Chris Finch: Anthony Edwards Must Improve Defence for MVP
Timberwolves coach says Edwards's on-ball load will ease next season, but stronger defensive habits and rotations are key to a real MVP push.
Chris Finch says defence is the missing piece if Anthony Edwards is to make a genuine run at the MVP award next season.
"His on-ball responsibilities in the offence will decrease, and last season that was probably the most energy-draining part of his game. I also think that for an MVP-level season, he needs to add to his defence," Finch said.
The Timberwolves coach also pointed to the team's own scheme as a factor in Edwards's defensive dip. "When we used more aggressive defensive schemes, especially with active rotations, early in his career he consistently handled it well. He may have needed a bit more time to read situations because he was still learning, but overall he was good. When we started using rotations less, some bad habits may have crept back in," Finch said.
Finch believes Edwards, a defender by trade, is capable of guarding bigger opponents, citing his matchups against Zion Williamson and Pascal Siakam as evidence.
If Minnesota returns to the more aggressive rotation-heavy schemes Finch described, that alone may do as much for Edwards's MVP case as anything he changes individually.
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