3 Things Anthony Edwards and Wolves Need to Do to Save Their Season

After Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves dispatched both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in the first two rounds, many expected them to handle the Oklahoma City Thunder easily in the Western Conference Finals to finally get a chance to battle for their first NBA title.

Those first two series proved that Anthony Edwards had stepped up his game and was gunning for glory. He was driven and wanted to prove that he was ready to take on the mantle of the next Face of the NBA. The 23-year-old also became a leader of that team, willing them on.

Ahead of the Western Conference Finals, they enjoyed five days of rest. That was a huge advantage considering the Thunder rested for just one day after battling against the Denver Nuggets over seven tough games.

But in Game 1, the Thunder embarrassed the Wolves. Anthony Edwards, especially, was not to be found in the fourth quarter as he could not score a single point. Many believed he had to step up for Game 2 if they were to save this series.

He did respond in Game 2, but the Oklahoma City Thunder’s exceptional defense throttled his teammates, and they collectively succumbed to another defeat. Now, as they head back home, the Timberwolves have to figure out how to get these things in order, if they are to save their season.

Anthony Edwards has to become the best player on the floor

Anthony Edwards responded in Game 2 with a team-leading 32 points, along with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. But he was not the best player on the floor. That mantle went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who continued his assault on the Wolves’ defense and feasted on them throughout the game.

He was again the recipient of many foul calls, which, after the Game 1 fiasco, should give the Wolves enough proof that he is not going to stop attacking them. To counter that, Edwards needs to elevate his game and either match or edge SGA’s scoring.

The Georgia Bulldog alum is better at other aspects than the new league MVP, but if the scoring is not there to counter Gilgeous-Alexander, the Wolves might not have anything to offset the score. Attacking the paint should pile some more pressure on the Thunder defense.

That way, the Thunder will be forced to change their defensive game plan. The 23-year-old cannot hand them more rebounds by clanking threes off the rim. Going back to what made him a superstar is the only way to force the Thunder to retreat.

Julius Randle cannot have another Game 2 embarrassment

One byproduct of Anthony Edwards attacking the rim would be that the Oklahoma City Thunder will be drawn to try and defend their paint. This will open up opportunities for Julius Randle to feast on. The star forward was excellent in the second round and in Game 1.

But his Game 2 performance was embarrassing. Even he knew that, and clips revealed that he asked his family to leave the arena well before the final whistle blew. The 30-year-old has to step up and become the second-best scorer for the Minnesota Timberwolves in every game.

Unless they can utilize his court-stretching scoring, the opposition will collapse onto his teammates, making it difficult for them to score. Randle had everything going for him up until Game 2. The last thing he would want is to be the reason the Wolves ended their season early.

Rudy Gobert might be staking his career

Rudy Gobert is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. The Minnesota Timberwolves pay him a handsome $36.5 million a year to be their best defender on the court. But in the first two games, he has been anything but that.

Along with his defense, they also need the Frenchman to score some buckets. So far, he has scored a measly 7 points. Even his defense has not been anything to write home about. With such mediocre production, the franchise might wonder why they would continue to pay him that much.

They can get better production from a younger player for nearly half that money. The extra cash can bring in other players or pay Naz Reid what he deserves. Essentially, Rudy Gobert is playing for his career. If he does not step up and give the Wolves what they need, he might be on the trade block in the offseason.

The need to elevate each other’s game is not just restricted to these three. The others also have to chime in. Otherwise, the Oklahoma City Thunder could finish off the series much earlier than anticipated. To win this series, the entire team has to step up and ensure the Thunder do not win another game.

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