Anthony Edwards didn\u2019t want to jinx it, but he smiled and noted he\u2019s \u201cliking the way\u201d the Timberwolves\u2019 defense looks at the moment.<\/p>\n
Minnesota has won three straight following its dismantling of the Thunder on Thursday, with defense leading the charge in all three victories.<\/p>\n
That side of the ball has been Minnesota\u2019s Hallmark for the last couple of seasons \u2014 both of which resulted in Western Conference Finals runs \u2014 but the defensive performances this season have been up and down.<\/p>\n
Edwards knows the antidote to the inconsistency.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it just starts with me on the defensive end,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I\u2019m guarding at a high level, I think everybody\u2019s gonna do it. So I just gotta, you know, make my mind up and choose to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
While this season may mark Edwards\u2019 worst on the defensive end since his rookie campaign, Thursday was another reminder of how high his ceiling is on that end of the floor.<\/p>\n
The superstar said there 100% are nights where he decides to take over the game defensively, adding that\u2019s something he wants to do more frequently, while noting \u201cit\u2019s always tough.\u201d Because it does require high levels of energy, which aren\u2019t easy to muster when you\u2019re also your team\u2019s primary offensive producer. But perhaps that end is where energy can be saved.<\/p>\n
All eight rotation players scored seven-plus points Thursday. The Wolves have enough collective firepower to fuel the ship without Edwards having to go full inferno mode.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I just gotta lean on my teammates a little bit more on offense and like just trust in them a little bit more,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd then just give more on the defensive end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Edwards tallied two steals and a block Thursday, while Thunder players he was guarding went 1 for 7 from the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as he\u2019s doing that,\u201d Jaden McDaniels said, \u201cwe\u2019re going to be good defensively.\u201d<\/p>\n
Which is Minnesota\u2019s true motor. The Wolves parlayed 15 Thunder turnovers into 30 points the other way. Stops spark transition. Transition lends itself to equal opportunity offense, organically creating scoring chances for the likes of McDaniels, Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just makes the flow easier. It don\u2019t matter who\u2019s going in transition,\u201d McDaniels said. \u201cWe\u2019ll just make the right play. I might have it in transition, and I might pass back to Naz, and it might be a pass-pass for 3 or just take it yourself. Just being confident and just making the right play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, everyone around Edwards is catching a rhythm and competing with confidence. When that\u2019s the case, the Wolves are a tough pack with which to run. Even down three rotational pieces on Thursday, Oklahoma City is still the NBA\u2019s best defensive team. Yet Minnesota shot 51% from the floor and 47% from distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we played a very connected game,\u201d Wolves coach Chris Finch said. \u201cI thought we found the right guy open offensively a lot. I thought we started the game with a lot of really good structure, execute our sets and concepts well. And then when we went to iso for the most part, I thought we were good and finding a kick out and just finding Rudy (Gobert) and those types of things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everybody ate. No heavy lifting was required from any individual, which freed up reserves to expend on the other end and, in turn, elevated Minnesota to the peak of its powers.<\/p>\n
Thunder players outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had trouble merely dribbling the ball, let alone serving as any type of legitimate scoring threat on a night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s our defense at its best form,\u201d Finch said. \u201cReally good physicality on the ball, set the tone there. Did a good job at one point with our coverages and execution of those things. It\u2019s certainly like what we\u2019re capable of. And we got to bring that out more, not just wait for the best team in the league to come to town, so that\u2019s a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
One, specifically, for the team\u2019s best player to take on. For the Timberwolves to be a true championship contender, Edwards does indeed have to dominate every night \u2014 it\u2019s just not on the end of the floor everyone suspects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got to be ready to play like we playing the Thunder every night \u2026 I think I take a lot of the teams that we play that\u2019s like, not that good, for granted. So it starts with me, for sure,\u201d Edwards said. \u201cI just got to (defend like) that on a night-in, night-out basis. Like I always say, it\u2019s tough because I know it\u2019s a lot. But I got to be willing to do it every night.\u201d<\/p>\n
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