Anthony Edwards’ rise to NBA superstardom has caught the attention of former Slam Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson — and he’s offering pointed advice on how the Timberwolves guard can elevate his game even further.
Speaking with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Richardson praised Edwards’ explosive style and highlighted how rare that brand of athleticism has become in today’s NBA.
“Just seeing the way he plays, the way he attacks the rim — you don’t see many guys like that anymore,” Richardson said. “It’s almost an anomaly.”
Richardson, now competing in the BIG3, believes Edwards stands out in a league increasingly reliant on perimeter shooting. He noted how players like Edwards and Ja Morant bring back flashes of a past era when physicality and rim aggression were more common.
When asked what Edwards should focus on this offseason, Richardson offered a training strategy rooted in simulating physical punishment.
“All summer long we’re working 2 or 3 guys guarding him,” Richardson said. “It’s punching bags, it’s boxing gloves, whatever it is… constantly people wearing on me.”
He drew a parallel to Michael Jordan’s evolution after facing the Detroit Pistons’ bruising defense in the late 1980s. Richardson suggested Edwards should adopt a similar mentality and prepare for the type of defensive attention that will only intensify as his profile grows.
Edwards, 23, is coming off a career-best season. He averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while leading the Timberwolves to their second straight Western Conference Finals appearance. His playoff production remained strong, posting 25.3 points and 5.5 assists per game across 15 postseason matchups.
Over the course of the 2024–25 season, Edwards set multiple franchise records, including most career 40-point games and most three-pointers made in a season. He also became the youngest player in league history to reach 1,000 career threes.
Despite Minnesota’s eventual playoff exit at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Edwards’ postseason included a 43-point performance in Game 4 against the Lakers and a 30-point outing in a dominant Game 3 win over the Thunder.
Richardson acknowledged Edwards’ rapid development and the challenges that come with being the focal point of opposing game plans. His message: now is the time to embrace contact, sharpen endurance, and add even more layers to an already dangerous offensive skill set.
“If he’s successful, he’s really hard to stop,” Richardson said. “Next year is gonna be scary for everybody.”
