2024 Playoffs- 3rd Round: Minnesota Timberwolves - Dallas Mavericks- MAVS WIN 4-1!

[Smitty]

This is EXCELLENT analysis, and I agree - if Edwards is boxed into the areas SGA was in the previous series, he'll perform much, much worse than SGA did. 

But part of that is that SGA likes those areas. Those are the areas he wants to play from, and he didn't have the physicality to get deeper, anyway. Edwards does NOT want to play from those areas, and he DOES have the physicality to do something about it. 

I am reminded of a scene from the movie Seabiscuit (not a great film, but I remember weird stuff, just the way I am). They were preparing for the big show down with War Admiral, and the trainer is trying to convince the team that Sea Biscuit might be better off trying to race from in front for the duration, rather than the come-from-behind strategy that had worked up to that point. He said something about War Admiral like "once we let that big monster loose, we'll never catch him." I think there might some shock and awe coming in the near future if/when Edwards gets his entire game going. It's impressive. 

But yes, I agree with you. If the Mavs can keep him contained, he isn't experienced enough to hurt them the way SGA did. That's such a big ask though, over a 7-game series. 

What a great series to watch!

ANT will singlehandedly win them a game in this series imo. He's that good. I expect the Wolves to play with more physicality tomorrow night. I think they have Conley guard Kai but blitz him in the PnR, that way they can keep ANT fresh for offense. He's the one that stirs the drink for them on that end.