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We had Wembsday leading up to Victor Wembanyama’s draft. Do we need a Cooper Flagg Friday? Flaggday?
Ant Man = Captain America: Edwards’ Team USA takeover
Over the weekend, Team USA trailed by as many as 16 points against a formidable Germany squad and seemed poised for its first loss of the exhibition tour preceding the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Fortunately,the Americans went on to win 99-91because of two big reasons:
1) Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton checked into the gameto help lead a two-way charge by Team USA, culminating with a punctuation dunk by Reaves (who’s having one heck of an offseason) to end the game and leading to an unbelievable photo of the two in the moment.
It’s not quite Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, but it’s probably a 7 out of 10 on that scale. It was reminiscent ofZion Williamson celebrating that RJ Barrett dunk when they were at Duke.
(Joe Murphy / Getty Images)
2) Anthony Edwards is ‘the guy.”
As Joe Vardon outlined following Team USA’s final tune-up before the World Cup, Steve Kerr had high praise for the Timberwolves guard. Edwards had 34 points in this matchup and has provided Team USA big stretches whenever the squad needs a lift.
“He’s unquestionably ‘the guy,'”coach Steve Kerr said.“I mean … he knows it, but now the team knows it, and I think the fans see it. But we see it in practice every day. He genuinely believes he’s the best player in the gym every single night. And he’s such a dynamic young player, but I think he’s taking a leap.”
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This could be true global notice that the 22-year old Edwards is the future of USA Basketball – and opponents are in trouble without a plan to stop him.Team USA has questionable size to win this World Cup, but the Olympics are still Team USA’s most-prioritized global tournament.
More interestingly, what does Edwards’ Team USA evolution mean for Minnesota? Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns remain question marks for this franchise. The trio of Edwards, Gobert and Towns only played in 26 games last season (13-13). They were a net positive on the court with a tremendous defense and an atrocious offense.
Edwards blossomed into an All-Star last season, but the steps in his basketball growth should make the Wolves question if their current core can maximize Edwards’ potential. I believe Edwards to be Wolves-proof. Meaning? His talent will make him immune from normal Wolves dysfunction.
This season, they’ll assess whether their trio works together — health permitting, of course. From there, they figure out how to build around Edwards. He’s the guy for Team USA, the Timberwolves and every new fan he’s captivated this summer.
Greatest PG Ever?: Steph makes his case
Big thanks to Gilbert Arenas and Josiah Johnson for continuously providing offseason content through Gil’s Arena – an internet show churning out viral clips.The latest one hit our timelines Monday morningwhen Arenas had Steph Curry on the show and asked him point blank, “Are you the best point guard ever?”
Steph took a beat, looked up and said, “Yes.”
Arenas nodded a bit, maybe a little surprised at the matter-of-fact nature of Curry’s answer, which was followed by Curry confirming it’s him and Magic Johnson in the conversation. Everyone laughed in agreement. Arenas admitted not being around for Magic and made the point about seeing today’s kids copying Curry’s style of play, saying we don’t see that so much with people trying to be 6-9 point guards.
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While technically true, there aren’t many 6-9 kids out there to mimic Magic. We’ve seen plenty of big men who can handle the ball and make plays: Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber and even Kevin Durant. Magic and Larry Bird are the biggest reasons for that – with a dash of influence from Marques Johnson, who should be in the Hall of Fame. But, if anything, doesn’t that speak to Magic’s historical uniqueness?
Regarding respective résumés, it’s crazy how close Curry is to matching Magic’s accolades. Curry even references Magic’s résumé as “ridiculous.” Here is a tale of the tape:
Magic made nine NBA Finals appearances in 13 pro seasons. The reasons he ever missed the Finals vary: a knee injury one year (1981), a team-wide identity crisis in another (1986), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s retirement (1990) and Magic made a surprising end-of-season comeback in 1996 after his HIV diagnosis led him to miss the previous four seasons. Otherwise? His teams were always chasing titles.
Curry has had a stellar career and established himself as one of the 10 best players ever. His impact will be felt for decades. But Magic’s greatest stretch was better than Curry’s greatest stretch.We’ll never see another like Magic or Curry, but Magic remains in his own class.
Happy Flagg Day: Cooper Flagg keeps showing out this summer
The SLAM Summer Classic took place this weekend in New York City, in which the top high-school players were honored in a fun showdown. It’s mostly an All-Star Game level of competition and defense, but it does eventually get spicy.
CooperFlagg’s team was down to the final possession of regulation and trailed by three points. The 16-year oldFlagg, who has become arguably the top high-school sensation this summer, wanted the ball with a chance to tie the game. He got it, took a stepback 3-pointer andsent it into overtime.
🔥 25 PTS
🔥 Buzzer beater to force OTCooper Flagg showed OUT at the SLAM Summer Classic! pic.twitter.com/gTpKkVu4UE
— NBA (@NBA) August 20, 2023
Cold-blooded.Flagg has reclassified to the 2024 recruiting class, and many believe he’ll play at Duke. He’s making a case for himself as the top overall pick in 2025, when many teams will hope he will fix their squad
Bounce Passes
Hall of Famer David Aldridge is ranking offseasons.Did the Nuggets blow it?
James Harden doubled downabout his Daryl Morey beef.
How does theNBA’s scheduling czar even begin to create the league’s schedule?
Lamar Odom wasjust trying to celebrateTeam USA butgot bullied into buying a bigger TV.
Can the 76ers go get Kawhi Leonardin free agency next summer?
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The Knicks are suing the Raptors for stolen proprietary information.An actual lawsuit in court!
Tom Ziller’s top 23 players not on Team USAin the FIBA World Cup.
Screen Game Homework
Last Friday,we reviewed “He Got Game” from 1998. This week, we’re heading to the old time of the 70s with 2008’s “Semi-Pro” in a fun ABA throwback comedy. It stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson and Andre Benjamin.
You can watch it on Hulu, if you want to do some homework ahead of Friday’s review. We’ll figure out if basketball comedies can be done well.
(Top photo of Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry: Andrew D. Bernstein / Getty Images)
Zach Harper is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the NBA. Zach joined The Athletic after covering the NBA for ESPN.com, CBS Sports and FRS Sports since 2009. He also hosts radio for SiriusXM NBA and SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio. Follow Zach on Twitter @talkhoops
