Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards exited Crypto.com Arena with a message to the world after his squad’s 103-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Ant-Man, Batman, Superman … Lakers in five!”
“Lakers in five” has become a buzzword in the NBA community. Popularized by ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe, many fans cited that the Lakers would win their first-round playoff series against the Timberwolves in no more than five games — Los Angeles’ top-end talent of LeBron James and Luka Dončić would overwhelm the Wolves.
Yet, it was Minnesota that won the series in five.
As a lifelong Timberwolves fan, you become almost pessimistic by nature. I’ve seen consecutive losing seasons, an over-decade-long playoff drought, and heartbreak after heartbreak. But these past two seasons have been different. A Western Conference Finals appearance last year and championship hopes this campaign have fans turning their attention north. The Wolves are back, and in large part due to Edwards.
“The best player in this series, with James and Dončić on the basketball court, is a 23-year-old with a $200+ million contract playing like he broke … I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, he is a shark in blood-infested waters,” said Stephen A. Smith in his declaration of Edwards’ superstar status.
In his fifth year in the NBA, Edwards has taken a massive offensive leap. He was once viewed as just an athletic phenom,and while he still is, “Ant” has improved his jump shot to an unforeseen level and led the league in 3-pointers made this season. In the Wolves’ first-round matchup against the Lakers, Edwards also showcased his discipline as a playmaker. He didn’t force shots, played with pace and control, and dished out 6.2 assists per game throughout the series. Ant still got his buckets, of course, averaging 26.8 points a night against Los Angeles, including a 43-point outburst in Game 4. Yet, it wasn’t just Edwards who helped Minnesota to the second round.
Jaden McDaniels was instrumental in the Timberwolves’ dismantlement of the Lakers, being the primary defender on Dončić and a constant rim attacker on offense. Fan-favorite Naz Reid provided timely baskets as always, and veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. delivered a momentum-changing block on James in Game 3. Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each played like starters off the bench. Julius Randle continued to rewrite the notion of him being a “playoff faller” with emphatic effort on both ends of the court. Rudy Gobert stole the show in Game 5, as the four-time Defensive Player of the Year went for 27 points and 24 rebounds against a center-less Lakers group.
With a possible generational star at the helm and a mesh of supporting talents, the Larry O’Brien trophy is the goal for the Timberwolves — no matter who the internet says wins in five.
