Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards is an All-Star, and it’s time to recognize that
Anthony Edwards is having a career year and should make his first All-Star Game. However, the national media isn’t giving him the recognition he deserves, and it’s time to end that narrative and send the young budding star to Salt Lake City.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are not having the season they had hoped for when they traded for Rudy Gobert. All is not lost; the Wolves are only a game out of fourth place in the Western Conference.
Record, stats and games played matter when it comes to All-Star voting. Edwards is listed as a guard, which means he will have to beat out the likes of Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Steph Curry and Luka Dončić were voted as the West All-Star starters. There can only be two guards and three frontcourt reserves, and then the final two spots will go to whoever in the wildcard spots.
The other two guards will likely go to Ja Morant and Gilgous-Alexander. That leaves Edwards with just the two wildcard spots.
Let’s take a look at what it could/should be:
Starters:
- Guards: Curry, Dončić
- Frontcourt: LeBron James, Zion Williamson, Nikola Jokić
Reserves:
- Guards: Morant, Gilgeous-Alexander
- Frontcourt: Lauri Markkanen, Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis
Wildcard:
- Edwards, Lillard
That leaves Devin Booker, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Fox off the list.
I don’t think Davis should be an All-Star because of games missed, but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t get voted in.
Here’s why Edwards deserves to make it over the rest of the field:
The most notable exclusion from this list is Fox. The Sacramento Kings are 27-20 and are the third seed in the West. They’ve been good, but have they been good enough to warrant two All-Stars? Probably not.
This season Fox is averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds. He’s been shooting the ball a lot better and has taken that step forward that many anticipated a few years ago.
Edwards this season is averaging 24.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. His stats are better than Fox, plus he’s put the Wolves on his back since Karl-Anthony Towns has gone out with an injury.
We expected a third-year leap, and Edwards has answered the call. He’s been playing well on both sides of the ball, but his off-ball defense could use some improvement. Nonetheless, Edwards has stepped up in big moments and has kept the Wolves afloat.
Over the last 10 games, Edwards is averaging 28.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 40.5 from 3.
Edwards is averaging 25.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists since KAT went down. The Timberwolves are 16-14 in that stretch and 10-4 in January.
The Timberwolves have a talented roster, even without Towns, but they would be out of the play in if it wasn’t for Edwards. He’s carrying this team when they need him most and during a time when it’s easy to take plays off.
It’s the middle of the season, and Edwards has been dealing with a hip injury, but he’s played in every single game. If missing time matters for awards like MVP, DPOY, etc., then why doesn’t it matter for the All-Star game:
Games played:
- Edwards: 51/51
- Fox: 44/47
- George: 35/51
- Booker: 29/50
- Leonard: 26/51
There’s no argument for George, Booker and Leonard to make the ASG. They’ve missed almost half of their games, and the greatest ability is availability. Edwards is fighting through pain and playing every night.
Edwards is carrying this team every single night and playing at an elite level. He’s still 21 years old, and it’s scary to think what he’ll look like when he’s 25. The sky’s the limit, but it’s time for the national media to pay attention and recognize Edwards as an All-Star.
With the coverage he’s receiving, you’d never know he was a former No. 1 overall pick. I guess that’s what happens when you play in Minnesota.
