For years, a common complaint against the NBA was the camaraderie between its stars. With everyone acting buddy-buddy, vindictive rivalries hadn’t come to fruition.
Additionally, stars were hesitant to be brash and stake their claim. However, the Anthony Edwards train has been a return to the yesteryears. The former number 1 overall pick is as loud and as brash as they come.
During the 2024 NBA Playoffs, his personality came to the forefront. Whether sweeping childhood idol Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns or going up against the Denver Nuggets and MVP Nikola Jokic, his attitude was a “killer.” Even for Team USA, that ideology hasn’t changed much.
The Kobe quote became the stuff of legend almost instantaneously. From there, the young guard has only grown from strength to strength.
Complacency worries a team rife with superstars and all-time greats like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and During. Featuring an All-Star cast to rival the Dream Team, it would be hard for the team to take competition seriously.
However, Anthony Edwards is here to ensure that isn’t the case.
Anthony Edwards wants the spotlight
Even as the young pup at 22 years old, Edwards feels like the king of the jungle, and he’s coming for the crown. Anthony laid his stake for the team’s alpha spot during press conferences at scrimmages and Team USA training camp.
“I’m still the No.1 option. Y’all might look at it differently, but I don’t. I just go out there and be myself. … Shoot my shots, play defense. They’ve got to fit in to play around me. That’s how I feel.”
That kind of confidence might be the necessary jolt for the team. While the superstars near the tail end of their careers might take the situation lightly, competition from within the team will push them forward. Even though they might want to turn lethargic or complacent, a young superstar on the rise is aiming for their spot, and AntMan isn’t shy about making his claim.
With the world closer to the US in terms of talent now more than ever, the kind of energy AE brings to the team is invaluable. He gives them an edge and extra motivation that should ensure that the team cruises to a Gold Medal, as they should, rather than fight for victories, ala 2022 FIBA World Cup.
Game 1 a sign of things to come for AE?
Team USA had its first taste of the new season with a practice match against Canada. One of five exhibitions for the team, there were definite growing pains as the stars learned how to play with each other. Eventually, the team managed an 86-72 victory, but the road wasn’t always easy. To start, Canada had an early 11-1 lead.
But, it was the onslaught from Edwards off the bench, who led the team with 13 points, that gave the team some momentum. Going into halftime, the team had a five-point lead before AE sent a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in to essentially give USA complete control.
If the first game was a sign of things to come, Edwards is more than ready to take on the challenge of being the “No.1 option” on Team USA. We have to wait and see how far that will take the team.
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