There is nothing quite like the insecurity of Minnesota sports fans.
We live in perpetual fear of being abandoned by star players and quality coaches. Exactly when this started isn’t clear, but my first memory of sports abandonment occurred in the mid-1980s when Lou Holtz left the resurgent Minnesota Gophers football team for Notre Dame.
The latest cause for paranoia came last Sunday following Anthony Edwards’ appearance in the NBA All-Star Game. Walking off the floor after winning the MVP trophy, Edwards was caught on camera covering his mouth and whispering to Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks that “I can’t wait to come home.” Or that’s what it sounded like. Edwards then complimented the Hawks’ talent on the wings and the boost that new addition Jonathan Kuminga would provide.
The video went viral and created a buzz among Timberwolves fans that Edwards was expressing a desire to return to his hometown of Atlanta. Edwards got an opportunity to address the issue following his 40-point performance in the Wolves’ 122-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night in their first game back from the All-Star break.
“I don’t think it’s nothing for real, it wasn’t too much, it’s a conversation,” Edwards told reporters. “I’ve been knowing Jalen Johnson for a long time, that’s my dawg. We were just having a conversation. I’m happy where I’m at.”
Whether that’s a relief is open for debate given the cynical viewpoint will be that Edwards was trying to put the horse back in the barn. Edwards, however, is in the second season of a five-year, $244.6 million maximum contract extension with the Wolves and he isn’t going anywhere during that time.
Why is that important? Because the expectation should be that he helps to deliver an NBA championship to Minnesota before his contract expires.
In fact, it will be a disappointment if he doesn’t.
Edwards, 24, has been the key reason the Wolves have reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals, and he continues to be one of the NBA’s most marketable and dynamic players.
As much as Edwards might love Atlanta, the Hawks remain a team looking for an identity. The Wolves, once an NBA laughingstock, have become a highly competitive franchise that is run by one of the league’s top executives, Tim Connelly, and is always looking to add star power to pair with Edwards.