In the world of sports, there's hardly ever time to breathe, let alone let sanity prevail. Take the latest whirlwind around Anthony Edwards, for instance. Once the Oklahoma City Thunder dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves in a swift Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the online mob sharpened its claws, ready to pounce on Edwards for not sticking the landing.
It's true; Edwards had a rough patch. Scoring 16 points on 13 shots in Game 4 and following up with 19 points in a 7-of-18 shooting performance in Game 5 wasn't the heroics Timberwolves fans had hoped for as the team lost by a 30-point margin. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the spotlight—with an MVP-caliber performance—and left Edwards wobbling under the playoff strain for a second consecutive year.
But let’s hit pause—one playoff series won't write the book on Edwards' career. It’s tempting to fall for the lazy "here and now" narratives.
The kind that turn Ant-Man into "Cant-Man" because, at just 23, he doesn’t have a cabinet filled with championship rings. But these critiques miss the forest for the trees, failing to recognize the early bursts of greatness in Ant's career trajectory.
The impatience of sports culture today often draws hasty comparisons to legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant. They didn't spring onto the scene and immediately fuel dynasties either, contrary to popular revisionist history.
Let’s reflect—MJ didn't escape the first round until year four, stumbling through his first three postseason outings with a 1-9 record. Kobe took time to evolve from a Lakers sixth man to a headline act in his own right, while Shaq faced his own playoff hurdles before basking in championship glory with the Lakers.
Remember, Edwards, a three-time All-Star and consecutively named second-team All-NBA player, has piloted his team to playoff success multiple times already. Given his age, his placement among the league’s young elite and his inherent knack for the game shouldn’t be dismissed so easily.
Speaking truth to narrow fan fever, basketball legends from Steph Curry to LeBron to Larry Bird had their share of rocky beginnings. Steph missed the playoffs in his first three seasons, while LeBron didn't taste Finals triumph until his ninth year. Bird was 24 when he first claimed his ring.
So when you look at Anthony Edwards’ journey so far, it’s crucial to remember the longevity and growth potential inherent in a young player’s career. Success in the NBA is often a marathon, not a sprint. Every career has its stumbling blocks, and history tends to forget the missteps once the player reaches the summit.
For the community quick to criticize, take a breath. Anthony Edwards is still writing his story, much like the greats who came before him.
He’s shown immense promise, and while nothing is certain, dismissing his potential now would be shortsighted. The journey to becoming one of the all-time greats is long, and at just 23, Edwards is running at a good pace.
Trust the process. This is merely chapter one.
The tale of Anthony Edwards is far from finished.
