Anthony Edwards Calls Out Timberwolves: "We’re Soft and Disconnected!"
2024-11-28
Author: Ying
In a postgame storm of emotions, Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards didn't shy away from voicing his frustrations following a devastating 115-104 loss to the Sacramento Kings, marking the Wolves' fourth consecutive defeat. After blowing a comfortable 12-point lead in the final seven minutes, Edwards unleashed a potent critique of his team's struggles this season.
The defeat pushed the Timberwolves to a lackluster 8-10 record, with a disheartening trend emerging: they’ve dropped seven of their last nine games, often repeating a pattern of falling behind but failing to maintain momentum when it mattered most. Against the Kings, Minnesota was cruising with a 98-86 lead with just over seven minutes to play before collapsing entirely, allowing the Kings to dominate with a staggering 29-6 run to end the game.
"We looked like front-runners for sure tonight," an aggravated Edwards stated. "When we’re down, nobody wants to say anything. But when we’re ahead, everybody's pumped. That’s the definition of a front-runner. We all, including myself, were front-runners tonight."
Despite scoring 29 points, Edwards' performance was marred by inconsistency. Although he started strong, hitting his first five shots, he faltered later, going just 4 of 19 for the remainder of the game. His struggles culminated in a critical moment when he launched a questionable step-back three-pointer while leading by ten, igniting the Kings' comeback.
Taking accountability for the loss, he said, "I’m going to put this one on me. We made all the right plays. If I’m the guy, I’ve got to make those shots down the stretch. I missed a couple of shots and they made theirs."
The Timberwolves entered the season with high hopes, especially after making it to the Western Conference Finals last year. However, the major trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo appears to have disrupted team chemistry, leading to widespread frustration among players.
"We're soft as hell as a team, internally," Edwards lamented. "It’s not about the other teams; it’s about us not being able to communicate. It feels like we’re playing like a bunch of kids who can't hold a conversation. We have to figure it out because going down this road isn’t an option."
The Wolves have struggled on their current four-game homestand, losing the opening two matches to the Houston Rockets and the Kings, highlighting a lack of defensive resilience and alarming fourth-quarter collapses. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, the team will face the LA Clippers next, desperately seeking a turnaround.
"I'm trying to figure out what to say to get everybody on the same page," Edwards expressed. "Right now, everyone seems to have different agendas, which I believe is a significant reason we’re losing. The fans can see it too; their frustration is palpable. It’s heartbreaking to be booed on our home court."
Moreover, the players themselves acknowledged the necessity of rekindling a lost connection that has plagued their performance this season. Edwards, known for his typically upbeat demeanor, couldn’t hide his frustration over the team’s inability to address their issues and reintegrate as a cohesive unit.
"We’re just so negative right now. In past years, we were different," Edwards concluded, visibly upset. "We’ve gradually grown apart, which is bewildering considering we’ve mostly stuck together. Just look at us now."
As the Timberwolves seek to regain their footing, one thing is clear: drastic changes are needed – not just on the court, but also in the team’s mindset and communication. Fans are left wondering if the Timberwolves can rally together and overcome their struggles before it becomes too late in the season.