Carsen Edwards stakes his claim with the Boston Celtics

Through the first 3 preseason games for the Boston Celtics, Carsen Edwards has grasped the opportunity every time he was on the floor.

Every time Carsen Edwards entered the game for the Boston Celtics this preseason, Tom Heinsohn could be heard gushing about Edwards’ skill set. He isn’t the only one either. Edwards is winning everybody over with his all-action style of play. He puts full effort into every play — something that will endear him to Celtics fans sooner rather than later.

While it may only be preseason, this is the first glimpse of Edwards vs. real NBA talent. Carrying over his Summer League performances into his first foray among the pros, Edwards has quietly dropped a 31 points with two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block over his first three games while commanding 15 minutes or more in each outing.

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In order to fully appreciate what Edwards has done to stake his claim though, it is better to analyze actual plays he has impressed in, here are three plays — one from each preseason game, where Edwards has shown his potential.

Smart movement leads to 3 points

With 8:29 remaining in the second quarter of the Charlotte Hornets game, Edwards scored his second 3-point shot of the game. Edwards starts the play on the weakside low block, with Jaylen Brown is out on the weakside corner.

Edwards signals for Brown to make a baseline cut and fakes a pindown. Miles Bridges reacts and sees what Edwards is planning — as a result, Bridges stunts on Edwards trying to tag him on his run. It is here Edwards’ IQ shows, he times the stunt perfectly and slips the tag, beginning his run to his shooting spot.

While this is happening, Edwards is being guarded by Devonte’ Graham. In order to get free, Edwards requires some help, Robert Williams duly obliges by setting a solid pindown on Graham. This leaves Edwards free to make his run to the weakside shoulder 3-point line. Grant Williams reads the play and feeds Edwards, who drains the open 3.

Showing his strength

With 11 minutes left in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic, Edwards displays another aspect of his game. The play starts with Edwards at the weakside corner spot. Gordon Hayward has the ball in his hands on the strongside shoulder. Robert Williams has sealed his defender on the strongside low block and is signaling for the pass.

Hayward floats a pass over the top which Williams struggles to control.

Williams fumbles the ball, causing some erratic play near the baseline. Williams does manage to use his length to control the ball before it goes out of bounds, miraculously getting it into Edwards’ path out on the corner. Al-Farouq Aminu is well positioned on the low-help line, closing down Edwards as soon as he begins receives the ball.

Unfortunately for Aminu, Edwards receives the ball on the move and blows by him. Using his speed and low center of gravity, Edwards drives into the center of the paint, drawing challenges from both Terrence Ross and Michael Carter-Williams.

Great body control allows Edwards to turn his off-hand shoulder to shield the ball from Ross as he begins his layup motion, he then continues to show his vertical by leaping into the challenge of Carter-Williams while switching the ball to his off hand to finish the layup at the rim in traffic.

The understanding of body positioning, athleticism and willingness to attack the rim shows confidence on the floor beyond his years. He also displays another facet of his game and by attacking the rim he is enabling himself to work the 3-point game at later junctures in the game due to his ability to keep the defense guessing.

Body control in the paint

There are 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Edwards is positioned on the weakside corner. Matthew Dellavedova is tasked with guarding him and Semi Ojeleye has the ball on the strong side elbow at the 3-point line.

Grant Williams calls the play setting Edwards in motion, Williams sets a strong pindown on Dellavedova, allowing Edwards to get free. Recognizing the space in the paint, he curls off the screen and cuts towards the free-throw line. Ojeleye hits Edwards in motion with a one-handed bounce pass. This allows Edwards to receive the ball in motion and continue his drive.

Cedi Osman reads the play well and switches to drop coverage, meeting Edwards in the paint. It is here Edwards shows his body control again, shielding the ball with his off-hand shoulder by turning his body into Osman.

With the gentlest of push-offs, Edwards is able to stop on a dime, pull-up and hit the fadeaway-ish 2-pointer, displaying a soft scoring touch coupled with the ability to finish over bigger opponents.

Takeaways

While this is only preseason and Edwards has yet to set the world alight, he has shown an ability to score in a multitude of ways. His ability to affect the game from the bench could prove invaluable as the season progresses, providing him with a great building block to improve on in his quest for a regular rotation spot.

It should also be noted that during the game against Orlando, he did get some minutes with the assumed starters — albeit because Kemba Walker did not play in that game.

Regardless of his position in the Celtics’ rotation to start the season, if he can continue to make smart well thought out plays and take high-percentage shots. Then he will be nipping at Brad Wanamaker‘s heels before too long.

Keep an eye on the young guard out of Purdue. He could be one of the steals in this year’s draft.