PHOENIX — Contemporary off, arguably, an important efficiency of his younger profession, Anthony Edwards sat in entrance of the world with a white tank high and an all-black Atlanta Braves fitted cap that sat free, hovering simply above his crisp hairline — making him look extra like an additional in Outkast’s “Participant’s Ball” video than the longer term face of the NBA.
Edwards is who he’s. Foolish. Lovable. Clever. Nation. He wears all of it, loudly and proudly. He’s additionally a competitor. A trash-talker. He wears all of these issues simply as loud, simply as proud.
You add all of that up and you’ve got a star. You add all of these issues up plus a 40-point efficiency in a playoff-sweeping 122-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night time, and also you begin to enter superstardom.
But, Edwards, for one motive or one other, is afraid to go there. For as trustworthy, brash and assured as he’s and may be, there lives a bashfulness contained in the 22-year-old relating to speaking about his stature inside the sport’s most prestigious membership.
A 12 months in the past, earlier than a first-round loss to the eventual-champion Denver Nuggets, Edwards stated he couldn’t contemplate himself a younger star till he “wins within the playoffs.”
A 12 months later, he did it. Edwards not solely received within the playoffs, however he was the alpha in a sequence that featured the likes of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, his all-time favourite participant. Edwards led his group to heights it hadn’t seen in 20 years, the second spherical of the NBA playoffs. He did it with rim-twisting dunks. He did it with a candy capturing stroke. He did it with gnaw-your-arm-off protection. He did it with management. He did it with WWE “Suck It!” extracurriculars. He did it whereas giving an earful to the participant he has seemed as much as since he was 5.
These are the issues that make stars. That is what stardom seems like.
“Nah, not but, man,” Edwards stated Sunday after reaching the benchmark he positioned on himself a 12 months in the past. “Not but.”
Edwards, unbeknownst to him, misplaced the privilege to resolve what he’s and isn’t on this league.
Kevin Durant congratulates Anthony Edwards after Minnesota swept Phoenix within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs. (Christian Petersen / Getty Pictures)
Once you rating 40 factors in a series-clinching victory — on the street at that — you’re a star. Once you performed 79 regular-season video games and had been the very best participant for a staff that was one recreation wanting having the highest file in your convention, you’re a star. Once you’re considered one of 12 gamers, on the age of twenty-two, picked to symbolize your nation within the Olympics, you’re a star. Once you make everybody snicker each time you’re in entrance of a microphone, order McDonald’s off Uber Eats instantly after a recreation, like he did in Detroit final season, you’re a star.
“He’s the face of the league,” stated teammate Karl-Anthony Cities, who sat subsequent to Edwards as his reserved facet took middle stage when speaking about his standing within the NBA. “He hates once I say it, however it’s true. Like I stated, ‘Future so brilliant, received to place the sun shades on.’ ”
Common gamers don’t resolve to dominate after they have an opportunity to finish their opponent for good. They don’t have that capacity. Stars shoot 11 of 15 from the ground for 31 factors within the second half when their staff is trailing at halftime like Edwards did on Sunday. Stars muster up their final little bit of power late within the fourth quarter to throw down a “Evening, night time!” dunk — like he did with simply over two minutes to play when he crossed up Bradley Beal on the wing, took a collect dribble, launched from outdoors of the paint and compelled his childhood hero out of the best way as he punished the rim prefer it hit his sister.
Stars get on their different star teammate amid all of the chaos after they do one thing fallacious like Edwards did when Cities dedicated one other pointless foul with the sport within the steadiness.
Edwards can’t run from it anymore. Regardless of how exhausting he tries. If he doesn’t need to be a star, then cease taking part in like one.
“He rises to the event,” Wolves ahead Kyle Anderson instructed The Athletic.
Stars additionally make their teammates higher. That’s the purpose of getting a star. The gravity of 1 individual makes the existence of others extra significant.
Edwards picked aside the Suns’ protection as a playmaker. The 40 factors will make the headlines, however he additionally had six assists with solely two turnovers in 41 minutes of play. He ought to have had 10-plus assists, however the Wolves couldn’t purchase a bucket within the recreation’s first 24 minutes.
There have been indicators all through the season, however it was this sequence the place Edwards blossomed as a creator for others. There have been occasions early on in his profession when it felt like he handed as a result of he needed to. There was nowhere else for him to go.
Because the season went on, and this playoff sequence performed out, Edwards was welcoming blitzes in order that he might create benefits to make the move to an open man, in order that he might get his teammates concerned within the circulation of the sport, in order that this Timberwolves staff might doubtlessly do one thing just one staff earlier than has completed within the franchise’s 35-year historical past.
However, yeah, Edwards just isn’t a star.
“He is an effective individual,” stated Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori, who crammed in for coach Chris Finch after a collision on the sideline within the fourth quarter left him with a severe leg damage. “And what I imply by that’s, they belief him. He’s received some self-humor. You’ve seen all of his interviews. He’s the primary one to congratulate and transfer all of his glory over to his teammates. All of them love him.
“When he performs, makes the suitable play, they usually know he cares, not solely about himself however the staff, he’s executed job of stepping up in that regard.”
Edwards can hold working from the label all he needs, but when he doesn’t need to embrace it out of concern of being content material, then it is going to by no means go away. His mindset is right. His intentions are good. Nevertheless it’s not possible for anybody with two eyes and a pinch of sense to not see a star after they have a look at Edwards.
From this level on, there’s no level in even asking Edwards about it. He has spoken — together with his play and his character. He by no means must say it out loud. We’ll all hold saying it for him.
“He’s my favourite participant to look at,” Durant stated of his star pupil after Sunday’s recreation. “He’s simply grown a lot since coming within the league. At 22, his love for the sport shines so brilliant. That’s one of many explanation why I like him probably the most as a result of he simply loves basketball and is grateful to be on this place.
“He’s going to be somebody I observe for the remainder of his profession.”
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(Prime photograph: Ross D. Franklin / Related Press)
