Anthony Edwards playing on a global stage for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup has served notice to the NBA that the 22-year-old Timberwolves star has reached a new level.
“He’s unquestionably the guy,” Team USA coach Steve Kerr said after Edwards scored 34 points to lead the U.S. over Germany on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “You can see he knows it. But now the team knows it, and I think the fans see it. … He genuinely believes he’s the best player in the gym every single night. And he’s such a dynamic young player. I think he’s taking a leap.”
Anthony Edwards did everything he could to put his country on his back today.
A special highlight reel from his 34-point performance in a 99-91 USA victory over Germany:pic.twitter.com/RZn69b1qxt
— Canis Hoopus (@canishoopus) August 20, 2023
It’s not just Kerr who sees greatness in Edwards. Kevin Garnett has also noticed something different and exciting about Edwards.
“He looks different. You know how in the summer time you don’t see nobody for like two months and then all of a sudden see somebody and you’re like ‘that motherf***** looks good,” he said. “That’s how Anthony Edwards looks to me. Ant Man, he just looks super motivated, bro.”
Let me clarify what I said yesterday for the ones that didn’t hear me. @theantedwards_ about to be in that conversation for the top dog! He looking DIFFERENT, am I trippin? pic.twitter.com/454SvaCNjy
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) August 21, 2023
“Anthony Edwards will be an MVP candidate this year,” tweeted Tim Reynolds, the Associated Press reporter who actually has an MVP vote.
Bill Simmons, in the midst of his talk about the idea of trading Damian Lillard for Karl-Anthony Towns, called Edwards a guy “who’s clearly going to be one of the best five or six guys in the league.”
That would put Edwards on a level with the likes of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Devin Booker.
Stephen A. Smith questioned Edwards’s jump shot but said that “if he develops a consistent jump shot” he’s “going to be a superstar in this game” and that he’ll become one of the faces of the NBA.
"If he develops a consistent jump shot, Anthony Edwards is going to be a superstar in this game. He is the future of the Minnesota Timberwolves and one of the pivotal nuggets in the future for the NBA… He believes in showing up."
—Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/1a7XPo6ZPH
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 21, 2023
Edwards and Team USA have completed the exhibition portion of the FIBA tournament and now it’s on to the real games when they face New Zealand on Saturday, Aug. 26. The game tips off at 7:40 a.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN2 or ESPN+.
