The Warriors did not value Anthony Edwards’ preparation for the 2020 NBA Draft. He’s finally made it to the top, after years of hard effort.

Edwards addressed reporters at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ media day about a pivotal pre-draft workout with Steve Kerr and Golden State Warriors staff that changed the course of his career.

At least that’s what I told myself. When he arrived, I was in the middle of a series of drills, and he kept interrupting me with comments like, “That’s all you got?” And you think that’s all you’ve got? And I was like, “Bro, I’m going hard as you want me to go. I’m not sure what you’re expecting of me. ‘I’m sweating like a pig,'”

The Warriors then treated Edwards to dinner, where they told him they wouldn’t have picked him No. 1 overall because he “didn’t work hard enough.”

The scouting done by Golden State could be susρect. After all, they selected James Wiseman at number two, passing over All-Stars LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton in favor of him. Edwards was inspired by their strategy, though.

 

 

“Me and my trainer riding home after dinner and we’re just talking like we’ve got to pick it up,” Edwards said. We have to pick it up; I don’t know how or what to do, but we do. Later on. At the gym, I lost my mind.

There are no bitter feelings between Kerr and Edwards, who had a successful FIBA World Cup under Kerr’s tutelage with the Warriors. Edwards stated of the naysayers, “They played a huge role in where I am today.”

Now 22, he’s a rising star who signed the rookie agreement for the most money with the Minnesota Vikings. To quote Kerr, he is “unquestionably the guy.”

Edwards’s incredible success at the World Cup may have been fueled in part by Kerr’s competition. The original plan for Edwards on Team USA had Cameron Johnson starting and Edwards coming off the bench. Kerr revealed to Edwards that he planned to have Wade serve as a reserve while Kobe Bryant started for the 2008 Redeem Team.

The young Timberwolf was not having it and told The Athletic, “He said Dwyane Wade came off the bench when Kobe played.” I figured, “Okay, we don’t have a Kobe, but okay.”

Edwards was a starter for Team USA by their second practice. And he was practicing very, very hard.