Despite leading last season’s rookie class in points per game (19.3) and minutes played (32.1) while appearing in the entire 72-game season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Edwards failed to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. That honor went to Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball, who led the league’s rookies last season in assists per game (6.1).
“I don’t care about that,” Edwards told NBA.com. “I’m happy ‘Melo got it. They were saying our Draft class wasn’t going to be good, anyway. So, it didn’t bother me that I didn’t get it.”
Edwards has other reasons for his apathy about not collecting individual hardware to commemorate his rookie season.
I’m trying to be MVP,” Edwards said. “I’m not really worried about Rookie of the Year.”
Edwards stressed he has not envisioned what his second season will actually look like, stressing the old-age adage of approaching the season “just game-by-game, day-by-day.” Besides, Golden State’s Stephen Curry or Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant will likely have a rebuttal toward Edward’s MVP aspirations. But Edwards’ bold ambitions underscore a larger point.
To prevent a sophomore slump, Edwards developed a consistent offseason and in-season routine.
How did Edwards spend most of his summer days? He lifted weights in the morning to maximize athleticism and strength in his listed 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame. He completed two-a-day training sessions to fulfill two purposes. He took countless free-throws, 3-point shooting and floaters in hopes to improve his shooting range and consistency. He also completed various drills that entailed going downhill and attacking the basket. In between those training sessions, Edwards went bowling with close friends and insisted he won the majority of those games.
This marked a stark contrast to how Edwards prepared for his rookie season. Because of pandemic-related restrictions, Edwards never had a summer league or an extended training camp to practice. As Towns mused, “we just put him on the court and said, ‘Figure it out.’”
“It has made a difference for me just because I never really had a routine,” Edwards said. “I’m just starting one. It’s big for me. It’s given me structure.”
Since the season started, Edwards has stayed just as disciplined in between practices and games. He reports to practice early enough both to receive treatment and squeeze in a workout. Following practice, Edwards completes more shooting drills before receiving more treatment and a massage.
“I hope that takes my game to the next level,” Edwards said. “I hope it helps me make my team (better) and take my team to the next level.”
Perhaps it will, but it also has led to some initial hiccups.
“He came into this season wanting to show the benefits of all of his work in the summer time,” Finch said. “But he forgot who he really is and what makes him so dynamic.”
“I don’t care who I’m going against. I’m not worried about them,” Edwards said. “But I would say the one I was looking forward to going against was Kevin Durant. He was my favorite player.”
Those exchanges both capture Edwards’ confidence and lack of filter.
“There’s not a lot of [BS] to him,” Finch said. “He keeps it pretty real with himself and his teammates. He’s not afraid of the moment. His habits are getting better.”
One area that does leave Edwards feeling a little insecure: how to emerge fully as a leader.
“It’s hard. But I feel like I’ve been a leader since I’ve been playing sports,” Edwards said. “Just because we got older guys so it’s like, ‘they’re the leaders right now.’ But I’m slowly, but surely, emerging.”
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