Over the previous few days, there was an necessary dialogue surrounding Charles Barkley’s criticism of Anthony Edwards.
The retired legend and present NBA on TNT analyst not too long ago claimed that Edwards’ sport appeared to have “regressed” and that this season the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrity wasn’t as energetic as he was final 12 months. He identified that it was not the purpose.
Present NBA star Draymond Inexperienced begged to disagree with Barkley’s perception that Edwards’ efficiency is declining.
On a current episode of The Draymond Inexperienced Present with Baron Davis, the Golden State Warriors star even claimed that Edwards has taken a leap ahead and grown as an general participant this 2024-25 season.
“I do not assume Anthony Edwards has regressed,” Inexperienced mentioned. “I do not assume Anthony Edwards has performed the way in which we anticipated him to along with his starvation and tenacity after going to the Western Convention Finals. I do not assume he did that. However regression?
“He is really gotten higher as a participant and his bounce shot is lots higher, so I would not say he is regressed. I do not assume that is the appropriate phrase.
“It is a large deal to take away a participant like KAT (Karl-Anthony Cities), and it takes time to determine a transfer like that. It would take a while to determine it out.”
Trying on the stat sheet, Edwards at the moment has the identical numbers he tallied final 12 months within the 2023-24 season. He has performed in 37 video games, averaging 25.7 factors, 5.7 boards, 4.1 assists and capturing 44.1 % from the sphere in 36.4 minutes.
If there’s an attention-grabbing spike in Edwards’ numbers, it must be his 3-point capturing. The Timberwolves sensation had essentially the most makes an attempt of his profession (10.0) whereas posting a career-high try share from past the arc (42.7%). That is considerably increased than the 6.7 makes an attempt he recorded simply final 12 months.
This may occasionally clarify the deep criticism of Edwards’ elevated reliance on 3-pointers. In different phrases, you might merely acknowledge that the 23-year-old has improved as a shooter.
Nonetheless, the actual fact stays that Inexperienced recommended that Edwards continues to be a big-time participant and may solely obtain enough protection on the defensive aspect of the ball. And having performed in opposition to him thrice already this common season, the Warriors veteran can attest that Edwards has regarded sharper.
“He’ll get double-teamed, you may’t cease him one-on-one. So it may occur, and he ought to count on it to occur extra,” Inexperienced mentioned of Edwards. “His coaches should discover a method to nullify these double groups.
“I performed in opposition to Anthony Edwards this 12 months and I can let you know he hasn’t regressed one bit.”
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