The first round of the NBA Playoffs saw Anthony Edwards emerge as one of the main stars. The young guard was instrumental in helping his team defeat the Los Angeles Lakers and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the third time in franchise history. Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving shared his thoughts on Edwards’ performance.
“There was one play that I saw particularly,” Irving began, speaking on Game Within The Game while analyzing Anthony’s moves against the Lakers. “Ant got to the elbow, headfaked, stepped over one step over, and then shot like a floater, but it was really… his upper body was squared at the rim as if it was a jumper, but his legs were saying, ‘I’m jumping off the wrong leg.’”
Kyrie considered that display of skill to be a testament to Edwards’ development and his continuous work to improve his game. “When you shoot that type of shot in that situation, that’s how I know you’ve studied the craft,” said the 33-year-old guard.
However, the Dallas Mavericks star emphasized there was more to it: a message to the NBA. “Also, you’ve invited your peers to know, ‘I’m the truth too,’” Irving added. “That’s just one of those, ‘You’re not gonna get me caught up in a fumble.’ Like, ‘I’m the truth,’ that type of killer mentality.”
Kyrie Irving praised Anthony Edwards
Paul Pierce also praises Anthony Edwards
In addition to Kyrie Irving, Anthony Edwards received praise from NBA legend Paul Pierce. The 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics spoke about a key advantage Edwards had in his matchup against LeBron James. “This game was lost in the summer,” Pierce said of the Lakers’ elimination.
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LeBron James’ first message to Anthony Edwards after Lakers’ Game 5 loss to Timberwolves
“Ant-Man went to the Olympics. He got up under KD (Kevin Durant), he got up under LeBron. He studied them; he not only studied their work habits, but he studied their personality. So now if I gotta see y’all, I know how to attack y’all,” explained Pierce on Speak.
Putting himself in Edwards’ shoes, Pierce continued: “I see the mental aspect of the game. I see how LeBron works, I admire that. I see how KD works, I see how Steph works,” he said. “Why do you think he got comfortable enough to get in the game and just shove LeBron like that? ‘I got comfortable with them.’ This game was won in the summer time. Learning their tendencies, learning their personalities—come playoffs, I know what I need to do.”
Edwards’ status in the NBA
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Los Angeles Lakers put a spotlight on Anthony Edwards, sparking once again the conversation about the face of the NBA. However, former Chicago Bulls player Jay Williams offered a eye-opening perspective.
“All I wanna say is, how many times has Jayson Tatum been to the Eastern Conference Finals? How many times has Jayson Tatum been to the NBA Finals? Brother could win multiple championships, and we’re just going to give it to Ant? Because he has a personality?” Williams asked on First Take.
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