Anthony Edwards may be experiencing an up-and-coming rookie season, but in a lottery team that can stand the mistakes, the highlights of his first year in the NBA were something to behold. On Friday, he gave us his best highlight yet.
It came with the final seconds that let the third quarter end. With the Timberwolves leading 61-58 over the Toronto Raptors, DeAndre Bembry stumbled when Edwards caught a pass on the wing. With a clear runway to the basket, Edwards attacks, takes to the air, meets Yuta Watanabe at the edge, and, well … it happened.
This is what happens when you combine an athlete who deserves an overall number 1 number with a clear path to the ring and a defense that does not have a skin protector. All the ingredients for a poster of all time were in place, and Edwards delivered them.
It was about the only time Edwards delivered in the game when he shot 3-out-14 in a seven-point night off the field. He had very similar evenings because he shot less than 35 percent from the field in his first 16 games. He apparently corrected the ship with an average score of 20 points per game during his last six games, but nights like these are inevitable among rookies. Rarely do they contribute to the win.
A positive rookie year is usually one that contains flashes of greatness. It was one of them. Edwards is a rare athlete and scorer, and every now and then it will yield such moments.