“I’m still the No. 1 option. Y’all might look at it differently. I don’t look at it no differently.” These were Anthony Edwards‘ words after the USAB’s first practice. This reflected the same brash young man everyone saw during the NBA Playoffs last season. But for Edwards, being the same is an afterthought. Rather, he wants to change.

The offseason is all about change, and that’s changing for the better. Adding new tools to the arsenal becomes imperative and staying one step ahead of your opponent is the ultimate goal. For Ant-Man, that would be a bit difficult this time due to his Olympics commitment. But Edwards probably won’t lament over it for long.

After missing over a month of action since the playoff exit to the Mavs, it took some time for Ant-Man to get back in playing condition. Gym work and added sessions after practice were key to achieving the desired conditioning and during the match against Canada, that showed. That led to Anthony Edwards recently opening up about his bitter-sweet again this offseason. “It’s tough. I feel like playing is a little better than trying to add things. But it’s definitely going to be tough that I can’t add something I want to,” Edwards said. Apart from his shooting game, the focus for Edwards is how he can have a better output when facing his post. The off-season would’ve been given a perfect opportunity to add to that, but Edwards is now facing this problem due to his USAB outings.

But he has something equally worthy of instilling in his game. “Replacing it with playing with these guys, playing against the best in the world, I think I’ll be all right,” the Timberwolves guard concluded. For obvious reasons, playing alongside the best in the league and against the best in the world will provide Edwards with something extra to enrich his ball game. Sharing the court with Kevin Durant is also a bonus and both of them are looking forward to it.

Anthony Edwards looking forward to play with “Idol” Kevin Durant

It’s been just a few months and surely Anthony Edwards’ trash-talking to Durant still lives fresh in the memory. The two locked horns in the playoffs first round in the Western Conference. Edwards proceeded to sweep the Suns and sent KD home, which he declared with pride. But now they are teammates and it’s all about staying on the same page. With Durant injured, he has yet to take an active part in the preps. But that did not stop him from evaluating what Anthony Edwards brought to the table.

“It’s been great being around Ant,” Durant said. “He’s like a sponge. He also has a lot of knowledge himself. … So he fits right in. I’m looking forward to actually getting on the court with him and being his teammate.” The feeling is mutual as the 22-year-old is also looking forward to link-up with his favorite player on the hardwood. “The only thing I’m looking forward to doing is playing alongside Kevin Durant,” Edwards said in an interview to Yahoo Sports. He further added, “Definitely still got butterflies there waiting for that to happen, because I’m ready to see the Olympics K.D.”

The USAB will take the court again on July 15 against Australia in Abu Dhabi before playing Serbia on 17. Ant will have more chances to showcase and perhaps soak in some moves on the court. But the most invaluable lesson for him would be the experience he’ll gain throughout the campaign.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video