"That's who I came to see": Anthony Edwards calls Kevin Durant the alpha when the game is on the line

Anthony Edwards said in February this year he considers Kevin Durant the greatest basketball player ever. In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, “Ant-Man” claimed to have been a big fan since he was a little boy. For him, KD is “the first seven-footer I’ve seen put the ball on the floor” and score off the dribble.

The Minnesota Timberwolves superstar eventually met his idol in the playoffs when they took on the Phoenix Suns. Although Edwards’ team swept Durant and Co., the shooting guard had nothing but praise for the former MVP.

A few months after squaring off in the postseason, Anthony Edwards will play alongside Kevin Durant in the 2024 Paris Olympics. When asked about who the “alpha” was on Team USA who will take the last-second shot, Edwards answered:

“I think Kevin Durant. He better be. That’s who I came to see.”

Edwards’ assertion was bold and full of confidence considering the names on the USA basketball team. Steve Kerr has Steph Curry, the greatest shooter in basketball and LeBron James, the all-time career points leader in the NBA. “Ant-Man” knows who his teammates are so his faith in the “Slim Reaper” had to be sky-high for him to make the push.

Anthony Edwards doesn’t just think the ball should be in Kevin Durant’s hands when the game is on the line. He has also made the Phoenix Suns superstar his go-to resource person during the tournament. Durant is the all-time career leader in points in men’s Olympic basketball so Edwards couldn’t have chosen a more apt advisor.

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Anthony Edwards thinks he’s the top option on Team USA over Kevin Durant and others

Anthony Edwards might defer to Kevin Durant with the game on the line, but he sees things differently concerning the team’s top option. Despite the presence of Durant, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid and others, he knows who Steve Kerr should go to for most of the time.

Here’s what the All-Star guard had to say about his role in the team:

“I’m still the No. 1 option. Y’all look at it differently, but I don’t look at it no different [when I’m in Minnesota]. I just go out there and be myself. Shoot my shots, play defense. They’ve all got to fit around me. That’s how I feel.”

Anthony Edwards is a man on a mission. He was the leader of Team USA which fell short of a podium finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. With a much-improved roster on the team, he doesn’t see any difference in why he will not be the top option.

The Americans’ first tuneup game will be against Canada on Wednesday. Edwards and his World Cup teammates suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Canadians for the bronze. It will be interesting to see how Kerr designs the offense with MVPs on his roster. Many will be watching how the Warriors coach will use Edwards.