(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
As coach of Team USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Steve Kerr relied on Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves a lot.
He was impressed by what the young player was capable of and he believed him.
However, that wasn’t always the case.
Speaking with ESPN, Edwards revealed that Kerr once grilled him about his effort and workout process.
According to Edwards, Kerr said: “You’ve got to see Steph, KD, and Klay work out…You didn’t work hard enough.”
He added: “If we had the No. 1 pick, we wouldn’t take you.”
Anthony Edwards credits Steve Kerr for becoming “a madman in the gym.”
He spoke to Jamal Collier about the formative interaction https://t.co/T0o49FISI9 pic.twitter.com/nP4n3dDNTp
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 29, 2023
Edwards said the comments came when he was working out in preparation for the league.
At the time, Edwards was seen as the top pick in that draft class.
Sure enough, he was ultimately selected by the Timberwolves at the start of the 2020 draft.
But if Kerr and former team president Bob Myers had the first choice, they would have passed on Edwards.
The guard admitted to ESPN that he was shocked by Kerr’s words – but they did inspire him.
He and his trainer then met to find ways to push himself more and make Kerr and the rest of the NBA proud.
It apparently worked because Kerr was very supportive and blown away by Edwards during his recent World Cup run.
Edwards posted 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during the tournament.
Although Team USA ultimately didn’t find the success they wanted in the World Cup, Edwards played well and Kerr was very happy with his output.
Kerr was giving Edwards tough love all those years ago and it has definitely paid off.
Now, people are expecting great things from him as he enters his fourth season in the NBA.
The post Steve Kerr Had Big Message To Anthony Edwards After Pre-Draft Workout appeared first on The Cold Wire.