Anthony Edwards continues to rise as one of the most dynamic and talked-about young players in the NBA. Coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign where he averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists over 79 games, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard has firmly established himself as the face of the franchise and a future MVP contender.
His explosiveness, fearless scoring, and charisma have made him a fan favorite and a marketing standout. But as his star rises, so too does the scrutiny.
Recently, NBA champion and Lakers legend Pau Gasol shared his assessment of Edwards and it wasn’t all praise. While he acknowledged Edwards’ immense potential and star power, Gasol emphasized that the 23-year-old still has several critical areas to improve before he can truly lead a team to a championship.
Gasol’s challenge: From great scorer to complete leader
Gasol, who played alongside the late Kobe Bryant during the Lakers’ championship runs, knows what it takes to win at the highest level. Speaking about Edwards, he recalled a conversation they had two years ago, where Edwards declared, “I want to be the best.”
It was a powerful moment that showed the young player’s ambition, but also the beginning of what Gasol sees as a journey that requires more than just putting up points.
“Being the best is not just about scoring. It’s about how you lead your team. How you communicate. How you show up on both ends of the floor every night,” Gasol said in a recent interview.
He stressed that Edwards needs to improve his consistency on defense, take greater ownership in team leadership, and push himself to be great in all facets of the game, not just when the spotlight is brightest.
Defensively, Edwards has shown flashes but remains inconsistent. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks, but his overall defensive metrics, such as defensive box plus/minus, remained average. There were key playoff moments, notably in the Western Conference Finals, where lapses in defensive focus allowed opposing teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder to swing momentum in their favor.
Gasol pointed out that this lack of defensive commitment, especially in transition, is a glaring weakness Edwards must fix. The former Laker urged him to raise his game in practices and regular-season moments, not just in playoff intensity or highlight plays.
Iman Shumpert, another former NBA player, echoed Gasol’s sentiments, noting that Edwards would benefit from developing a post-up game and a better understanding of how to navigate double teams and complex defenses. The idea is not to reinvent Edwards, but to round out his skill set so defenses can’t neutralize him as easily.
With the Timberwolves now making back-to-back deep playoff runs, the expectations are no longer about potential – they’re about results. If Edwards wants to cement himself among the league’s elite and bring a title to Minnesota, embracing Gasol’s challenge could be the turning point in his journey from star to legend.
Read the full article here
