MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards learned a lot from LeBron James and the other elders on the U.S. men’s basketball team at the Paris Olympics last summer, yet more fuel for the bouncy, energetic and brash Minnesota Timberwolves guard in his journey to becoming one of the best players in the game.
The presence of James and his Los Angeles Lakers has been bringing out the best in Edwards in these NBA playoffs, too.
With 43 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the 116-113 comeback victory in Game 4 on Sunday, Edwards led the Timberwolves to a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.
“We played together (for the) USA, and he was like a big brother to me. He looked out for me. He helped me out a lot with IQ and reading the game and everything,” Edwards said, before flashing a smile. “Just trying to be a pest to him out there.”
Edwards had 10 points, two assists and a steal over the final 4:21 of the second quarter to spur a 19-8 run by the Timberwolves. He picked up his only two fouls during that stretch, too, both while closely guarding James while he had the ball. On the first one, he delivered several exaggerated forearm shoves at James to try to establish his position before the whistle finally blew.