Anthony Edwards is already one of the NBA’s brightest young stars - and now, he’s showing he’s a student of the game in all the right ways. After earning 2026 All-Star MVP honors, the Timberwolves guard reflected on what he’s learned from some of the game’s all-time greats, and it’s clear the lessons are starting to pay off.
During his time with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Edwards had a front-row seat to greatness - sharing the court and locker room with legends like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. But what stood out most to him wasn’t a flashy highlight or a late-game dagger. It was the discipline.
“Playing with the USA team, it taught me about having a routine,” Edwards said after Sunday’s All-Star Game. “Watching Steph, KD, and Bron every day do the same routine… I feel like that’s what makes them great.”
That kind of consistency - the same drills, the same warmups, the same habits - might sound monotonous, but for players like Curry, it’s the foundation of longevity and excellence. Edwards admitted it can be tough to stick with something that becomes repetitive, but seeing how the elite approach their craft gave him a new perspective. And that mindset shift is already showing up in his game.
Curry, known for being one of the best-conditioned athletes in the league, has built a career on precision, movement, and relentless preparation. It’s why he’s still lighting it up in his 30s.
Edwards saw that firsthand in Paris, when Curry dropped 24 points - all from beyond the arc - in the Olympic Gold Medal Game against France. It wasn’t just a shooting clinic; it was a masterclass in how to move without the ball, stay ready, and strike when the defense blinks.
That off-ball movement is another piece of Curry’s game that Edwards has added to his own arsenal. While he’s always been known for his explosiveness and ability to create his own shot, learning to thrive without the ball has made him even more dangerous. It’s no coincidence that after his Olympic experience, Edwards led the league last season with 320 made threes - a testament to both his evolving skill set and his growing understanding of spacing and timing.
Now in his fourth All-Star season, Edwards is averaging a career-best 29.3 points per game, and he’s doing it with a blend of power, finesse, and a growing basketball IQ that mirrors the veterans he once watched in awe. He’s not just playing like a star - he’s preparing like one, too.
If Edwards continues to embrace the habits of the greats, the ceiling only gets higher. He’s got the talent, the work ethic, and now, the blueprint. And that’s a scary combination for the rest of the league.