"Some days, we were going to just shoot 2000 shots" - Anthony Edwards on what it took to develop a consistent outside shot

anthony-edwards

When Anthony Edwards’ name is mentioned, what immediately comes to mind is the supreme confidence and athleticism, the notion that when watching a Minnesota Timberwolves game, you can’t blink or risk missing something extraordinary like a ferocious in-your-face slam or an acrobatic layup.

These days, Ant-Man features a more diverse arsenal that includes a reliable outside shot. Whereas before, the former first-overall pick relied on his jump-out-of-the-gym hops and lightning-quick first step to score buckets, he can now turn to a sweet shooting stroke that can burn opponents from mid-range or deep. This has elevated Edwards’ game to another level, making him an even more formidable threat on the court.

The two-time All-Star recently described the process of developing his consistent jumper as challenging, which, at times, necessitated him shooting more than 2,000 jumpshots a day.

A lot of hard work

Ant came out of the University of Georgia oozing with potential. However, despite averaging 19.1 points per game in his lone season with the Bulldogs, his game needed plenty of work—he made only 40.2 percent of his shots, including 29.4 percent from beyond the arc. While this could have worked at the collegiate level, Ant knew he needed to develop a more reliable jumper to excel against the big boys of the NBA.

As expected, the 6-foot-4 wingman struggled to make shots from mid-range, draining only 24.6 percent of shots attempted from 10-16 feet in his rookie season. He also shot 32.9 percent from long range.

Fast forward to his fourth season, Ant’s offseason training has paid off in a huge way, as he’s now making 44.0 percent of his midrange jumpers and 35.7 percent of his triples. And while these are not Steph Curry-like numbers, they are a significant improvement from his early years in the league. More than anything, it’s enough to keep opponents on their toes when defending him.

“A lot of work, man. It’s a lot of work. Super tiring, but it’s all worth it when it shows on nights like tonight,” Edwards said after his spectacular Game 1 showing when he dropped 43 points, including several crucial jumpers in the fourth quarter that held off the defending champions, Denver Nuggets.

Constant improvement

Some NBA players are content to coast by on their natural talent alone. They rely on their God-given abilities and don’t put in the extra work to improve their game. But not Ant. The spunky guard knew what he had to do in the offseason, refining his shooting mechanics and boosting his confidence along the way.

“When I came into the league, the thing was, I couldn’t shoot. So, I mean, those summers that I had, leading up to now, was a lot of work, man, just shooting. Some days, were going to just shoot 2,000 shots. So, it was, it was tough,” Edwards said.

Ant-Man’s exceptional Game 1 performance stunned many fans and experts and impressed several Hall of Famers, including Dirk Nowitzki.

“He’s an unbelievable athlete with the mindset,” Dirk shared. “He’s got the skillset with it. I mean, he’s a complete package, and I love it. He doesn’t get discouraged. He just attacks all night long. He might miss a couple, but he keeps on coming. He can dance, he can shoot. I mean, he’s got a lot of stuff in his game, and he’s been fun to watch.”

Edwards has been on an incredible tear this season, and people often forget how young he is. At only 22 years old and with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for improvement, the future looks bright for Ant, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the NBA.