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3 young players to watch during the 2022 NBA Playoffs

By Richard Nurse

Nov 1, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Bones Hyland (left) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Bones Hyland (left) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Playoffs
PORTLAND, OREGON – JANUARY 25: Dennis Smith Jr. #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Moda Center on January 25, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Young players to watch in the 2022 NBA Playoffs: Anthony Edwards, 20 y/o

"“His name is Dwyane Wade,” Anthony Edwards said on ESPN after his 2020 Klutch Sports Pro Day. “I look on the TV and say I can be that guy or better than him.”"

Anthony Edwards was cocky, uninterested, and did not take basketball seriously. Those were the crafted narratives of him before the Minnesota Timberwolves made him their 2020 NBA Draft selection at first overall.

As a 19-year-old, he was pretty laid back and unfazed by the criticism of his pre-draft quotes. This was the same calm that he showed when someone like Jimmy Butler went face-to-face with him just to push his buttons.

What he did, instead, was turn around and let his game talk through aggression.

Edwards put up a decent percentage from the midrange (35.2) this season, and serviceable numbers from three (35.7), but the youngster thrives when he can attack the restricted area (62.7). This is where he normally goes through or above his opponents. He has the highlight posters to prove it.

And who can forget the way he maneuvers off of pick-and-rolls to weave his way to those takeoff points. For those wondering, those smooth slithers are part of the reason why the Dwyane Wade comparisons were being heaped on him by the former Miami Heat star, their former coach Tom Crean, and scouts, alike.

Edwards quickly quieted the questions with his play and won pundits over through his knack for being a postgame quote machine. Now the question is, can he translate this into postseason stardom and success in Minnesota?