It wasn’t long ago that Anthony Edwards was being touted as the next coming of Michael Jordan. In short time, he is re-establishing himself as the biggest crybaby east of LeBron James. Speaking with reports, Edwards lamented opposing team’s strategy of throwing double teams at him. Speaking like a true ball hog, Edwards said, “That’s a good brand of basketball, but it’s not how I want to play, of course. I’m only 23. I don’t want to just be passing the ball all night…But the way that they’re guarding me, I think I have to.”
The unbearable weight of being good at basketball is apparently wrought with pain and suffering. At 23 years old, and unable to shoot the ball every time down the floor, Edwards is reluctantly accepting that he has to pass to his teammates. As far as the “Air apparent” is concerned, his generation is the first to deal with double teams. They are at least the first generation where young people had to deal with this unbeatable defensive strategy.
According to AI, the double team originated in the 1980’s to contain Michael Jordan. In reality, the tactic has been used since the invention of the game. Any player who is significantly better than his defender, has seen a help defender join the effort against him. Wilt Chamberlain faced double teams in the 60. His counter to the effort, was being better than any two players in his era combined. If not for double teams, Chamberlain may have averaged 70 points per game.
In the 80’s, Jordan did face a myriad of double teams, but it was hardly the most aggressive defensive tactic used against him. Outlined famously in Sam Smith’s immortal basketball masterpiece The Jordan Rules, the Detroit Pistons used to physically abuse Jordan as a means to slowing him down. According to John Salley, Jordan was to be hit whenever he had the ball, hit harder when he didn’t have the ball, and knocked to the floor any time he left his feet.
Without complaining about passing, Jordan averaged 8.0 assists per game his fifth season in the NBA. Edwards is averaging half of that in his own fifth year. Jordan also averaged 32.5 points per game that season on 53.8% shooting. Edwards is averaging 24.5 points per game on 44.0% shooting. Anyone who ever compared these two, even if they never said it out loud, should be ashamed to talk basketball for the rest of their lives.
In college, Shaquille O’Neal saw triple teams every night, and left early for the NBA, so he could face double teams from professionals. He averaged over 20 points per game for 14 straight seasons under the duress that has baffled Edwards all year. Other players have managed to overcome what the former number one pick is completely perplexed by.
“Them doubling me, definitely it’s like “Bro, what’s going on?” I’m trying to figure it out…I don’t know what to do honestly, but it’s not fun. I don’t wan to look like I’m not trying, or not as good as I am, because I am, but I can’t show it because I’m getting double teamed.” -Anthony Edwards
If only legends like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal were still around for Edwards to ask how they did it. One solution could be asking his contemporaries. Edwards is not the only player in 2025 who is drawing double teams. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.4 points per game this season despite being guarded by an extra defender. It may not be a fair comparison, because the Greek Freak is 30, not 23, so he doesn’t mind passing to his teammates. He is averaging 6.0 assists per game this year.
The San Antonio Spurs feature a player that is 2 years Edwards’ junior, and he faces double teams every single night. Victor Wembanyama beats them to average 25.6 points per game, and almost exactly the same number of assists (3.9) as Edwards. It might be a good idea for the Timberwolves’ prima donna to seek advice from a younger player with less experience than him.
The problem isn’t the double teams, it’s selfishness. Rather than find the open man to penalize teams for the double team, it’s easy to weep to press about the injustices of youth and a $204 million contract bring. He must truly be courageous to complain, rather than work on getting better. Next Michael Jordan? Give me a f***ing break.
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