[Cool article](https://theathletic.com/4663359/2023/07/03/anthony-edwards-contract-extension-timberwolves/?source=emp_shared_article) from Jon! Lots of Ant hype and koolaid if you need it. I’ve paraphrased and included my favorite quotes below:
Ant *wants* the responsibility of taking the Wolves to the promise land.
>This task will not be easy, and crutches like tradition and culture are not here to prop him up. **He wouldn’t want it any other way because Edwards has been choosing the path less traveled his whole life.**
* He could have rode the AAU gravy train on the Nike EYBL circuit. Instead, he aligned with the less-well-known Under Armour program and made a name for himself.
* When Kentucky and other big-time universities came to recruit him as one of the top prep players in the country, Edwards chose Georgia, a football school with little in the way of hoops lineage.
>In his earlier days in Minnesota, Edwards discussed the team’s reputation with his business manager Justin Holland. Many who have come through here have either run from the difficulty or been suffocated by it. For Edwards and Holland, they felt right at home.
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>“It just kind of goes with the Anthony Edwards story,” Holland told *The Athletic* in 2021. “He has always built his own lane. **Why not do the same thing here and turn this franchise around and be one of the guys that can really cement his name in the history books? He wants to be legendary.** ”
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>Faith is belief without proof, but the playoffs have shown that Edwards deserves more than mere faith that he can do this. He was the most ready for the moment and confident the Wolves belonged.
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>\- In 11 career playoff games, Edwards is averaging 28.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and hitting 38 percent of his 3s on nearly 10 (!) attempts per game.
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>More importantly, Edwards is showing signs of becoming a true leader as well. He grew more vocal as last season progressed, particularly in the playoffs when it came to demanding excellence from his teammates. He’s working out in MN, setting the expectation for his teammates.
* Not only does Ant have the talent, work ethic and ambition to turn this franchise around, his magnetic personality and charisma make him the most equipped since KG to be a beacon of hope and joy for a numb fanbase.
* And he does not have to go it alone! He has another talented franchise player who will not run when faced with adversity, a 3X DPOY and one of the best wing defenders in the league to help him. “And yes, the plan going forward, team sources said, is to keep this core together. ”
* He loves Finch and removing Thib’s stint, this is the first time Wolves have had a lead executive and head coach for consecutive seasons since David Kahn and Rick Adelman! It’s not a coincidence that the Timberwolves are starting to exhibit some signs of competence.
* The Wolves and Anthony Edwards couldn’t be a better match.
**TLDR; To those who insist Ant should leave MN and doesn’t want to be here:** The well-worn path has never interested Edwards much, which is reflected in his choices in life. He has help, shows up in the playoffs, loves his coach, and the franchise finally has stability for consecutive seasons since Kahn! Being in MN fits his story. He wants to be legendary.
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by Minute-Decent
1 Comment
Some nice Koolaid and hope if you need it.
I forgot how most of Ant’s choices in life have been the path less traveled and he likes it that way. Being in MN “fits his story” because he’s “always wanted to build his own lane”. The kid wants to be here.
We’re so lucky man.