It was a sure thing. The Denver Nuggets were going to seal the deal in Game 7 of the second-round playoffs. The Minnesota Timberwolves may have had unpredicted success, but there was no way they would stand a chance against the defending champions and the ‘Joker’. That was the narrative until Anthony Edwards pretty much turned into his alter ego Kermit Wilts of the popular basketball film Hustle. 

Then again, he doesn’t have to. Edwards as the Ant-Man is doing all the talking for himself. Many have described him as a natural-born genetic freak owing to his incredible athleticism and phenomenal dunks. But of course, that’s not all he does. Ant isn’t just a fancy basketball player who loves to show off his spectacular vertical and highlight dunks. Well, maybe the showing-off part might be true. Anthony does love a big stage and an electric crowd!

Throw in some NBA big fish into the mix and the Wolves superstar will give you a matchup to remember. One such game is the upcoming Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Western Conference Finals. After the TWolves’ stunning victory, Anthony Edwards made his intentions clear. “My matchup is going to be Kyrie, so it’s going to be fun. We’re going to see what I can do versus him,” he had said.

But Gilbert Arenas and his crew at Gil’s Arena believe Edwards might have just bit off a little too much than he can chew. In their latest podcast episode, the ex-Warrior said, “The fact that you [Anthony Edwards] challenged him means his engine’s on.” He further explained that Kyrie Irving is a player that the opponents want to stay “docile.” 

Kenyon Martin jumped right in the boat with Arenas. “You [Ant] going to come out that aggressive and he gonna make you touch earth,” Martin stated enthusiastically. ‘Uncle Drew’ has never failed in humbling all his opponents who thought they could take him on. But that’s not all that is driving the veteran star guard this time.

Anthony Edwards has his work cut out for him as Kyrie Irving has all the motivation he needs and then some

The last time that Irving stepped foot in a Conference Finals stage was in 2017. Finally, he is back, after a seven-year-long wait. 2017 was a turning point for 8x All-Star. Kyrie decided to step out from under LeBron James’ shadow. It hasn’t been an easy road, in the least. From hate comments, insults from hecklers, and controversial issues, Kyrie Irving could be the personification of polarizing. Yet, he battled it all.

Pretty much on the straight and narrow now, the Australian native shares the spotlight with Luka Doncic in Dallas as the franchise hopes to get a ring. Locked down on defense and heeding the call on offense when his team needs him, Irving has been nothing short of a perfect teammate. And that, according to Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, is Kobe spirit.

“Kyrie walks about with the Kobe spirit … He’s calm, he’s confident, he’s leading, he ain’t got a bunch of extra stuff with him. He’s been about basketball. I love his peace… We all go through a process and go through a growth. And now we’re seeing a mature Kyrie that is electrifying,” Garnett said in the latest episode of the Stephen A. Smith Show. 

Electrifying for everyone who’s watching, sure, but definitely not for Anthony Edwards and Co., wouldn’t you say? What are your thoughts on Kyrie Irving and Edwards matchup? Can the ANT pull off the stunt against one of the best ball handlers in the league? Share your opinions with us below.