The Minnesota Timberwolves have been the surprise of the season. Currently, they have the first seed in the Western Conference, with 53 wins and 24 losses, and at the forefront of the team’s success is their 22-year-old star, Anthony Edwards. Ant-man‘s on-court performance has often drawn comparisons to icons like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

However, many believe that to replicate their success, the young all-star may have to branch out from his current team; particularly from teammates like Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. NFL legend Shannon Sharpe shares the same opinion in the latest episode of ‘Night Cap’.

“As great as Ant-Man is, he doesn’t have what Kobe had, which is a prime Shaq,” said Sharpe. Kobe and Shaq played together for 8 years, winning three consecutive NBA championships. The two were considered the dominant duo, unparalleled, and probably why Sharpe makes his point.

The Hall of Famer illustrates his point by saying, “Look, I like Kat, but Kat(Karl-Anthony Towns) and Rudy Gobert together ain’t Shaq.” Thus, highlighting the urgency of Edwards to find a new big man to pair up with for a legitimate chance at greatness. “Ant-Man, like you said, he’s 22. Okay, well, you would have to put him with like a Joel Embiid because Joel Embiid can play on the block.

“Kat don’t really tryna play. Kat tryna say, ‘I’m the best shooting big man, I’m the best shooting big man ever.’ And Ant-Man says, ‘Get your a** down here,'” says Sharpe.

But all these trade talks, that’s just Sharpe because Edwards is not ready to move an inch away from Minnesota. His commitment to not be tempted to join the marquee franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks can traced back to his high school days. Undeniably one of the top highschool basketball recruits, blue bloods like Kentucky, Kansas City, and others were vying to get Edwards into their programs. However, Edwards chose University of Georgia to stay close to his family.

Just two months back, in an interview with the Wolves Star, Edwards confessed that he would want to stay put with the Timberwolves, “Hell yeah, I ain’t going nowhere. As long as they don’t trade me, we good.” In fact, his business manager Justin Holland describes his commitment to the Timberwolves as “unwavering.” Apparently, the way Edwards understands his role with the long-suffering franchise is he would want players to come there and play with him to win a championship rather than switching to the “superteams.”

It’s certainly an interesting proposition to pair Edwards up with Embiid. Their play styles are drastically different and can complement one another. While Edwards is described as a tough shot-maker, Embiid is known for his offensive versatility. However, currently, The T-Wolves’ success has been due to the trio.

The Wolves success with Anthony Edwards, Kat, and Rudy Gobert

In terms of winning percentage, when Ant has played alongside KAT and Gobert, the Timberwolves have enjoyed remarkable success. They’ve secured 39 wins and 18 losses, resulting in a 68.4% winning rate, according to Statmuse. Despite this, their depth is evident as they’ve earned 14 wins and 6 losses, achieving a 70% winning rate when the trio isn’t on the court together. Nevertheless, it was their collective effort that initially established the team’s sustainable rhythm.

This season, 3-time Defensive Player of the Year,  Gobert leads the league with a defensive rating of 103.9, while Towns ranks third with a rating of 107.8. This places the Timberwolves’ big men as the best defensive combo in the league statistically. Additionally, Edwards ranks sixth in the league with a defensive rating of 108.6, further solidifying the team’s defensive prowess.

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With three players among the top ten in this highly regarded category, it’s no wonder the Minnesota-based squad has risen to prominence as one of the league’s top teams. Can they keep this up in the postseason? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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