If you’re counting down the days and hours, welcome to the Playoffs fever club! But hang tight, just a bit longer. Come Saturday, the LA Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. A full-blown seven-game showdown is on the horizon, packed with drama and grit. Sure, Anthony Edwards won’t be easy to contain. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is making his return, just not where you’d expect. And now? Rui Hachimura has sounded the alarm.
The 27-year-old Japanese power forward has been dealing with patellar tendinopathy. He has admitted that his knee condition won’t heal fully until the offseason. However, “My knee’s getting better. I can jump now and all that. So I just got to manage it. Right now, we don’t have a back-to-back anymore,” Hachimura told the media. So, the breaks in between the playoff games would give him time to heal and recover. Meanwhile, he has voiced his concerns about Anthony Edwards. Well, can you truly blame him for doing so?
“We watch him. I watch him. Olympics, people, and all that. You know, this couple of years, I think his confidence is very high. You know, he played with these guys,” Hachimura said of Anthony Edwards. Well, despite 17 technical fouls and suspensions, and fines, Ant is one of the most-feared players on the court. Why? “He’s been so aggressive. Especially the three points — he was number one this year. He’s going to be so aggressive with that. But also, he can drive. He can put on the rim and everything,” the Lakers star admitted.
Nov 7, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Edwards has a 39.5 FG3% this year and a 44.7 FG%, which surely portrays a picture that should add to LA’s concerns. Although stats don’t come close to the force that the 23-year-old guard brings on the court. He’s the hard-to-curb power. But if Hachimura and Co. are aiming for the stars, they need to know how to stop this madhouse. “So we got to, you know, as a team, focus on him, of course. We just got to guard him as a team,” Rui admitted. At the same time, the Los Angeles Lakers have a greater advantage in the form of Luka Doncic this time.
Do you remember the time when the Slovenian star won the Western Conference Finals last season with the Mavericks? Who were their ops? Of course, the Minnesota Timberwolves. So, the team will entrust a lot of responsibility to the 26-year-old. “We have enough guys who have experience. I’m just so excited about this whole thing; we’ve got to trust in each other. We’ve got to believe in each other. We care for each other, and we’re going to get this,” Hachimura shared his confidence.
But there is something that the Lakers should be wary of. And that is Ant-Man’s close relationship with the Baby-Faced Assassin, Stephen Curry. The lessons he learned from the 37-year-old legend could come in handy against LA in the Playoffs. And if that happens, oh boy!
Anthony Edwards learned important basketball lessons from Stephen Curry
2024 was the golden year for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Fifth consecutive gold, Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry‘s debut, and LeBron James and KD’s return to the Olympic court. Interestingly enough, Ant went against his teammate Rudy Gobert in the finals when the USA met France at the Accor Arena. Of course, Steph stepped up with a historic 24-point game that brought the fifth goldware home.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards soaked up wisdom from Steph Curry during his Team USA stint at the Paris Olympics. At Media Day in 2024, he couldn’t help but share the glow-up. “The best thing I learned was from Steph,” Edwards said. “I took [LeBron’s] pregame routine, but Steph, just playing without the ball… The last few days we’ve been playing 5-on-5, I just be cutting, getting out of the way, and I get easy shots. So, I think I learned the most from Steph.”
Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; United States shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrate after defeating France in the men’s basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
In year 5, Ant has consistently channeled his inner Stephen Curry energy. With Minnesota’s offense in his hands, the 23-year-old is unstoppable. And this is something that the Lakers have to watch out for before it’s too late. Surely, JJ Redick is making his strategic brain work overtime, but it’s Anthony Edwards we’re talking about!
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