Anthony Edwards delivered the most ringing endorsement yet of the NBA's revamped All-Star format, telling reporters in San Francisco that the three-team, 12-minute structure succeeded in doing what years of tweaks had failed to do: make the players actually compete.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star collected MVP honours after leading his squad past the rest of the field and, unlike many of his peers, said he believed the format should stay.
"I know they ain't going to really like take in what I'm saying, but I like this format. I think it makes us compete because it's only 12 minutes and the three different teams you separate the guys. I think it was really good," Edwards said.
Edwards credited Spurs center Victor Wembanyama for setting the competitive tone early, a point several players echoed throughout All-Star Weekend.
"He set the tone. And it was definitely competitive with all three teams. I feel like the Olds played hard too. They was playing real good defense. But he set the tone, man. And it woke me up for sure," Edwards said.
The Timberwolves guard was also candid about an administrative quirk that backfired into extra motivation. Edwards admitted he did not fully understand the scoring system heading into the final game.
"They beat us the first game and we thought we had won the game. Like, we didn't know that it was you played a whole 12 minutes out. We thought it was a first of 40. So, I had hit a three to get 40 and we thought the game was over," Edwards said.
The confusion morphed into fuel. Edwards said teammate Cade Cunningham used the lost opener as a pre-game rallying point before they closed the weekend.
"Cade before we walked out, Kade was like, man, we got to get our lit back. So, you know, we came out and stomped on them," Edwards said.
The MVP meant something personal too. Edwards, who has become the face of Minnesota basketball since the Timberwolves' deep playoff runs, said winning the award in front of his home crowd was not a coincidence he was willing to shrug off.
"It means a lot. You know, I love Minnesota and I know Minnesota loves me, so I said I wasn't going to put on the show for him, but I gave him a show. So, appreciate y'all Minnesota," Edwards said.
Edwards also referenced how his USA Basketball experience alongside Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James had changed the way he approaches big stages. He said watching the veterans' daily routines reframed his own preparation.
"I wouldn't say they gave me nothing to tell the All-Stars, but playing with the USA team taught me about having a routine, especially when it comes to being on the court. Watching Steph, KD and LeBron — it's the routines they do every day that made them great even though it's boring sometimes," Edwards said.
The showstopper quote of the night came when Edwards was asked about Kawhi Leonard, who detonated for more than 30 points in a quarter during the event.
"I told him when we walked out for the last game, I said, 'Hey, you need to chill out.' Yeah, I think 30 some points in a quarter is crazy though, for sure," Edwards said with a laugh.
He also revealed that former President Barack Obama, a long-time basketball fan with whom Edwards had spent time the day before, was a personal motivator during the games.
"You always got to put on the show for him. He's my favourite person in the world. We was kicking it yesterday. I told him I was going to put on the show for him," Edwards said.
Whether the league preserves the three-team format into next season remains to be seen — commissioner Adam Silver has previously signalled openness to further tweaks — but Edwards' postgame verdict was unambiguous. He wanted more of it.
"I think so. I hope so," Edwards said when asked if the MVP could be the start of a collection.
