The national media would inevitably praise the Los Angeles Lakers regardless of who they played in the first round.
Like many other national pundits, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes the Lakers will win. However, he issued a stern warning to the Lakers about Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards.
During Thursday’s edition of First Take, Stephen A. made it clear how he feels about Edwards and his ability to shift a series.
You better be scared of Anthony Edwards, Stephen A. said. The Ant Man is coming… I think this brother is so special.
Stephen A. went on to say he’s still picking the Lakers in the series but noted this is Edwards’s opportunity to deliver on a big stage.
There has never been a greater opportunity, not even last years postseason run, wasn’t a greater opportunity for Ant Man to cement his star status than the opportunity right now… I believe in him. I don’t believe they’ll win this series but I believe it’ll be a long one because I believe Anthony Edwards is going to go berserk.
It’s high praise coming from Stephen A. It’s also interesting that Stephen A. feels this opportunity in Round 1 is greater than last year, when the Wolves made the Western Conference Finals. The only reason for believing this stage is greater is that Edwards will be facing off against LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Lakers brand.
Edwards has the ability to take over a game or a series. Teams have leaned on double-teaming him time and again in crunch time, and it’s been a big adjustment for Edwards to make.
If the players around Edwards, like Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels, can elevate and if Randle can wash away his own postseason woes, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Timberwolves pull off the Round 1 upset.
