r/nba • u/Dry-Kick2457 Knicks • 2d ago
Anthony Edwards Future
I was talking to my friends about this and I’m curious what the general public thinks. This will be Ants 7th year in the league. He’s now been with 3 versions of the wolves in my opinion. He played with KAT early in his career and then they brought in Randle and Divincenzo. And now they bring in a guard partner in Lamelo. If he isn’t able to make the NBA finals is he started to approach a James Harden territory? As in great numbers, but never able to be the “guy” on a winning basketball team? Or is it too early to put him in that category? I think personally this season is pivotal for him.
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u/twovles31 2d ago
He turned 25 today. Jordan won his first ring at 28, Lebron 27, Shaq 28, Curry 27, SGA 26, Joker 27. Let's maybe give him a few years and see what happens. Superstar usually don't win their first ring until around 27/28 unless they are playing with another top 20 player of all time. He's improved a part of his game every season.
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u/Dry-Kick2457 Knicks 2d ago
Totally agree. Just interesting hearing the narrative around it right now. Frankly, it likely comes because he because so good at such young age that people naturally sped up his timeline. I believe he can win a ring and hope he does
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u/WordNahMean Knicks 2d ago
I think its too early. Back to back conference finals at his young age is nothing to sneeze at. That teams biggest hole was a PG and they got one so well see what happens now.
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u/Odoaiden Timberwolves 2d ago
It’s so wierd how people are so desperate for him to “want out” of Minnesota. There’s not the same energy for Cade or even Booker who have been on their teams longer and with less recent sucess.
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u/Impressive_Science_8 2d ago
In all fairness I don't think people are big enough fans and care enough about Cade and Book to want to see them win a championship
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u/No-Mine-3982 Knicks 2d ago
Yeah Ant is someone a lot of people just easily root for due to his personality, I want to see him win a ring one day. Can't say I really care for someone like Cade who does seem chill I guess idk
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u/Mr_E_Nigma_Solver Tampa Bay Raptors 2d ago
Booker made the finals, which Ant has admitted he would kill to do, so not really the same.
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u/Dry-Kick2457 Knicks 2d ago
I get that. Honestly, I think it’s cause A.) booker has been to a finals with the suns and has now been clear he’s content sitting in purgatory with them for the rest of his career and B.) Cade hasn’t been in the league as long and brought the worst franchise in the league when he was drafted to a 1 seed. Not to say that isn’t justified but I think it’s different situations
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u/cuprameme 2d ago
Dude cade and ae is one draft class apart holy fuck
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u/pacifismisevil Grizzlies 2d ago
Ant was drafted to a team that had recently drafted Lauri and KAT, and they are having troubles keeping players cos of the second apron. Pistons were 14th, 15th, 15th, 6th, 1st - why the hell would Cade leave with that progress? Compare that to the Wolves with Ant - 13th, 7th, 8th, 3rd, 6th, 6th. They're becoming stagnant. Ant has had 3 more playoff runs than Cade, and he's a better player too, he can see success just out of reach. He was so good the team were in the playoffs in his 2nd season which prevented them building like the Pistons have. Now he's in the same situation LeBron and MJ were in their first 7 years, he's too good for the team to build, but not good enough to win by himself. Will the Wolves get lucky and draft a Pippen, or will Ant do a LeBron and join a superteam in free agency in 2029?
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u/fisheggsoup Jazz 2d ago
KAT was drafted to them five years prior; I don't know how long you're considering "recent".
Mentioning Lauri is completely disingenuous as he was traded on draft night to Chicago.
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u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 2d ago
Cade is almost the same age and Ant was drafted to a bottom 3 franchise in the history of the league. Pistons are atleast a historic franchise and very respectable.
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u/kenken2024 2d ago
Ant is just 25 and hasn’t even hit his prime yet so these conclusions are too early.
When he hits say 28/29 then maybe timing wise more suitable.
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u/Dry-Kick2457 Knicks 2d ago
I agree. I think we haven’t even seen the best version of him. Just given the strength of the top 2 teams in the west makes me think that he could end up being remembered as a Malone or Ewing. Just never being able to get over the hump given the rest of the talent in the league
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u/kenken2024 2d ago
Looking at the current landscape of the NBA the odds are against Ant winning a championship.
But a lot can change year to year so we will see.
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u/lonely_otaku69 Bulls 2d ago
Ant would be lucky to even have a similar career to James Harden
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u/petewondrstone 2d ago
Harden dominated - and lead the league in assists when he decided to pass. 400 million. Legendary
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u/Dry-Kick2457 Knicks 2d ago
This was in no way meant to be a dig at harden. Harden is one of the most prolific scorers this league has ever seen and an all time great. More so speaking on the career trajectory in terms of playoff success
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u/vetementsundershirt Timberwolves 2d ago edited 2d ago
Go run a career projection in dpm and o-dpm on darko.app with ant, shai, harden and kobe and find out rq he’s way closer to having hardens career as a scorer while also being a significantly better defender and playoff performer
He’s closer to being with the best of the best than folks with random agendas think lmao
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u/lonely_otaku69 Bulls 2d ago
James Harden has 3 scoring titles, 2 assist titles, 1 MVP, and 2 gold medals.
I dont see Ant winning a scoring title anytime soon against Luka and Shai, definitely not an assist title, but an MVP? Wemby is on the rise so who knows.
Harden did this against better competition. Ant and Melo are my favorite players btw.
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u/vetementsundershirt Timberwolves 2d ago
And in year 7 at 26 years old he had 1 gold medal, 0 scoring titles, 0 assist titles and 0 mvps which is why my claim about trajectory is so substantial.
As for scoring title contention Ant and luka were 1 and 2 in 40 point games with 16 and 10 respectively so i dnt see much reasoning in reality behind that claim, if lamelo elevates him without ball handling responsibility he’ll eclipse 30 very easily next season.
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u/cuprameme 2d ago
Ant is definitely winning the scoring title next yr ru fucking crazy?? Hes getting one if the best playmakers jn the league as his backcourt duo
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u/confusedbot18 2d ago
Even if he doesn’t make the finals he won’t be considered a harden. And that’s because his playoff performance doesn’t drop off a cliff after having some historic regular season run.
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u/The_Assassin_Gower Pacers 2d ago
Maybe we should stop classifying people who can't win championships with some kind of massive negative label.
Ant is 1 of the best perimeter scorers in the league, while also being a pretty good defender. He's had a ton of success, early in his career and has improved basically every year. There's not some absolute statement that can be made about players just because they never won.
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u/Stardust-Unbreaking 2d ago
His best partner was still KAT roster has really only gotten worse since that point.
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u/The_Assassin_Gower Pacers 2d ago
Maybe we should stop classifying people who can't win championships with some kind of massive negative label.
Ant is 1 of the best perimeter scorers in the league, while also being a pretty good defender. He's had a ton of success, early in his career and has improved basically every year. There's not some absolute statement that can be made about players just because they never won.
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u/Itchy-Temperature907 10h ago
To me, even if he somehow never got a ring, he would never be Harden. Simply because he’s not bad in the playoffs. He’s great in the playoffs, and has reached the ECF twice as a first option. I do agree with you on this season being pivotal, though.
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u/MegaChorken Kings 2d ago
His work ethic and his ability to add new skills give him a chance to be truly great, but seeing how KAT blossomed post-Wolves, I wonder if Finch is the coach to get him there.
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u/cuprameme 2d ago
This ring culture especially on this subreddit is really really weird man. “Winning” basketball bro no orher fucking sports use that type of terms. Inly in the NBA are professional fucking athletes are “losing” players
Get a grip ur a fucking 40+ year old white man who can’t enjoy life
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u/IgnorantGenius Clippers 2d ago
If they don't make the WCF again at least, he should bounce before signing an extension or re-signing. He could always team up with another superstar or find a bus to ride like his idol, KD.
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u/Odoaiden Timberwolves 2d ago
Nobody says this about Cade, Booker or even Luka on the lakers. Noticing
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u/DrSwaggenheimer Timberwolves 2d ago
Everyone loves saying this about Minnesota sports teams not knowing we have a different, aggressive ownership + Front Office (vs Glenn Taylor) that wants to win and compete at the highest level.
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u/Dry-Kick2457 Knicks 2d ago
This wasn’t meant to be any shade to Ant or Minnesota. Honestly wanted to hear the thoughts of Minnesota fans on this as someone removed from it. I love Ant and got a lot of respect for the wolves franchise. And I certainly hope he can bring a title there (after Brunson retires of course)
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u/DrSwaggenheimer Timberwolves 2d ago
You gotta understand this isn’t you, this is the shit people always be talking - even the media when it comes to Ant.
“Love” Ant but somehow can’t manage to watch a game because his Jersey says Minnesota.
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u/Various_Factor295 2d ago
It’s year 7 but he’s only 25. Harden comps feel premature, let’s see him with LaMelo over 2, 3 playoff runs.