The Minnesota Timberwolves made headlines recently when they decided to trade Karl-Anthony Towns, parting ways with his $220 million contract. This move was aimed at shifting more of the offensive load onto rising star Anthony Edwards. However, the transition has not gone as smoothly as the team had hoped.
In their latest game, the Timberwolves faced off against the Boston Celtics and lost by a narrow margin, 118-115. This defeat brought their season record to 17-16, a stark contrast to last year’s impressive 56-26 performance that saw them reach the Western Conference finals. Edwards, who was expected to thrive under these new conditions, struggled during the game, managing to score only 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting. He also contributed six assists but turned the ball over twice.
After the game, Edwards addressed the challenges he has been facing, particularly with the defensive strategies aimed at him. In his discussion with reporters, he expressed frustration over being double-teamed, saying he prefers not to play a style that requires him to frequently pass out of such situations. “That’s a good brand of basketball, but it’s not how I want to play, of course. I’m only 23; I don’t want to just be passing the ball all night,” he commented, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining his game under constant pressure.
Edwards also described how tough it is to stay engaged while facing double teams. His feelings were evident when he said, “Them doubling me, definitely it’s like, ‘Bro, what is going on?’ I’m trying to figure it out. I don’t know what to do honestly, but it’s not fun.” His comments reflect a player who feels hindered by his current situation, eager to showcase his skills but stifled by the defense. “It’s definitely frustrating to see these guys cooking us and I can’t cook them,” he added.
Such candid remarks from the young talent, who is seen as the cornerstone of the Timberwolves’ future, are concerning. His openness about the challenges posed by double-teams may prompt rival teams to continue focusing their defenses on him. It’s likely they interpret his words as a cue to keep up the pressure—if it’s working, why change strategy?
Despite these hurdles, it’s important to note that Edwards’s overall performance this season has been similar to last year, even though he’s recently seen a dip in his shooting efficiency, hitting just 39.3% from the field over the past two weeks and averaging about 18.9 points per game, which isn’t quite what fans or the team expected.
Dealing with double teams is a common challenge for young players in the NBA, especially those aspiring to become stars. It’s almost a rite of passage, forcing players to adapt and evolve into more complete offensive threats. Learning to score through double teams or finding ways to capitalize on the open man when the defenses collapse is crucial for a player like Edwards. However, his reluctance to embrace the latter approach raises questions about his current readiness to evolve as a player.
The Timberwolves and Edwards still have plenty of time to rectify this situation and find a balance that allows him to excel. The next opportunity to make strides will be on the road against the Detroit Pistons, a game that could serve as a turning point in their season.
As the Timberwolves navigate this transitional phase without Towns, much rests on how effectively Edwards can adapt to the increased defensive scrutiny. Fans will be watching closely, hoping to see their young star rise to the occasion and steer the team back toward its winning ways. Only time will tell how this journey unfolds.
