In the arena of Denver Plateau, nikola jokic is leading the attack, jamal murray is firing wildly, and the Minnesota Timberwolves on the other side are exhausted. Suddenly, a voice penetrated the noise from the sidelines and reached the ears of Timberwolves star anthony edwards. "Come on No.5, come on No.5."
The caller’s name is Justin Holland. He has been Edwards’ friend for many years and is currently his business manager. "When he hears this sentence, he will look back at me. People close to him know this name." Holland said.
On August 2nd, Beijing time, Edwards announced that he would change to No.5 jersey in the new season. He has been wearing No.1 since he landed in the NBA, and Edwards was wearing No.5 in college and earlier stages.
"I want all Timberwolves fans to know that this year I will change from No.1 to No.5, which will be very interesting." In an interview with The Athletic’s famous chams Charagne, Edwards said, "No.5 has always been my number. I always wear No.5 in high school, college and AAU. After being selected by the Timberwolves, I also want to wear the No.5, but because my teammates are wearing it, there is no way, and now the opportunity is coming. "
When Edwards entered the league, Timberwolves’ No.5 was worn by Malik Beasley. He tried to persuade Beasley to change the number, but failed, so Edwards put on the number one. In the summer of 2022, after Beasley was sent away by trade, Edwards hoped to wear the No.5, but he missed this number again because the deadline for applying to the league for changing the number had passed.
In the past three years, Edwards played well in the No.1, and also had a glorious moment of being selected as an All-Star, but No.5 has always been his heart’s desire, because this number has extraordinary significance. At the age of 14, Edwards’ mother, yvette, and grandmother, Shirley, died of cancer. Both of them left on the 5th of the month, and Edwards’ birthday was on August 5th.
"He is fighting for his family." Justin Holland said, "This is a family number."
Edwards has never talked about this family tragedy since he landed in the NBA, but everyone around him knows how important these two women are in his heart. Except when he was eliminated by the Nuggets in the playoffs this year, Edwards always had a smile on his face. He was optimistic by nature and the coach liked this optimistic boy. All this is in stark contrast to the grief he suffered when he lost his loved ones as a child.
Just because outsiders can’t see it doesn’t mean the scar doesn’t exist. Edwards’s relatives and friends all know how deep the wound is.
"Of course, that really affected him." Bubba, Edwards’ brother, said, "But we like playing basketball since childhood. It’s like an exit, which allows us to gain freedom briefly, clear our minds and find some love."
Now when you talk to Edwards about this, he usually changes the subject. Maybe the 21-year-old boy is not ready to reveal his scars to the outside world, maybe he just pays attention to personal privacy and doesn’t think it is necessary to share it, or he doesn’t need sympathy or comfort. Whenever he walks into the goal hall, he always brings happiness, and all he talks about is his desire to lead the team to success.
But at this moment, you can clearly feel that wearing the No.5 jersey has brought great happiness to Edwards. No.1 used to be a beautiful landscape at the home of the Timberwolves. Edwards also had the slogan "A1 From Day 1", but he always wore a necklace in the style of AE5(Anthony Edwards 5), and some commercial projects he founded were also named after AE5. He always felt that he was bound to the number 5.
"Debut is the best slogan they set for me, not created by me. I have always been No.5." Edwards said.
He wore No.5 in AAU as a child, No.5 in high school at Holy Spirit Preparatory School in northern Atlanta, No.5 in McDonald’s All-Star Game and No.5 in NCAA at the University of Georgia. This number carries the story of Edwards before he landed in the NBA, and it is also the link between him and the fans in his youth.
"It was all the achievements in the past that helped Edwards stand on the NBA field, and the number 5 was his number before he was widely known." Holland said.
This is what Edwards is thinking now. He went from an unknown child to a high-profile potential star in the United States wearing the number 5. Now, he is eager to wear this number to complete another evolution. "Compared with No.1, I will be a better version on No.5, for sure. You will see a completely different player, better athletic ability and more dunks because I put on my own number. " Edwards said with a smile.
Hearing this, Holland also smiled. He met Edwards when he was in the ninth grade, and has been cooperating with him ever since. No one knows better than him that the most important thing for this new star is confidence. But Holland still believes that Edwards, who wears number 5, will be different.
"I always encourage him to dunk more. I know he has this ability." Holland said, "He’s always hungry. But when you put him on the No.5, that hunger will fill Edwards’ body from the first day and drive him to go further on the existing basis. "
This summer, the outside star signed a five-year designated rookie with a maximum of $260 million to renew his contract in advance, and was also selected for the American men’s basketball team. Edwards is ready to take it to the next level, but the focus is not on himself. "I don’t have any specific goals personally. Everything is about the team. We want to win 50 games. We want Downs to play MVP. We want Jaden Williams to be one of the best 3D players, but he is more than that. We want Gaubert to be the defensive player of the year. I hope we will do better in the new season. "
In Edwards’ view, the Timberwolves have experienced enough setbacks, which may be compulsory courses at the beginning of his career, but now it is time to graduate. In his fourth season, the more mature Edwards put on the meaningful No.5 shirt, and he is ready to lead the Timberwolves to a higher stage.