Anthony Edwards looks poised for a breakout 2023/24 NBA campaign and the Minnesota Timberwolves plan on taking full advantage of the explosive 22-year-old guard.
Despite his best efforts to dismiss the narrative of him emerging as the new face of the Minnesota franchise, Edwards is undoubtedly the team’s most exciting prospect and expectations are sky-high when it comes to what he can deliver this upcoming season.
Back in Abu Dhabi for the second time in as many months, Edwards raised his profile globally with a solid stint on Team USA at the FIBA World Cup over the summer, and has already experienced the atmosphere at Etihad Arena having played a couple of exhibition matches with his national side in August.
He returns to the UAE capital with an ambitious Wolves team that will take on the Dallas Mavericks in two pre-season games on Thursday and Saturday at Yas Island’s impressive venue.
With Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert both fit for training camp, and Edwards ready to take the leap, Minnesota have every reason to believe they can improve on their 42-40 record from last season, where they made the play-offs but lost in the first round to eventual champions Denver Nuggets.
“He certainly has that within him,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said on Wednesday when asked about Edwards being primed for a big season.
“Every year he’s gotten a little bit better, a little stronger, a little more consistent. We’ve all seen what Anthony can do and when you want to be a great player you have to do it night in, night out and that’s his challenge now, he’s got to do it for 82 games.”
Edwards says he learned a lot from his time with USA Basketball, “really just seeing how guys work on their game, how other team’s best players work on their game, how serious they take their craft. I think that was the main thing, just seeing that. I like that”.
He recently revealed a story about how some harsh criticism pre-draft from Steve Kerr, the coach of Golden State Warriors and USA Basketball, helped Edwards overhaul his approach and improve his work ethic.
“That was probably the most influential thing I’ve ever heard in my life. As far as to myself, he told me I wasn't working hard enough and that kind of made my edge a lot stronger,” said Edwards.
"Ant-Man", as he is famously known, says talk of him being the face of the franchise “should stop” but his teammates certainly believe in the hype.
“I can say he’s going to be one of the best players in the league, if he’s not already one of the best players in the league,” said Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley.
“He’s got the mentality for it. Aside from the skillset, we know what he can do skillset wise but his mental [strength] is beyond a lot of guys I’ve ever met.
“So for a young guy – I don’t know if he’s 21, 22 years old – but he’s got a lot on his mind that he wants to accomplish and there’s nothing that’s too big. I don’t think anything is too big for him as far as goals or accomplishments, he thinks he’s going to get every one of them. So with that mentality he can be as good as he wants to be.”
Several other players on the Timberwolves roster spent a portion of their offseason on international duty at the World Cup, including Gobert and Towns.
Towns picked up a calf injury 21 games into the 2022/23 NBA season, missing most of it before returning in March. He’s in a far better place now, coming off a strong showing with the Dominican Republic and is excited to get back on court with his Minnesota crew.
“Being in the World Cup gave me a little head-start, getting some of the rust off, playing some meaningful games early on, that helps a lot,” said the 27-year-old centre.
“This week, it’s a great chance to grow as a unit, experience new cultures, new values, new people, and also a chance to get our season off to a right start.”
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
RESULTS
5pm: Watha Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Dalil De Carrere, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Pharitz Al Denari, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mahmood Hussain
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Oss, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: AF Almajhaz, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: AF Lewaa, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)
Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)
Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
