Anthony Edwards Shocked After Promise to Beat Paris Olympic Ping Pong Star Backfires

Anthony Edwards played a game of table-tennis against women's world number 28, Lily Zhang, in the premier episode of "Serious Business with Anthony Edwards".

Anthony Edwards Shocked After Promise to Beat Paris Olympic Ping Pong Star Backfires

Anthony Edwards (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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If there is one quality that the Minnesota Timberwolves star, Anthony Edwards, does not lack, it is his confidence. Even if the task in hand is near to impossible, the three-time NBA All-Star does not shy away from a challenge.

In just five years in the NBA after being drafted by the Wolves as the number one pick in the 2020 NBA draft, Edwards has become more than just a basketball player. He’s also an actor, music producer, and now the star of a new series streaming on Amazon.

The new Amazon show called “Serious Business with Anthony Edwards” features the Wolves star taking on athletes and celebrities in different games and sports. While confidence is key to success in professional sports, it could also lead to irrational belief as in the case of Edwards. Ant had challenged Team USA women’s table-tennis team to a match of ping-pong.

In episode one of the series, Edwards is seen playing four-time Olympian Lily Zhang in table-tennis. The American table-tennis player is currently ranked at 28 in the world. Zhang has won the US national championship six times and has represented the USA in the last four Olympics, including the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“You nervous?” Zhang asked ahead of her match against Edwards.

To which Edwards replied, “Nah, hell no.”

It was Edwards who came out victorious as the challenge was for him to win one point. Zhang gifted Edwards with ten straight points before losing 11-5 to hand ‘Ant-Man’ the win.

Anthony Edwards’ challenge to the Team USA women’s Table-tennis team

Everyone is aware that the team that showed up for the USA in the 2024 Olympics in Paris is unmatched boasting the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards and more. They went undefeated and went on to claim the gold medal defeating Serbia in the final.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, Curry brought along the Team USA women’s table-tennis players and proposed a challenge to Edwards. He told Edwards that the team said they could beat him 11-0 in the sport. The Wolves star replied:

I don’t believe it, I’m not having it.

The star challenged them to a match in which he promised he would win at least one point. While most people would back out, Edwards was ready for the challenge. Fast-forward to today, Edwards has lived up to the challenge.

Anthony Edwards and Michael Jordan’s similarities

Ever since Edwards was drafted into the league, he has drawn comparisons to the great Michael Jordan due to their similar styles of play and mindsets. The guard has shown significant improvements with every passing season and has been one of the best players in the league this campaign.

Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards (Image credits – ESPN)

Edwards is currently averaging 28.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists this season. The 24-year-old is coming off consecutive appearances in the Western Conference finals and that has not stopped him from improving his game in the offseason.

After running into some double-teams in the playoffs last season, Edwards felt he needed to make some improvements to his offensive game and, hence, approached Jordan for some advice. Jordan confirmed this when he spoke on NBC:

I had a conversation this summer with a high executive at Minnesota, and he was talking about Anthony Edwards. I heard during the course of the year that they were double-teaming. He didn’t know how to deal with the double team. Those are the types of conversations I try to have when players seek that information.

The jump in his scoring has been visible this season and it looks like Edwards has taken the advice of the six-time champion and worked on his craft. The 24-year-old is a thorough student of the game and only time will tell if he can replicate the success of Jordan.

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