Latest news with #BasketballNetwork
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
"Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer" - Anthony Edwards promises to bounce back after another WCF heartbreak
"Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer" - Anthony Edwards promises to bounce back after another WCF heartbreak originally appeared on Basketball Network. After being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards doesn't want to perceive this defeat as one that badly hurts. Advertisement Despite making it as far as the WCF for the second straight year, only to be sent home again, "Ant-Man" views getting back to this stage as a fun challenge that he mentioned he's going to fully commit himself to doing again next season. "I'm going to work my butt off this summer. Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer, I'll tell you that much. I'll try to make it happen again for Mike [Conley]," said Edwards. Hurt for a different reason The 6'3" guard singled out his teammate Mike Conley — who sat beside him at his postgame presser — because he knows that the 18-year veteran's time in the league is about to end. Edwards values the 37-year-old point guard a ton because they've shared a close relationship over the last three years. The former Buckeye, in particular is viewed as the leader of this Timberwolves team. Advertisement But outside of feeling like he let his leader down, the three-time All-Star isn't going to wallow in the disappointing series that Minnesota had. If anything, the 23-year-old superstar feels they got what they wanted, which was to just get to the playoffs and try to wreak havoc, especially after their turbulent regular season. "We thought it was going downhill. We thought it was over for us at one point, it got real bad. Then we got hurt. But like Mike said, we turned it around, and I remember having that conversation like we just got to get to the playoffs, then we'll figure it out. So yeah man, we did pretty good this year and we just came up short again. We'll try to do it next year," said Edwards. Related: "I just got tired of hearing it and just thought it was best for me to move on" - Patrick Ewing admits he regrets leaving the Knicks out of spite It's about getting to OKC's level One of the reasons why Edwards isn't also angry about losing to the Thunder is because he's accepted the fact that they were simply the better team in the series. It was OKC's defense in particular that Ant felt they couldn't solve on top of them, simply just being the sharper team in terms of adjustments, IQ, and game plan. Advertisement "It's not frustrating because it's part of the game. Like I said, they're a really good team and everyone here knows it. It's no surprise that this team is pretty good. They were ready. They're very prepared, like I said before, well coached from top to bottom," said Edwards. It seems Georgia product has said the right things, from giving the team that defeated him their flowers to acknowledging what he and his team need to work on to get better. However, it's also one thing to say something rather than actually do it, and it'll be interesting to see what happens in Edwards' case. Will he come out next season looking like nobody worked harder than him over the summer? We'll eventually find out. Related: "You gotta be a role model, and things outside the lines matter" - Perkins on why Edwards can't be considered the face of the league This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"His game needs to get to the Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan stage" - Jay Williams shares what Anthony Edwards needs to add to his game to be unstoppable
"His game needs to get to the Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan stage" - Jay Williams shares what Anthony Edwards needs to add to his game to be unstoppable originally appeared on Basketball Network. Anthony Edwards' game often evokes shades of Michael Jordan, but for Jay Williams, athleticism alone isn't enough. He argues that the ability to dominate from the post separates the Chicago Bulls legend. That's where Ant-Man's trajectory must go if he aims to fly in rarefied air. Advertisement "If you keep putting those highlights in a side-by-side box, we're gonna see something that talks about the next iteration of Ant," the ESPN analyst said on First Take. "In every play that you're going to see, it's him at the top of the key, him trying to dance off the dribble, him trying to take long threes. His game needs to go to the Kobe Bryant stage, the Michael Jordan stage." "If Anthony Edwards learns how to play with his back to the basket, the game will be over for the rest of the league," the former Duke Blue Devil declared. The pros and cons Ant has been known for his hops and highlight-reel plays from the get-go and gradually improved as a knockdown shooter from deep. He connected on nearly 40 percent of his 10.3 attempts from deep, almost doubling his rainbow output from the previous season. Advertisement As Edwards vowed to work extra hard this offseason, Williams thinks improving his post-up game should be time well spent. It will do wonders for reading double teams, creating opportunities for his teammates while providing opportunities for him to conserve energy. "You can see the double team coming off the left shoulder; if you're on the right side, you can see it coming off the right shoulder. You can hit pinpoint passes for threes. It actually sets up your teammates a ton better. And by the way, it increases your probability of getting to the free-throw line, and you don't exert much energy on offense trying to dance with the ball, trying to get to your spots," Williams explained. Of course, it would be fantastic for Edwards' game to diversify his portfolio, so to speak. That said, it doesn't come without challenges. Having two non-shooting bigs like Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle could congest the lane, limiting the 6'4 guard's space to operate. While Randle has adjusted better alongside Ant in the playoffs, Gobert's presence might undercut the very advantages a post-up game is meant to create. Moreover, defenses might easily collapse on him, forcing him to take tough, inefficient shots or commit turnovers. It could also detract from the Georgia product's natural strengths in transition and on the move, where his explosiveness is most effective. Over time, the physical toll of constant post-play could affect his durability, especially if he's matched against bigger, stronger defenders. Much work to be done Becoming a post-up savant like MJ or Kobe Bryant requires much work and a different mindset. Edwards barely plays in the post, as shown by the stats at Ant averaged only 0.4 post-ups a game in the 2024-25 season, which put him around the 26th percentile. Additionally, he scores only 0.86 points per possession in these opportunities, hitting 30.8 percent of his attempts. Advertisement Meanwhile, "The Black Mamba" and "His Airness" practically lived in the post, especially during their later years. Bryant even sought guidance from Hakeem Olajuwon to further refine his skills from that part of the floor, while Jordan's mid-post fadeaway was just as beautiful as it was deadly. If Edwards decides to embrace Williams' advice, he will be playing the long game. He must integrate new habits into his rhythm and figure out how to make them work with the personnel around him. However, as he continues to evolve, there's no harm in adding another weapon to the arsenal, especially one borrowed from the greats. Related: "Nobody's going to work harder than me this summer" - Anthony Edwards promises to bounce back after another WCF heartbreak This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"There were days where, oh man, he had some flashbacks" - When aging Hakeem Olajuwon made Rockets teammates look clownish in practice
Very few players have had the chance to play alongside an NBA legend like Hakeem Olajuwon. For Walt Williams, however, that rare opportunity actually came true during the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons. In a 2021 exclusive interview with Basketball Network, Williams shared what it meant to be teammates with the then-veteran Olajuwon. Advertisement The former 6'8" swingman made clear that this experience was more than just soaking in the aura of a basketball icon. Even though "The Dream" was nearing the end of his legendary career, he still, at times, displayed moments of the incredible skill and dominance that had marked his prime. Olajuwon's battle with Father Time When Williams joined the Houston Rockets around the turn of the millennium, he found himself sharing the court with a mid-30s Olajuwon. At that advanced age — "The Dream" was 36 when their first campaign together began — the effects of a long career were becoming evident. This is common among veteran players but even more so for centers, whose bodies take a lot of toll from the countless battles under the basket. Advertisement As Walt recalled, Hakeem — undeniably one of basketball's all-time great big men — was no stranger to that. Dealing with age-related health problems, the former 12-time All-Star often needed medication just to breathe, his former teammate said. For example, Williams recalled seeing Olajuwon use an inhaler device to take medication and sometimes use steroids to help open his lungs. During their two seasons together, Hakeem's impact clearly lessened. He still started regularly, playing over 25 minutes per game, but his stats showed his physical decline. The Finals MVP-level performances were gone; the seven-footer averaged modest numbers by his standards: just over 11 points, nearly seven rebounds, and only a few blocks and assists. "He just wasn't at the same level that he had been at," said "The Wizard." Advertisement Still, even though the magic faded in official games, glimpses of the old Hakeem appeared occasionally. In scrimmages and behind closed doors, as Williams — who made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1993 — remembered. Related: "He's not a Hall of Famer, but he was on that next level" - Bob Ryan on a role player who was never recognized as the Celtics' X-factor in the 80s Turning back the clock Widely seen as one of the most skilled players in footwork, "The Dream" raised the bar for agility and deception in basketball. His moves weren't just accurate — they were smart. He mixed smooth fakes with quick changes in direction that left defenders confused, almost as if they were facing a completely different style of play. Even in his later years with the Rockets, there were times when much younger, fitter teammates struggled to keep up with that. Advertisement "There were days where, oh man, he had some flashbacks, and it was just amazing to see," recounted Williams. The now 55-year-old remembered how Hakeem could shrink the entire court to a small space near the basket, making defenders look "clownish" during practice. How did the future Hall of Famer do it? With a series of moves that flowed smoothly — from a hook shot to an up-and-under, then a pump fake and a sudden shift — that always seemed rehearsed but were still impossible to guard. "I mean, you could just tell exactly what the next move was gonna be," remembered "The Waiter," adding that defenders still couldn't do anything about it, finding themselves stuck "in the matrix." Those rare moments of brilliance showed exactly why the 1994 MVP, who led the team from "H-Town" to back-to-back championships, is still remembered as a true legend. As they say, real greatness never fades. Related: "I'm glad I did, too" - Hakeem Olajuwon on why he stopped Houston from trading him to the New York Knicks
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ivica Zubac reflects on breakout year, Jokic battles, and more in Basketball Network exclusive
Ivica Zubac just wrapped up the best season of his NBA career — one where he broke personal records, logged heavy minutes, and held his own against the league's elite bigs. The Los Angeles Clippers' center finished second in Most Improved Player voting, came in sixth in Defensive Player of the Year and quietly led the entire NBA in both total offensive and defensive rebounds, all while averaging career-best 16.8 points on an elite efficiency. In an exclusive conversation with Basketball Network, "Big Zu" opened up about the team's underdog mentality coming into the season, playing alongside James Harden and going toe-to-toe with Nikola Jokic, whom he believes is the best player in the Association. Advertisement Oh, and he let us in on a not-so-secret truth — Lakers fans still haven't forgiven their front office for letting him go so easily. Q: At the start of the season, many people had the Clippers as a play-in team at best. Paul George was gone in the offseason, Kawhi Leonard's availability was uncertain, and James Harden's MVP days seemed behind him. From the inside, how did you guys experience that perception? Did you feel underrated? Absolutely. I mean, come on, everyone sees social media, everyone knows the narrative around us. We saw how many projected wins they gave us. We were aware of it. People overlooked us, no doubt about that. It was definitely a motivation for us. We knew we could be a good team based on our roster and the players we had. However, we didn't expect Kawhi to miss that many games early on — we thought he'd be back sooner. Advertisement But from day one of training camp, we built a defense-first mentality. We knew we had to be aggressive on defense and become one of the best defensive teams if we wanted a shot at the playoffs. That mindset carried us. On top of that, we had the extra motivation of being underestimated by pretty much everyone. And deep down, we knew we had more talent and quality than people gave us credit for. Everything clicked, and in the end, the regular season turned out to be a success — 50 wins. Not many people saw that coming, especially considering Kawhi missed around 40 games. So yeah, I'd say the regular season was a success. Q: It was indeed a success, both for the team and for you personally. This is now your second season playing alongside Harden — what's it like playing with a player of that caliber, and how has he made your job on the court easier? Especially with those pick-and-rolls that you worked to perfection. A lot. I've never had a point guard who's so pass-first. I mean, Harden is more known as a scorer, but at this stage of his career, he's really focused on being a playmaker — getting everyone involved and making things easier for the whole team. Advertisement From day one, when he joined us, he'd pull me aside and say, "Come on, let's go do 20 minutes of pick-and-roll against the coaches, just 2-on-2." They'd switch up coverages — sometimes trap, sometimes hedge, drop, or switch. We'd read the defense and play against it. And we did that every day for 15–20 minutes. You could see the results in the games — we had answers for any kind of defense thrown at us. We were ready for everything. Beyond just the pick-and-roll, he knows exactly where I like to get the ball — which side of the post, that pocket pass — he finds me there. He watches a lot of film, and he knows every guy's preferences: where they like to get the ball, what kinds of shots they're comfortable with, which defenses they excel against. That's what he brings us more than anything. That might be his most valuable trait. He's incredibly smart, understands what works for each player, and tries to simplify the game for everyone around him. Q: At first glance, he might come off as nonchalant, but whenever someone talks about Harden, it's nothing but flowers for the former MVP. Yeah, yeah, before he joined us, there was a lot of talk that he wasn't a hard worker, that he was a bad teammate — but it's actually the complete opposite. I can't believe that's what people were saying. He's the total opposite. A hard worker, one of the best teammates I've ever had, and it's a joy to play with him and share a locker room. Advertisement Q: This season was the first time you played over 30 minutes per game (32.8). Was that mainly due to injuries and a lack of available players, or did Ty Lue and his coaching staff let you know before the season that it was going to be that way? They had already signaled that back in last year's playoffs, when I started playing over 30 minutes and the offense began running through me more. For the first time, they really went to me in the post, and that's when it became clear my role would grow. After the season ended, the GM, the team president, and Ty Lue all told me the same thing — that I'd have a bigger role, that I should prepare for it and be ready. And when we didn't re-sign Paul George, it really opened up opportunities for other guys to step up. I mean, you have to make up for the 25 points he was putting up, and that gave the rest of us more shots, more responsibility. I knew going into the summer that the situation would be like that. So I prepared accordingly — I worked all summer on my post game, knowing I'd be getting a lot of touches down low, and I focused a lot on conditioning and strength training because I knew I'd be playing a lot more minutes than in previous years. Q: At what point, when you entered this season with the expectation of stepping into somewhat of a leadership role, did you realize you were having the best season of your career — not just a very good stretch — but that you were actually one of the most consistent and best centers in the league? From the very first game, I could feel things were going to be different — that I'd be getting more touches. I opened the season with three straight 20-point games, and that was the first time in my life I started a season like that. That's when I realized things had shifted, that I was going to have more opportunities. Advertisement I understood that with those minutes and that many low-post touches, plus more shot attempts, I had to fully commit to recovery and strength to survive the entire season. I really focused on that. You go through stretches where you're so exhausted you don't even care who you're playing against or what's going on—you just want to finish the game. So, I felt early on that it was going to be different after those first three games, and from that point, I completely changed my mentality and some of my habits to adapt and handle the pace. Q: It was clear from the start, and by the end, in a way, that recognition came too. You finished second in the Most Improved Player race, sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and there was even talk about your first All-Star nod. Yeah, I hoped I would win it (MIP). After the All-Star break, when I got that week off, I caught a bit of a second wind. I felt better physically, and that's when I was able to take another step and elevate my game to a new level. Q: Just like the entire Clippers team, it felt like you guys shifted into a higher gear after the All-Star break and started building momentum for the playoffs. Yeah, in those last 20 to 25 games, we really looked good. It could've ended better, but hey... that's how it goes sometimes. Advertisement Q: At the trade deadline Bogdan Bogdanovic came in — one of the guys from the same region as you, from the Balkans. On social media, it looked like you two really clicked. What was the dynamic like when he arrived? Bogi was great for us. As soon as the trade happened, he messaged me on Instagram, like, "Send me your number." He reached out right away. When he got to L.A., we went out for a drink immediately… We didn't really know each other that well before; we weren't close or anything, but we slowly became really good friends. We hang out every day — sometimes at his place, sometimes at mine. On the road, we were always together, going to restaurants, spending time — we really did spend a lot of time together. And we had good chemistry on the court, too, even though we had never played together before. We understood each other's game well. The Clippers didn't just use him as a shooter — he handled the ball a lot in pick-and-rolls, and that's where we really clicked. It felt like we had been playing together forever. He gave me a lot of confidence, and I think I did the same for him. It's tough when you're the only guy from your part of the world, surrounded by all foreigners, without someone who speaks your language. It's just different when you can sit on the bench with someone, vent in your own language, and get real feedback from someone who gets it. He helped me a lot, and I'm sure it was good for him too. I'd really love for that to continue. Advertisement He's a great guy, and the vibe around the team really lifted when he arrived — he was truly great for us. I hope we can keep that going next year as well. Q: He definitely brought a lot to the team, and for you personally… I mean, he "gave you" your first career triple-double against Houston. What was that feeling like? Was it planned for him to finish the play with that shot? We were up by a lot, I already had nine assists, and there were about two minutes left when Ty Lue wanted to sub me out. And that's when I told him, me and whole bench stood up, "Let him get the triple-double." Normally, he doesn't like doing that. Earlier this season, against the Lakers, he benched me when I had 21 points and 19 rebounds. I asked him if I could stay to get one more rebound, but he didn't want to, so he gave me this one as a reward. Advertisement We ran a play for me to post up because they were double-teaming me, so I could kick the ball out to someone and get an assist. But the Rockets threw the ball away, it went out of bounds, and I told Bogi, "Bogi, I'll give you the ball, just shoot it no matter what, try to score, but just shoot it..." We had players on the court who don't usually play. They were cold since they just came in. I said, "I'm giving you the ball, just shoot and see what happens." He set a screen for me so I could grab the ball out of bounds and then came back. I handed him the ball, he rose up over the defense, everyone knew he was going to shoot — it was a really tough shot. The ball spun around the rim and somehow went in. I was really happy. I never expected to get a triple-double, but I'm really glad I did, and that last assist was for him. He made that shot. I even have the game ball engraved... One of the best moments of this season for sure. Q: There's one player who normalized the triple-double from the center position. Let's touch on that bitter part of the season — what was it like playing a seven-game series against Nikola Jokic? Knowing everything would go through him, how hard was that night after night? It's tough. Especially when you're playing 35-40 minutes in the playoffs, when the game slows down, and most of the game is half-court basketball instead of transition. You know everything's going to go through him even more than usual, and that's seven games. Honestly, it was really hard. In my opinion, he's the best player in the league, and every possession, every defensive play, you have to give 100%. Advertisement He's very strong, so it's physically demanding. You go through defensive challenges that no other center usually faces. He handles the ball in pick-and-rolls, they set pindowns for him, flare screens, he plays in the post, works from the elbow, and even 1-on-1 from the free-throw line. You really face a million things that centers normally don't have to deal with. You have to completely change your mindset and philosophy about how you defend as a center, just to try to contain him. So it's both physically and mentally very demanding. You can't relax for a second, you always have to think ahead. You know every play, you know what's coming, and you have to be ready for everything. It's really tough. Q: So, he's definitely the hardest player for you to guard? Yeah, definitely... As a center, yes. I don't count guards because I don't usually switch onto them — that's a different story — but as a center, he's definitely the hardest to defend. Because he really puts you through things you don't face against anyone else. The defensive rules against him are completely different. Q: That series against the Nuggets was a war. What do you feel was the deciding factor in those series? Was it the Aaron Gordon's put back dunk? Well, I think that's it. We were up 2-1, and I think that game was the turning point because we really started that game poorly. After the third game, there was a lot in the media, their players said they were injured and having problems, and that's when we saw we had to come out strong because they looked ready to give up... Advertisement They took a 22-point lead, but we came back. If the game had lasted maybe a minute longer, I think we would have definitely won, but unfortunately, a fraction of a second kept us from overtime. When they won that game, it gave them confidence, a boost of momentum, and everything changed. It's a shame — that was our best chance in Game 4 to break the series. Q: Where do you place Jokic on the all-time list of players and centers? Hmm, it's hard to say. I've never played against those other guys we usually count among the top 5 centers — like Shaq, Hakeem, Kareem... Considering everything Jokic has achieved — a championship, three MVPs, Finals MVP, so many All-Star appearances, First Team, All-NBA selections — I think he's definitely in the top 5 centers, maybe even higher. Advertisement I wouldn't dare rank him among the greatest players ever just yet, because he's still in his prime, has a lot of basketball left to play, and will win many more awards and honors. So maybe I'll be ready to do that at the end of his career. But for sure, he's already top 5 among centers. Q: Since we're on the topic of individual awards, who do you think will win the MVP — Shai or Jokic? I think Shai will take it this year, but I'd vote for Jokic. I believe Jokic had the better individual season, though Shai is really an excellent player. I played with him during his first year with the Clippers, so I'd be happy for him if he wins, but individually, I think Jokic had the stronger season. Who votes, I don't know how that will go… The whole season, there's been talk about Shai. It wouldn't be wrong if either of them wins — both deserve it. I'd definitely give my vote to Jokic. We'll see, but I think in the end it'll be Shai. Advertisement Q: Since we're talking about those first years with the Clippers, do you think the Lakers regret giving up a center like you? Because it seems like you are exactly the type of player they're missing right now. I know the fans definitely regret it... Every day when I go out, at least once a day, I hear about that trade and Mike Muscala... This is Lakers city and most people here are Lakers fans, so I hear about that trade every day. How they wish I was still on the team, how I'd be perfect for them now since they don't have a center. But for me, it worked out well. Back then, I didn't play much there, I didn't have much of a role, and then I got a much bigger role — I was a starter from the start with the Clippers. So in the end, it turned out great for me. Whether the club regrets it now, I don't know, but I do know the fans do. Q: Hardly anyone predicted this kind of playoff scenario in the NBA, but now that only four teams remain, who do you see as the winner? From the regular season, I really liked Indiana. The way they played, and they actually beat us both times we played this year — they're a really good team and well put together. I'm not sure if it's enough to win it all though... Advertisement The Knicks are good, too. They're a typical playoff team that relies on 6-7 key players — veteran playoff guys with experience. Then you have Oklahoma, which dominated most of the regular season, but Denver pushed them to seven games, so they're not unbeatable. Minnesota — I'd give them the least chance. But I don't know, I think this is the year everything has opened up for Oklahoma. They were like Boston or Cleveland during the season, out of the playoffs, and now their path to the title seems open. We'll see how they hold up after that seven-game series against the Nuggets. They're in rhythm, and that matters. If I had to pick, I'd put my money on Oklahoma. But I wouldn't be surprised if any of these teams won, and there's a reason for that. There really isn't a clear favorite. We will keep an eye on "Zu" Zubac's growth—both as a player and a leader—was one of the brightest storylines in a Clippers season full of twists and overachievement, but unfortunately, it ended in heartbreak. While individual accolades came just so close, it's clear his eyes are still locked on bigger goals. And if he keeps trending this way, there's no doubt he'll get there — we'll be watching.
