At the 2020 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors held the second overall pick, a prime position to secure a promising young talent for their roster. Among the prospects they evaluated was Anthony Edwards, who would eventually become the top pick of that draft. Recently, Edwards shared some fascinating insights about his pre-draft workout with the Warriors and a brutally honest critique he received from none other than Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
An Eye-Opening Workout
Anthony Edwards, now a star for the Minnesota Timberwolves, recalled his experience working out for the Golden State Warriors during his draft year. Speaking at Timberwolves media day, Edwards revealed that Kerr didn’t mince words during his workout, expressing skepticism about Edwards’ work ethic.
“I thought I was working hard,” Edwards began, “When he came, I was going through drills, and he kept stopping them, like, ‘That’s all you got? That’s all you got?’ And I’m like, ‘Bruh, I’m going as hard as you want me to go. What do you want me to do? I’m sweating like crazy.'”
High Expectations in the Bay Area
Kerr’s critique didn’t stop there. Edwards went on to describe a dinner with Kerr and Bob Myers, the Warriors’ team president at the time. During the meal, Kerr delivered another dose of brutal honesty, emphasizing that if the Warriors had held the first overall pick, Edwards wouldn’t have been their choice.
“He’s like, ‘Man, you’ve got to see Steph, KD, and Klay work out,'” Edwards recounted, “They still were continuously telling me, ‘You didn’t work hard enough. If we had the No. 1 pick, we wouldn’t take you.’ And I was just like, ‘Damn, that’s crazy.'”
Timberwolves’ Top Pick
Ultimately, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, believing in his potential and work ethic. Since joining the Timberwolves, the Atlanta native has made significant strides in his career, averaging 21.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in the NBA. Last season, he put up a career-high 24.6 points per game, earned an All-Star nod, and helped lead the Timberwolves to the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
A Bright Future in Minnesota
This summer, Edwards and the Timberwolves solidified their commitment to each other by agreeing to a five-year maximum contract extension, potentially worth up to $260 million. The extension ensures that Edwards will remain a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.
As one of the rising stars in the NBA, Edwards now faces heightened expectations. With his lucrative contract extension and rapidly evolving game, he’s expected to lead the Timberwolves to deeper playoff runs, potentially breaking through the second round.
While the memories of Steve Kerr’s brutally honest workout critique may linger, Edwards has proven that he has the talent and work ethic to thrive in the NBA. The future appears bright for this young star as he continues to make his mark in the league and aims to take the Timberwolves to new heights.
