Anthony Edwards: Timberwolves’ Game 7 could do for Anthony Edwards what Game 7 did 20 years ago for Kevin Garnett

Timberwolves’ Game 7 could do for Anthony Edwards what Game 7 did 20 years ago for Kevin Garnett

It may be hard to remember now, with Kevin Garnett retired from the NBA and honored in the Basketball Hall of Fame, but early in his career, he faced playoff disappointments and a reputation for disappearing in crucial moments.

From 1997 to 2003, Garnett’s Wolves suffered seven consecutive first-round losses, often as underdogs. Despite some valid criticisms, Garnett bore the brunt of blame unfairly at times.

However, everything changed dramatically in the 2003-04 season when he had an MVP-worthy performance and teamed up with Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell to guide the Wolves to the top seed in the Western Conference.

In a significant shift, Garnett played a key role in securing two series wins, notably shining in a Game 7 triumph over Sacramento that shattered his narrative of faltering under pressure.

KG’s incredible performance of 32 points, 21 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals in a thrilling 83-80 victory that hinged on a missed Chris Webber three-pointer at the last second has solidified his place in basketball lore. I delved into this legendary moment on the recent Daily Delivery podcast.

This marked the pinnacle of success for the Timberwolves until this current season. It’s quite serendipitous that exactly 20 years later, on May 19, 2024 – which also happens to be KG’s birthday – the team will face their only other Game 7 in history against Denver.

KG was just 28 when he delivered that iconic performance; now, Anthony Edwards is a rising star at only 22 years old with much less playoff experience than Garnett had at that age. It may not be fair to expect Edwards to carry the same burden as an MVP like KG did in his prime.

Rest assured, this presents a significant opportunity for Ant, much like it did for KG. While Edwards is already known as a player who performs well in the playoffs, unlike Garnett in his early days, this is a chance to establish a lasting legacy.

Should Edwards deliver a Game 7 performance akin to KG’s and lead the Wolves to victory in Denver on Sunday, it will be a moment etched into the memories of Minnesota fans for years to come. As Ant eventually retires and possibly enters the Hall of Fame, this could be a defining moment.

All signs point to Edwards being prepared for this challenge. Additionally, here are four other key points to consider today: During Friday’s podcast, Kent Youngblood from the Star Tribune joined me to preview the Lynx home opener at Target Center and discuss the WNBA’s remarkable growth.

Patrick Reusse’s column on the Twins’ struggles against the Yankees provided insightful details that added depth to his analysis. The Scottie Scheffler narrative is truly extraordinary. If you have Apple TV access, you can catch the Twins facing off against the Guardians on Friday night.