Anthony Edwards appeared to be off his game recently. His former coach at Georgia, Tom Crean, noted how his demeanor suggested he was not playing at his best.

As they approached Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers in his team’s playoff series, Crean reached out with a video message, telling Edwards, “You’re a heck of a player no matter what. But when your joy is front and center, you’re basically unguardable and unstoppable.”

These words sparked a change in the 23-year-old, who played freely—showing the charisma and confidence that’s often likened to Michael Jordan’s.

In Game 3, after a tying score at 103-103 and 4:37 remaining, Edwards spearheaded a significant 13-1 run, scoring important points and demonstrating strong defense, leading the Timberwolves to a 116-104 victory.

LeBron James even enjoyed a light moment with Edwards during the game amid the intensity, indicating how contagious the young player’s energy had become.

Following his impressive performance with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, Edwards credited Crean for emphasizing the need to play with joy. “Big shoutout to my college coach, Coach Crean, man. He texts me every day to remind me of that.”

Edwards maintained this joyful approach throughout the playoffs, leading to his team advancing further in the competition.

Crean’s ongoing support and reminders are pivotal as Edwards develops his game. The coach believes sky is the limit for Edwards, noting he has the potential to be an All-NBA caliber defender and improve on offense.

Despite facing challenges, such as boredom during less competitive moments, Edwards has learned to embrace the pressure and expectations, improving his gameplay each time he’s on the court. [ As Crean observed, “There’s more in there.”

In reflecting on their time together, Edwards mentioned, “When we had him, he was very much more concerned about his performance, but now he is locked into winning.”

As Edwards continues to shine, the enduring relationship with Crean underscores the importance of having mentors who provide honest feedback. It’s this combined focus on joy and improvement that sets Edwards apart in today’s league.