Okay, forget everything else for a minute—Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals? This is the Anthony Edwards show, period. The Timberwolves, with their backs against the wall, down 0-2 to OKC, exploded on their home court. And yeah, the scoreboard’s looking good for Minnesota, but the real story, the thing that’s got everyone talking and the announcers practically jumping out of their seats, is Ant.
We all remember Ant talking earlier this year, right? Getting so frustrated with all the double teams. ESPN’s Mark Jones even said Ant hit up Michael Jordan a few weeks back, asking for tips on how to deal with defenses trying to smother him. Well, whatever wisdom MJ dropped, or whatever clicked for the 23-year-old, it’s on full display tonight. He’s not forcing stuff against those doubles anymore. He’s taking what the defense gives him, using their aggression against them, and—get this—he’s making the smart play, the winning play. This is new for Ant!
One of the guys on the broadcast was all over it. “Make the right pass!” he was yelling, just as Ant was working in the post. “That’s why I wanted him to go into that post… because now when they double team, it’s easy for you to kick out and make a play.” And what happens? McDaniels gets a wide-open look for three. Easy money. That’s not just a nice assist, that’s Ant understanding his power and using it to make everyone around him better. Another announcer pointed out that the post is exactly where Ant can pick apart those double teams he hates so much.
Another analyst on the broadcast astutely pointed out, “He is, and he’s so young… But you look at the evolution of great scorers—Kawhi Leonard, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan—they all learn how to dominate that elbow and that logo spot.” Seriously, let that sink in.
(This is a developing story…)
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