Ant Edwards had a disappointing Western Convention Finals because the Wolves misplaced in 5 video games. Head coach Chris Finch explains what he merely has to enhance within the aftermath.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been massacred by the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in Recreation 5 of the Western Convention Finals. The rating was 124-94 as they have been ruthlessly pushed out of the playoffs.
Anthony Edwards was a disappointment on the evening, managing simply 19 factors on an abysmal 39 p.c capturing efficiency from the sector. This, sadly, wasn’t his first poor sport of the collection both.
Edwards snapped again at critics after his Recreation 4 efficiency was criticized. This wasn’t obtained nicely. Stephen A. Smith questioned Ant after what he stated.
The 23-year-old wanted a giant efficiency after that, however couldn’t ship. And now his head coach has pinpointed his largest weak spot from the collection.
OKC is an elite defensive staff. One in all their largest strengths is their physicality. It was obvious throughout this comfy Convention Finals victory.
Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace mixed to play glorious protection towards Edwards. A few of it was maybe too tough, but it surely acquired the job carried out.
Chris Finch has beforehand complained concerning the contact the Thunder are allowed to get away with. But, after the brutal Recreation 5 loss, that’s precisely what he stated his younger celebrity has to beat.
“Clearly, he’s acquired to study to play towards that physicality. And that sort of holding on a regular basis,” Finch stated in his postgame press convention.
“They made it exhausting for him… He’s gotta discover some simpler buckets, I gotta assist him do this. I feel we have been by no means capable of set up one thing in keeping with him.”
It’s not simply that the Timberwolves misplaced within the Convention Finals; it’s how they did it. Shedding in 5 video games means the staff acquired outplayed, and Ant’s output was a serious contributor.
Edwards averaged 23.0 factors, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per sport. That’s 4.6 factors per sport lower than the common he had in the course of the common season.
The Minnesota All-Star scored lower than 20 factors in three out of 5 video games. Regardless of being the NBA’s three-point chief this yr, Ant shot a woeful 28.2 p.c from vary.
Edwards is younger, and he’ll proceed to enhance. However with the Western Convention persevering with to develop harder, he must discover a strategy to grow to be plain within the playoffs, and quick.
