Race between Cole Anthony, Anthony Edwards at top of 2020 NBA Draft starts now

Defense and intangibles

Cole Anthony edges here largely due to how he consistently competes. Perhaps this is due to being more battle-tested,  on account of the difference in age and great competition he played against in high school. The NBA pedigree shows in his work ethic and preparation as well. During conditioning tests at UNC, he won the 12-minute team run, reportedly by a wide margin.

With his pedigree, it is clear he has been prepped to be a complete player, one that plays on both ends of the floor consistently. Coach Roy Williams described Anthony as such to the New York Post:

"“There’s not one thing that stands out because everything stands out. He’s maybe the best rebounding point guard that I’ve ever seen.”"

He’s proven to be a superior defender to Anthony Edwards as well thus far, as he gets in a stance and guards more consistently. While it should always be taken with a grain of salt, I love the way he attacked on the All Star circuit last spring.

He was clearly looking to deliver a message, winning MVP at the McDonald’s Game, Jordan Classic and most impressively at the Nike Hoop Summit (where they do compete). The Hoop Summit saw him go back and forth with and eventually best Arizona freshman point guard Nico Mannion, a potential top-10 NBA Draft pick in his own right.

That competitiveness is what I expect to carry him through a long and prosperous pro career.

Here he is taking a charge in international play while his team is leading by 73 points:

Anthony Edwards is still further from his ceiling defensively, both due to effort level and just how special he could be on that end. He has every desirable tool for an all-world stopper (length, strength, lateral quickness, hands) but does not yet consistently engage like he could, often standing and watching.

Even in his effusive praise of his franchise player above, his coach mentioned that his motor needs work.