Within a year of making it to the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards is back on the same stage. The Minnesota Timberwolves experienced a major shift with the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. Still, Edwards was unshaken. He’s shown great maturity in being acceptive of help and transformed his mentality in his quest for success. But what shifted his mindset?

Grant Hill witnessed Edwards’ electric rise a season ago. He felt Ant “was trying to do everything himself”. But the Orlando Magic legend was aware that Edwards would find a different gear once he experienced being at the Olympics.

Like Edwards, Hill was once the youngest guy on the 1996 Olympics team. But instead of being hit by the nerves, he saw it as an opportunity. Anthony Edwards capitalized in a similar way, closely observing the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.

The chance to learn the formula from the greats helped Hill transform his game. And he predicted Edwards would go through an identical transition.

“I was the youngest player on that ’96 team. I just finished my second year in the NBA, and I knew that Anthony Edwards was going to be the youngest player on this 24 Olympic team. And I know how beneficial that experience was… I was only hoping that the same thing would happen for Anthony. And so I think there’s a confidence, there’s a resolve, there’s just a feeling like, you know what, I did that. We did that. I can do this over here,” Hill said on Edwards’ ‘The Next Step’ docuseries.

The influence clearly rubbed off on Edwards. His confidence grew manifold as he enjoyed one of the best regular seasons of his young career. Like Hill’s evolution after his Olympic, he saw a similar development in Edwards.

“He reads the game better, and it just comes with a comfort level of being that guy that carries that burden and that responsibility. And for Ant, this might have been his first time winning something on this kind of stage,” he said about Edwards.

Additionally, he also developed a special trait. Ant-Man led the league in three-pointers, averaging a career-high 10.3 attempts per game. You may not have to guess the player from whom Edwards was inspired in this area.

Anthony Edwards couldn’t leave Stephen Curry’s side

Right after the Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors in the second round, Anthony Edwards took time to share his gratitude for his rival. “I told Steph I was working with him all summer. Big shoutout, big credit to him. He influenced me to be able to shoot the ball really well, so I went back in the summer and started working on it,” he said about the Chef.

During the Paris Olympics, Edwards didn’t just follow Kevin Durant. Inside the gym, he was monitoring what Stephen Curry’s routine looked like. His documentary featured a snippet of them working out together, with Edwards going through the Warriors talisman’s regular workout.

Grant Hill sort of knew this would happen. “I think naturally with Steph and Ant there was a mutual respect, you know, just from afar,” he said about their dynamic.

Like any other NBA player, Anthony Edwards was marveled when Curry took over in the Olympic finals against Serbia. The four-time champion even taught Ant how to pop a champagne as Team USA celebrated their victory.

But in the shadows, Anthony Edwards took more than just a gold medal. He took with him a pool of knowledge from the savants of the game. Stephen Curry’s influence might be glaringly visible. However, Edwards’ maturity grew by watching his senior peers prepare with the sole purpose of winning.

He has a chance to do so with the Timberwolves. The franchise has never won a championship in its history. They view Anthony Edwards as the beacon who could fulfil those dreams once and for all. With the insights he has managed to pick up, he stands just eight wins away. Do you think Edwards can achieve an NBA title this season? Let us know your views in the comments below.