Clumsy, Anthony Edwards lets his defense speak | NBA

If D’Angelo Russell was obviously the hero of the Wolves against the Grizzlies, thanks to his 23 points scored in the fourth quarter, we must not forget that one of his teammates was also decisive last night : Anthony Edwards.

And, once is not custom, it is in a defensive pit bull role that the first choice of the 2020 Draft exclusively distinguished himself, this Thursday evening. Along with Patrick Beverley, he thus allowed his team to limit Ja Morant, the elusive All-Star point guard from Memphis, to 20 points and only 7/25 on shots (including 0/4 at 3-pts)!

An impressive performance defensively to say the least, when we know that the Rookie of the Year 2020 has averaged 32.1 points and 52% on shots in his last 10 games.

” I already told you that my defense was really good“, reminded the young player from Minneapolis, very physical with his vis-à-vis. ” I can defend anyone one-on-one. And I’ll bet on me every time [pour gagner le face-à-face, ndlr].“

Ja Morant throated and choked

The symbol of this domination of Anthony Edwards over Ja Morant in one-on-one, is this final action, in the last ten seconds of the game, where the Grizzlies point guard was forced to send an “air- ball” due to “Ant-Man’s” suffocating defense. And while he had the opportunity to equalize at 117-117…

” He has been good in defense on the man since the start of the season, he always takes up the challenge offered to him. “, Estimated the coach of Minnesota, Chris Finch, in reference to the defensive performance of his rear. ” There he came out [Ja] Morant from his pace and it took him a long time to actually get into his game. In addition, he finished strong with his big ‘stop’ at the very end. He didn’t want to let him go where he wanted.“

This last decisive action in defense, signed Anthony Edwards, could only leave a pleasant taste in the mouth of the main interested party, since he explains that he loves to make the difference in this area, in hot moments. As against Philadelphiaand Joel Embiid, last November…

” I always say I’d rather block for the win than shoot for the win.“, added the former resident of the University of Georgia. ” I take pride in it. I have the feeling that everyone can make a winning shot, but not everyone can make a winning block.“

Overcoming clumsiness

Anyway, to allow the Minneapolis franchise to win, Anthony Edwards had to contribute other than with his scoring: 5 points, 1/11 on shots, including 0/6 at 3-pts… For the third time in a row, he was also limited to less than 10 points, posting only 6.7 points on average, 14% on shots and 6% from 3-pts, over his last three outings…

Except that, this time, although clumsy as possible, the back of Wolves still managed to weigh on this meeting, defensively. In addition to shining at creation: 7 assists.

” I still think every shot I take is gonna fall in “, he said, about his crisis of address in attack. ” I never lose confidence in myself and in my shoot. But, when my shots don’t come in, I make sure to involve my teammates more.“

Especially since, as D’Angelo Russell said so well in a press conference, Anthony Edwards ” must be prepared “from now on, because the opposing defenses” will focus on him ” more often. If that’s not already the case, as proven by his last three games and given his status as Wolves’ second attacking option, at just 20 years old.