Anthony Edwards’ Growth in the NBA
When the Minnesota Timberwolves picked Anthony Edwards first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, he arrived as an incredibly athletic player. But, to be honest, he still had some work to do on his skills. Now, as he gears up for his sixth season, it feels like he’s consistently adding new tricks to his game. Last year was a turning point for him; quite suddenly, he became one of the top three-point shooters in the league. He led the NBA with 320 three-pointers made throughout the season, hitting about 38.5% of his 7.6 attempts per game. It’s impressive, especially considering how well he executed more challenging pull-up threes.
During NBA Media Day on Monday, Edwards mentioned that he had a conversation about post-up training with none other than Michael Jordan. You can only imagine the excitement he must have felt. MJ shared some tips on how to effectively attack from the post.
According to Jordan, Edwards should focus on leaning against the defender with his upper back instead of his backside. In basketball, leverage is crucial, and this technique reportedly helped Jordan gain an edge when he played.
It’s worth noting that Jordan practiced what he preached. Take, for example, his post-up against Dan Majerle during the 1993 NBA Finals.
There’s also Kobe Bryant, who utilized similar techniques in his own post-up plays.
However, Edwards still has a way to go when it comes to his midrange game, which is an essential part of being successful in that area. Last season, he managed only 37.8% on midrange shots, placing him in the 25th percentile of the league, as noted by Dunk and Three. Interestingly, he saw his pull-up three-point percentage drop to 28.7% during the postseason, despite having performed better at 38.5% in the regular season.
For a player like Edwards, developing a strong midrange game is crucial. The midrange shot has turned into a key area for superstars, but it also allows role players to create better spacing on the floor, making it easier to score. Edwards is eager to carry the ball for the Timberwolves all season long, so he’ll need to adapt, especially with teammates like Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle in the frontcourt, which could complicate spacing.
Edwards has often felt a connection to icons like MJ and Kobe. It’s refreshing to see him dedicate time in the summer to refine his skills. Watching how he implements a post-up strategy this season will certainly be interesting. If he continues to improve, maybe a nod to MJ would be warranted.
