sides of the field
As expected, Anthony Edwards began the regular season building on the momentum of his World Cup campaign. For the first time in his career, he averaged more than 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, all with his best career percentages. This is also what Paul George likes, to see him getting so involved and not just in scoring. “What I also like about him is that he wants to defend against the best player opposite, but also be the number 1 option in attack”he summarized.
In its wake, Minnesota made a very good start to the season, marked in particular by successes over Denver, defending champion, Boston, and Golden State, beaten twice in a row at the Chase Center. It is also through these matches that we gauge the level of a superstar, and as for Anthony Edwards, Paul George was confirmed in his choice after seeing the meeting between the Wolves and the Celtics.
“I loved watching him in the Celtics game. Jayson Tatum asked for the ball to play the one-on-one against Edwards. Anthony Edwards made a defensive stop, stole the ball and scored on the other side of the floor. His comment that followed was something like: ‘I don’t know why he asked to play me, I love defending.’ This will is determination for victory, it is one of the characteristics (of a superstar). He did everything there. (…). I think it’s another level of confidence.”finally concluded the Californian winger.
| 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 | 13 | 35 | 46.4 | 37.2 | 83.8 | 0.9 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 25.8 |
| Total | 236 | 34 | 44.2 | 35.3 | 77.4 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 22.1 | |
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.
