The NBA has always been a league where teammates uplift and admire each other. From LeBron James crediting Luka Dončić’s current skillshow with the Los Angeles Lakers to Stephen Curry acknowledging Draymond Green’s defensive brilliance, players often shine a light on their teammates’ excellence.
Now, the same spotlight is on Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, whose mix of intensity and charisma has drawn praise from his teammate, Donte DiVincenzo. Despite racking up $320,000 in fines this season, Edwards continues to dominate games while keeping fans and teammates locked in on his performance.
Donte DiVincenzo Has the Ultimate Praise for Anthony Edwards
DiVincenzo, in an exclusive interview with “RG,” offered a look into what makes Edwards special.
“He is in a conversation of his own. He’s so dynamic, and I think the thing with him is, he’s adding something to his game every single year. Everybody knows him for getting up, dunking on people, getting downhill. Then he came in this year with a mindset of working on his 3-ball, and next thing you know, he is setting records within the franchise in one year,” said DiVincenzo of Edwards.
DiVincenzo also spoke about Edwards’ rare ability to balance winning basketball with a sense of fun that keeps the locker room loose. But in this case, entertainment means the 23-year-old shooting guard keeps the energy high for the team, not just the fans.
“It’s fun. I think every single day, he keeps entertainment within our whole team. But he also keeps a level of focus. I think with him being only 23, it’s remarkable to be around that,” added DiVincenzo.
Edwards experienced his most enjoyable game this season in a high-energy contest against the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 4. In that game, his teammates fed off his joy as he lifted the group with his attitude and performance. Edwards scored 53 points, shooting 51.6% from the field, including 10 of 15 from 3-point range, and added six rebounds and two assists.
The crowd stayed hyped watching him throw down dunks, toss in playful trash talk, and celebrate big plays with confidence.
While Edwards has become the face of the Timberwolves, DiVincenzo is making his own mark. The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 11.8 points per game while shooting 39.4% from 3-point range. His defense and floor spacing have made him a strong fit next to Edwards’ explosive offense.
As the season rolls on, one thing is clear. Edwards isn’t just a highlight machine — he’s a leader who blends showtime with a serious drive to win. But while his teammates are all in, some veterans aren’t handing out praise so easily.
Los Angeles Lakers Veteran Jibes at Edwards
Edwards recently earned Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 32.7 points per game. But during an appearance on Byron Scott’s “Fast Break” podcast,
Lakers legend Magic Johnson took a jab at Edwards. And Johnson, who has always spoken up about respecting the game’s history, didn’t hold back.
“Don’t attack all the old-school guys when you haven’t done your homework. First of all, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dr. J [Julius Erving], Clyde Drexler, David Thompson, even before all of them! They could all fly. So slow down, bro. Slow down. That’s why I had to hit him with the reality check. I said, look, man, talk to me when you’ve won something,” said Johnson.
That response came after Edwards made comments in an interview with Lane Florsheim of “The Wall Street Journal” last year, where he downplayed the skill of past NBA players.
“I didn’t watch it back in the day, so I can’t speak on it. They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don’t think anybody had skill back then. Jordan was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean? So that’s why when they saw Kobe, they were like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But now everybody has skill,” said Edwards.
Under Edwards’ guidance, the Timberwolves hold a 41-31 record and the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference currently. However, he may want to acknowledge the impact of NBA legends who came before him. As he climbs higher in the league, respecting that history could help strengthen his own legacy.