In the second segment of Friday’s NBA Today show, the panelists gave predictions on who would take a leap after playing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup. Zach Lowe and Kendrick Perkins went first, saying that Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero would take the leap. Chiney Ogwumike agreed that Banchero had breakout potential, but she felt Anthony Edwards will take his game to the next level after playing overseas.
It came down to Paolo Banchero or Ant Edwards to me, and I think the pressure is more so on Ant to show that he can be that guy because we’ve asked him to do that in Minny. And I know it’s been a rough couple of years with them trying to build their chemistry. But nonetheless, you can’t sleep on the fact that his numbers across the board have increased every year of his career: points per game, assists, rebounds per game, steals, field-goal percentage, [and] three-point percentage.
So if he can go and prove among this talented collection of young stars that he is that guy and lead this group, I feel that will immediately translate unquestionably to the place where we’re putting pressure on him, his team. And so we have great expectations based on the talent of the Timberwolves. I think if he gets this experience, and he’s a guy I have circled to watch.
It’s a good sign that the NBA Today show panelists have expectations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. That hasn’t always been the case. But it’s a little less surprising that they have high hopes for Edwards. He’s established himself as a bona fide star, and it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if he came back a better player after playing for Team USA.
