Anthony Edwards vents frustrations over being double-teamed: ‘I don’t know what to do, honestly’

On By Littum

When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded away Karl-Anthony Towns and his $220 million contract, it was expected that many of Towns’ offensive responsibilities, and subsequent defensive attention, would fall to budding superstar Anthony Edwards.

So far it doesn’t work.

The Timberwolves lost 118-115 to the Boston Celtics on Thursday, dropping their record to 17-16 a year after going 56-26 and reaching the Western Conference finals. It was a tough game for Edwards, who shot 5 of 16 for 15 points plus six assists and two turnovers.

Edwards had a lot to say after the match about the double teams he faced. Talking to reporters including Dane MooreEdwards said he wasn’t interested in a style of play that required him to get out of double teams:

“It’s a good brand in basketball, but obviously that’s not how I want to play. I’m only 23, I don’t want to just pass the ball all night… But the way they’re protecting me, I think I have to.”

Edwards also said that it was “super hard” to stay engaged while being double-teamed and that he’s not sure what to do:

“When they double me, it’s definitely like, ‘Bro, what’s going on?’ I’m trying to figure it out… I don’t know what to do honestly but it’s not fun I don’t want to look like I’m not trying or I’m not as good as I am because I am but I can’t show it because I get double teamed.

“It’s definitely frustrating to see these guys cooking for us and I can’t cook them.”

That’s not exactly what you want to hear from the young player who represents the foundation of your entire team’s future. It’s also not hard to imagine every NBA team reading those words and interpreting them as “Keep working with Anthony Edwards. It’s working.”

January 2, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) passes Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesJanuary 2, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) passes Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards has not enjoyed other teams double-teaming him. (Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images)

Instead of taking another leap in Towns’ absence, Edwards has generally been about as productive as he was last year, but not as much in the last two weeks. In that span, he’s shot 39.3% and scored 18.9 points per game. game, where Minnesota went 3-5.

Of course, Edwards isn’t the first young player to deal with regular double teams. It’s basically a rite of passage for NBA superstars, and the answer is always to either learn to score through those double teams or make teams more fearful of the possibility of you finding the open man. The strange part is that Edwards outright says he has little interest in the second option.

Fortunately, he and the Timberwolves have plenty of time to make adjustments. Their next chance for a step forward will be on the road Saturday against the Detroit Pistons.