Just days before the NBA draft, Anthony Edwards, who went Number 1 overall, said in an interview that he ‘can’t watch basketball’ and he’s ‘still not really into it’. In an ESPN interview, he explained how football was his first love and he would leave basketball for football instantaneously if he were drafted into the NFL. “You can do anything on the field,” he said regarding the NFL. “You can spike the ball. You can dance. You can do all types of disrespectful stuff.” Whereas in the NBA, officials have become much stricter on rules in recent years. If you look at a player the wrong way or say the slightest bit of trash talk, it can result in a technical foul.
Surprisingly, What Anthony Edwards said didn’t affect his draft spot at all, as he still went Number 1. Personally, I think he was saying this to tank his draft spot a few places so he wouldn’t get drafted by the Timberwolves. But clearly, the Wolves weren’t bothered by his lack of enthusiasm, which I think is a huge red flag. Some of the best players in the NBA, including LeBron and Kevin Durant, have said how much film they watch in their free time as it helps them improve. Vince Carter of ESPN mentioned how in his last year on the Atlanta Hawks, a lot of young guys don’t watch basketball like that’ and he thinks it’s nothing to worry about, however, I would disagree.
If that wasn’t enough of a red flag, Edwards saying he’s ‘still not really into’ basketball and that he prefers football should be. After watching the highlights and film of him, he certainly has the talent to succeed in the NBA, but I don’t know about the attitude.
