Anthony Edwards did not overcomplicate his answers Saturday, one day before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard, representing USA Stars in the league’s new USA vs. World round-robin format, addressed competitiveness, isolation scoring and even guarding Kyrie Irving.
Asked whether the Olympic-level intensity from the Paris gold medal game could be duplicated Sunday, Edwards was direct.
“No… I mean, that was the Olympics. Yeah. And it’s just that simple.”
When the discussion shifted to criticism that the All-Star Game lacks competitiveness, he offered a similar stance.
“Yeah, it is what it is at this point.”
Edwards also broke down his isolation approach, providing insight into how he reads defenses in real time.
“So, first I’m trying to see what the low man doing. I’m reading the low man,” he said. “So, I’m trying to see if he cleansing. If he doing the 3 seconds, watching the ref he cleanse, I’mma attack.”
He continued: “After that, everything cook cuz I ain’t really worried about the guy in front of me. I’m just watching the low man. If he going to pull over and help, I kick it to the corner. If not, I got a layup.”
That explanation reflects modern NBA spacing principles, where weak-side defenders dictate decisions as much as primary matchups.
On guarding Irving, Edwards welcomed the challenge in a controlled setting.
“Oh, for sure. I can guard Kyrie for sure. Believe that? Yeah, I can guard him,” he said. “In a one-on-one setting, I like me.”
He acknowledged the difference in five-on-five action.
“The only thing about it is like when it’s a five on five setting, it’s so much going on like I got to chase him around. Ball screen DHO. I’m cool on all that.”
Edwards also shared advice for a young player about skill development.
“You can have a million dollar move and a penny finish. So, you got to be able to finish a play.”
The All-Star guard was asked about becoming the future face of the league with LeBron James nearing retirement.
“Man, them folk got Wembanyama. That what they got going on. They got Wembanyama. They’ll be all right.”
On James’ eventual retirement, Edwards admitted: “I might cry a little bit.”
He also credited mentor Tom Green for his growth.
“Super important. I mean, ou know, he’s a big film guy, so after every game he send me clips of film, what I could what I could have did better and what I did do pretty good.”
During a lighter exchange, he named Lou Williams, Vincent Banks, Jaylen Brown and Collin Sexton on his Mount Rushmore of Atlanta hoopers, adding: “Them boys, they was some they were some killers in high school for sure.”
