X/@TheDunkCentral
The explosive play of Edwards in the fourth quarter saw him beat the clock scoring 30, shooting 71%, and rebounding 9 in a thorough 42-point thrashing of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Word went out on social media about an abnormally efficient playoff game from few people.
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What made the night all the more magical for Edwards? He simply refused to cash in on easy points by going to the free-throw line; he only lined up for two free throw attempts. That little bit tickled the fancy of many in the audience, with numerous observers noting that rarely do the fouls called against star players really inhibit their domination. One person wrote sarcastically, “Check them free throws…he really hacked the three point and paint without contact,” while another gave it the hashtag #ethicalhoops. Comparisons to foul-drawing maestros like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander followed immediately.
Not everyone was burning incense for the occasion. Some Thunder fans attempted to downplay the importance, pontificating that “One game lol we still up 2-1,” referring to Oklahoma City’s lead in the series. Others attacked the NBA itself, with one enraged viewer claiming that “The NBA is rigged as shit” after seeing the complete reversal of fortunes from the Thunder’s blowout wins in Games 1 and 2.
Being an analytic type, someone else argued that free throw starvation meant Edwards was hot rather than lacking in attacking skills. One poster went on, “Just means he was hot. But to be honest that’s not something you want every night…cause it means you didn’t take advantage of easy baskets.”
A heated debate about Edwards’ place among the league’s young stars ensued, with several agreeing that he was above Gilgeous-Alexander, an admission coming even from a Nuggets fan: “I have much more respect to Antony Edwards game compared to flop master sga.” Another would simply say, “Ant man better than sga,” while yet another labeled him “the best talent in the league.”
Some reasons, meanwhile, were directed away from the basketball side. One rail against Doris Burke, the ESPN announcer: “Doris Burke is so atrocious that I watch the games on mute.” Thus, even in blowouts, one could hear cries of discontent over the broadcast.
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Moving into Game 4, momentum completely shifted in preference to the Timberwolves. Whether it will break the 2-1 deficit remains to be seen, but for at least one night, the young Timberwolves star reminded every faithful why so many consider him to be the most electrifying young talent in basketball today. Few players in today’s NBA seize a game that way without depending on the whistles. If Sunday was a sign, Thunder better find an answer soon before he does it again.
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