Timberwolves, Edwards keeps it real about LaMelo Ball: “There will be ups and downs”
Anthony Edwards believes in the potential of his new partnership with LaMelo Ball. The ceiling is high, but he knows the road ahead could come with plenty of challenges
The bitter second-round playoff exit at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs forced the Minnesota Timberwolves front office into a major roster overhaul.
In an effort to build a team tailored around Anthony Edwards’ elite talent, the front office made painful decisions, moving on from key contributors like Julius Randle and Naz Reid to pull off the blockbuster deal that brought LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
The arrival of the new star backcourt has generated plenty of excitement among Timberwolves fans, but Edwards himself urged patience while speaking at Fanatics Fest in New York.
There are definitely going to be ups and downs. Since it’s our first year together, there might be quite a few downs. We’ll deal with them and celebrate them both. We’ll celebrate the good moments just like we’ll embrace the tough ones, and we’ll just keep moving forward
Anthony Edwards
The addition of an elite playmaker like Ball is expected to free Edwards from primary ball-handling duties, allowing him to focus on what he does best: creating off the dribble and attacking the rim.
However, beyond his on-court chemistry with his new teammate, it was Edwards‘ comments about being the face of the NBA that grabbed attention in New York. Asked about the topic, the 24-year-old surprised the audience by pointing instead to Jalen Brunson, fresh off leading the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years.
I think being the face of the league comes with huge responsibilities, and one of them is winning a championship. I haven’t done that yet. So maybe that title belongs to Jalen Brunson or one of those guys who has already won
Anthony Edwards
Edwards refuses to embrace the label of face of the league until he has won an NBA championship, turning the pursuit of a title into his greatest source of motivation. With LaMelo Ball by his side and a new partnership to develop, the Timberwolves star is heading into what could be the defining season of his career as a leader.