Anthony Edwards Now Has a New Read to Master

LaMelo Ball can reduce Anthony Edwards’ burden, but the partnership will work only if Edwards learns when to attack immediately and when to let the advantage travel through a second playmaker.

Anthony Edwards has spent much of his rise carrying two jobs at once. He has been Minnesota’s primary scorer and, too often, the player responsible for beginning the action that creates his own shot.

The arrival of LaMelo Ball changes that equation. Ball can advance the ball with the pass, see cutters early and force defenders to account for a creator before Edwards touches it. That should allow Edwards to receive more possessions against a defense that has already shifted.

The Catch Is Different From the Dribble

An isolation beginning from a standstill gives the defense time to load toward Edwards. A catch after Ball has penetrated or moved the defense is different. Edwards may receive the ball with a closing defender, an open driving lane and a big man still recovering from the first action. The correct response may be one hard dribble rather than six.

Defenses Will Test Their Patience

Opponents will try to turn the partnership into alternating isolations. They may switch the first screen, stay home on shooters and invite either guard to attack alone. Minnesota’s counter must be continued movement: re-screening, cutting behind ball-watching defenders and using Edwards as a screener so that the defense cannot simply load two bodies in front of him.

The Leadership Test

Edwards does not become less important by giving up early control of a possession. He becomes more dangerous if he receives the ball after someone else has created the first crack. The next stage of his development is recognizing that the best stars do not dominate every touch; they dominate the decisions those touches force.

What to Watch Next

• How often Edwards catches the ball after Ball has entered the paint.
• Whether Minnesota uses Edwards as a screener to create switches and short rolls.
• How quickly Edwards attacks a rotating defender instead of resetting the possession.
• Whether his late-game energy improves when he carries less initiation duty early.