Did Utah fleece Minnesota in their summer trade?
It doesn’t sound like a joke anymore a few weeks into the season. The Timberwolves went all in with a massive trade to land Rudy Gobert and push themselves toward the top of the West, but three weeks into the season it’s the Jazz on top of the conference and the Timberwolves in the middle of the pack and below .500 (5-6).
What is going on with the Timberwolves? Anthony Edwards has an answer, and it’s harsh.
Anthony Edwards: "We just play soft, man. Like, every bump, we flying all over the place, including myself. Teams just coming in like, ‘We’re going to take their heart,’ and that’s what’s going on. We’re down 20 every game! We’ve got to figure it out."
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) November 8, 2022
Minnesota traded for Gobert to improve their defense, which has worked — not yet top five as they hoped, but still top 10.
However, it left some odd-fitting pieces on offense and coach Chris Finch has yet to sort that art of the puzzle out — the Timberwolves are 22nd on that end of the floor. Edwards has been vocal about it, suggesting the two-big lineups with Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns has led to a crowded paint, making it tougher for him to drive and score. Of course, Edwards himself is far from blameless in all this.
Consider me absolutely baffled by Anthony Edwards here. pic.twitter.com/32SM3CNZK1
— Jared Martinson (@JaredMartyMN) November 7, 2022
Edwards is young, confident and brash — it blends with his attacking style of play. However, like on the court, that combination of youth and attitude can lead to mistakes of confidence. Edwards is still learning how to lead — and not always doing it by example (see the above clip). The “we’re soft” card is a big one to pull out, insults teammates, and needs to be played at the right time. Now may not have been that moment.
Things will not get easier for Minnesota, which hosts the Suns on Wednesday and then heads out on a four-game road trip.
