While the media’s attention during the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff run has revolved around All-Star guard Anthony Edwards, the reason that the up-and-coming Western Conference contender is running rings around the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals extends far beyond what he has to offer.
That isn’t to downplay Edwards’ impact. In fact, the former No. 1 pick is playing a lot like the very man who he wants people to stop comparing him to. Averaging 32.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, Edwards is doing it all during the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Furthermore, while this is his second straight postseason averaging at least 31 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, it’s his first time doing so while shooting 41.9 percent from 3. Simply put, all 30 NBA teams would love to have a player of Edwards’ caliber.
Anthony Edwards Shouts Out ‘X-Factor’ Jaden McDaniels
However, with so much fanfare, the spotlight has come off of his teammates. This is a problem for Edwards. A natural born leader, the 22-year-old often takes the time to compliment his teammates when he’s at the podium. It was no different after Minnesota took Denver’s lunch money in Game 2, winning by 26 points.
“But I do just want to shoutout Jaden McDaniels before I get out of here,” Edwards began.
Anthony Edwards took the opportunity to give huge props to Jaden McDaniels: I do want to just shout out Jaden McDaniels before I get outta here. He’s been phenomenal this whole playoff run and this series in particular. I think he’s like a +51 or something and only probably had 5… pic.twitter.com/ekRF51sqBb
— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) May 7, 2024
“He’s been phenomenal this whole playoff run and this series in particular,” he continues.
“I think he’s like a +51 or something and only probably had five points, took three shots in all two games. And he don’t complain, keep guarding, keep picking up full court. And we wouldn’t be the team that we are today, we wouldn’t have been the team we was in the regular season. Hopefully we can keep him out there and he keeps playing like that because that’s the x-factor of the team. Everything he brings, we thank him so much, man. So big shoutout to Jaden, for sure.”
Understated Impact
Jaden McDaniels isn’t an unsung hero in the traditional sense.
The wider NBA world has known what he’s capable of defensively since last season. Nonetheless, there are aspects of his game that may go unappreciated. Not so much his willingness to pick up ball-handlers full-court or his desire to guard the opponent’s best player but his sacrifice on offense. Though McDaniels isn’t thought of as a scoring threat, he’s averaged 10.7 points per game over his past three seasons. He’s not destroying opposing defenses, but that’s a mark to be proud of as a role player. Furthermore, it shows that he can make a consistent impact on both ends, although he remains a defensive specialist.
In the 2024 NBA Playoffs, McDaniels has averaged 10.3 points per game. That’s not far off his regular season contributions. However, against the Nuggets, McDaniels is averaging 2.5 points per game. More focused on his defensive contributions, the four-year pro has taken 14 total field goal attempts after two games. Among the Timberwolves’ rotation players, McDaniels ranks fifth in field goal attempts, sandwiched between Nickeil Alexander-Walker (15) and Mike Conley (13).
More of a lockdown defender than event creator, McDaniels hasn’t generated a lot of blocks or steals. But when a player is so good at that end that players pick up their dribble or turn down their shots, it’s another type of chaos. That’s the type of defense McDaniels is playing.
Jaden McDaniels defense on Jamal Murray pic.twitter.com/LwzGqAEoW8
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) May 5, 2024
Jaden McDaniels + Nickeil Alexander-Walker defense on Jamal Murray GOOD LORD pic.twitter.com/z11pnZAJJc
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) May 7, 2024
As the Timberwolves look to take a commanding 3-0 lead against the Nuggets, they’ll need not just their stars but players who star in their roles, like McDaniels.
Ironically, that’s what’s made Denver one of the top teams over the past three seasons. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic is the one in the limelight and understandably so. Yet, players like Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope matter much more than many may believe due to their defense and ability to impact the game without the ball.
