Anthony Edwards had a breakout season whereas main the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Convention finals.
Now he says it is his flip to steer Crew USA.
The 22-year-old NBA All-Star was requested on Sunday the place he suits into Crew USA’s roster because it prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics. He intends to play the identical function he does in Minnesota — because the group’s “No. 1 possibility.”
“I am nonetheless the No. 1 possibility,” Edwards stated Sunday whereas talking with media from Crew USA’s coaching camp in Las Vegas. “Ya’ll may take a look at it in a different way, I do not take a look at it no totally different.”
When requested what enjoying the No. 1 possibility on a roster that includes a number of the recreation’s all-time greats seems to be like, Edwards’ confidence did not wane.
“I simply go on the market and be myself,” Edwards continued. “Shoot my photographs, play protection and, you realize. They’ve gotta slot in to mess around me. That is how I really feel.”
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards on how he suits in with USA Basketball Olympic group: “I’m nonetheless the primary possibility. Y’all may take a look at it in a different way. … They’ve obtained to slot in round me. That’s how I really feel.” pic.twitter.com/Cga5kTiR2J
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 7, 2024
Edwards’ competitors for “No. 1 possibility” will probably be stiff. Amongst others, Edwards is joined on Crew USA by LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid. These 4 gamers alone have mixed for 10 NBA championships, eight league MVPs, seven Finals MVPs and 9 NBA scoring titles.
Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Devin Booker are among the many different high-level scoring choices slated to take the ground for Crew USA in Paris. Edwards — the youngest participant on the group — is not even assured a beginning spot on this lineup, a lot much less a featured function as its No. 1 possibility.
Edwards is just not unaware of this. He supplied his commentary Sunday alongside a glowing smile acknowledging the audacity of what he’d simply stated. He is aware of that nothing’s going to be given to him on the world stage. So he intends to take it by way of the boldness that formed his transformation final season from rising star to licensed famous person.
What higher stage for Edwards to cement that standing than on the Paris Olympics amongst the most effective of the world’s greatest gamers? Whereas James, Curry, Durant and Embiid actually haven’t any intention of ceding their spotlights, they absolutely welcome Edwards’ self-assurance.
They did not get to their stage with out enjoying with that very same sort of confidence.