How Will Miami Heat Contain Rising Superstar Anthony Edwards?
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is one of the most polarizing young stars in the league.
The push for him to become one of the faces once Lebron hangs it up is clear, and now the winning is following.
Edwards is off to a hot start, leading the Timberwolves to first place in the Western Conference. He is averaging 24 points, five rebounds, and five assists, shooting 44.7 percent.
Edwards scored 37 points in their previous game, hitting seven 3-pointers against the Indiana Pacers.
His usage rate is up to 31 percent, tied for sixth in the NBA, the highest of his career.
Edwards isn't known for his three-point shooting, but he isn't scared to put them up. He hits 48.9 percent from the right wing on 45 attempts. He also takes ten pull-up jumpers a game, the fifth-highest in the NBA.
In seven games versus the Miami Heat, Edwards has averaged 22 points, six assists and five rebounds. They have done a decent job defending him. In three of those seven games, he was held under 20 points.
Edwards is consistent, averaging nearly six points per quarter, but he tends to be more aggressive in the third.
The Heat have struggled to defend any scoring guards as of late, but with the return of Bam Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith getting healthier, they should be able to get the issue fixed.
One of the traits that makes Edwards great is his ability and willingness to defend your team's best player.
He takes those star matchups personally, so we should be in for a battle between him and Jimmy Butler.
Devin Brown is a contributing writer to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at dbrwnjr@gmail.com or Twitter @dbrwnjr.
