Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is more than qualified to make comparisons between Team USA’s Anthony Edwards and a Miami legend, which just happens to be Dwyane Wade.
When the USA assistant was asked if any player on the roster reminds him of NBA legend Wade, Spoelstra was quick to praise Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards.
“It’s hard not to look at Anthony Edwards and not see Dwyane Wade in him,” Spoelstra said on CNN Philippines. “And I’m not a guy for comparisons. I’m not. But the way he moves, the way he competes, the way he electrifies a crowd, yes that reminds me of No. 3, and I have told Anthony that. I feel like I’m going back in time. It’s making me younger again, and I’m really enjoying it.”
Many NBA comparisons get thrown around these days but coach Spo has been at the helm of Miami since 2008, so helped Wade to win two of his three championships and of course, was there for the Big Three era of LeBron, Wade and Chris Bosh.
Edwards is well on his way to becoming a standout of the game and during Team USA’s FIBA warm up games has been their best player.
He recorded 34 points, six rebounds and four three-pointers in their final exhibition game against Germany on the weekend.
In their five games before the FIBA tournament, Edwards also averaged a team-high of 19.2 points per game on 51 percent shooting from the field.
The 22-year-old has impressed more than just assistant Spoelstra.
USA head coach Steve Kerr said after their win against Germany that Edwards is “unquestionably the guy”and believes he is “taking a leap”.
Edwards certainly isn’t modest about his skillset and no doubt will relish being compared to Hall-of-Famer like Wade.
The world will get to see what he’s really capable of when the FIBA Basketball World Cup begins on August 25.