From the confusion of the Olympics to the collapse of the Western Conference Finals, how far is the gap between Edwards and SGA?

At the end of the Western Conference Final, some people were honored as gods and some people fell.

SGA used its dominant performance of 31.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists per game, to weld the labels of "MVP" and "super giant" on its body; however, Edwards went from a "new generation of talkers" to a "wrongest king of Western Conference Finals" - averaging 23 points (28.2% of three-pointers), 3.2 turnovers, and 1 of 7 consecutive key battles, with a straight "half" reputation.

The Timberwolves made it to the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years, which was originally a surprise that "exceeded expectations"; but Edwards' "high-end game awkward" + the team's salary explosion turned this surprise into "disappointment".

Edwards' "fatal shortcomings": technology + mentality, "military training" by the Thunder until collapsed

The Thunder's defense against Edwards can be called "textbook-level targeting" -

Close-fitting press + double-teaming: at least two people in each game "attached defense", someone must fill the position in the breakthrough route, and there will always be a center guard under the basket. Every time Edwards breaks through, he has to face 2-4 people surrounds, and the offense depends entirely on "hard resolution";

puts the ball and does not make a breakthrough: when pick-and-roll, he resolutely makes a three-pointer, forcing Edwards to singles, using his physical confrontation to consume his physical strength;

without the ball "inseparable": Even if Edwards has no ball, the defender will press on the whole process and prevent him from receiving the ball easily. What about the result of

? Edwards' offense was completely "deformed" -

3-pointers were poor: 11 of 39 in the series (28.2%), 1 of 7 in the last two games; inefficient breakthroughs: 10.2 breakthroughs per game (5th in the league), but due to double-teaming, the shooting percentage was 47.1% (5% lower than the regular season); turnovers surged: 3.2 turnovers per game (1 more than the first round), and many key battles were "shoe-lace balls" and "cut".

What's more serious is the collapse of mentality. Under the Thunder's high-intensity defense, Edwards went from "breakthrough madman" to "bottom corner squat god" - G4 and G5 were squatting in the bottom corner for a lot of time, and did not dare to take the initiative to ask for the ball, and his expression was confused.

This reminds me of last year's Olympic semi-finals against Serbia - 13 minutes 2 points 2 turnovers, and the US team was beaten to climax 14:2+9:0. The key battle "Don't dare to fight" is Edwards' most fatal weakness.

vs. SGA's "super giant lesson" has just begun.

is also a "new generation". SGA's performance in the Western Conference Finals taught Edwards a lesson:

Technical Comprehensiveness: SGA can not only break through (10.8 breakthroughs per game, 58% shooting percentage), but also shoot three-pointers (36.7%), mid-range (48.1%), and run without the ball (2.1 blank cuts per game). Where is Edwards? 74.1% of the three-pointers are "ball-holding shots", running without the ball is stiff, and attacking means are single;

Mentality stability: SGA faces the Timberwolves' "targeted defense", and the more they play, the more they play, the more courageous they become (G4 40+9+10, G5 34+7+8). Edwards "grows the more he fights," and dare not take responsibility for the key battles;

Leadership temperament: SGA is the Thunder's "determining needle", connecting the team and ending the game, everything is in action. Edwards is more like a "scorer" and lacks the ability to "control the field" and "drive teammates".

Look at Curry and Wade - Curry is not only the first in three-point history, but also the top-notch breakthrough projectiles and operational passes; Wade's breakthrough hand-action and passing ability are also the "ceiling" of the No. 2 position. Edwards' offense relies too much on "magic ballization" (three-point + breakthrough), and lacks "kaleidoscope" means such as medium distance and no ball.

Timberwolves' "Crown Challenge Window": Salary Explosion + Core Instability, it will be even more difficult for the Timberwolves in the future, not just Edwards.

Salary pressure: Salary is 192 million this season, luxury tax is 95.96 million. Next season, 13 players account for 192.3 million, approaching the "richest line" of 195.9 million. Reed (26 million), Randall (30 million), and Walker (14 million) all have to renew their contracts, but under the huge salary pressure, at least one person has to be let go.

Aging of the lineup: Conley is 38 years old, and his playoff form is significantly declined, Gobert is 32 years old, his defensive efficiency is declining, and the bench lacks youthful vitality. Even if Edwards evolves next season, teammates may be "older" or "weaker".

The championship window is closed: The Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years are the "peak" of the Timberwolves; but the salary explosion + the core is unstable, and it will be difficult to get together "weak brigades" like "Huyong" in the future.

Edwards still has time, but the gray wolf can't wait for

24-year-old Edwards, and still has plenty of time to grow - practicing double-teams, increasing offensive methods, and stabilizing mentality, and may still become a super giant in the future. But the Timberwolves' window for championship may not be able to wait for that day.

This summer, what the Timberwolves need to do is: first convince Reed and Randall to stay (at least 1); then find a "real point guard" to replace Conley; finally, adjust the lineup to avoid salary explosions.

For Edwards, this offseason is a "life and death class" - either evolved into a "super giant" or became a "only talented ordinary star". After all, the NBA stage only leaves a place for those who "can handle key battles".