Kessler Edwards had an immediate impact on the game, the secret? His ability to defend 1 on 1 and/with help, he shuts off driving lanes, fights through screens, stays with his man and has great length and strength to contest shots. This in return gives the rest of the team the ability to help less and deny passing lanes and/or give help and return to their man handily.
It was also more than just the 1 on 1 defense, look at the orientation of his body/hands and communication on defense with his team, the way he hedges his body, forced guards and ball handlers into help using angles, footwork to stay connected. Made easy passes more difficult and blew up several seconds of shot clock every play. This really helped weak side defense rotate, and doing this on the perimeter on the focal point of ball handlers and an all star level scorer? Impressive
He also has an intensity and energy/hustle that I wish Keegan had or could develop. Great rebounding and wasn't afraid to hit the floor.
We saw a steep drop off when Huerter and Monk were in at the same time, swing passes were decimating us. But with Edwards in he really provided that balance that seemed to be finally missing on the defensive end where teams aren't just like, "Oh okay we can get this or go at him", instead it was them having to make a play, individually. Tonight. The Suns were actively hunting Booker switching onto Barnes which is infinitely better than Booker hunting a switch onto someone like Huerter or Monk.
It was also more than just the 1 on 1 defense, look at the orientation of his body/hands and communication on defense with his team, the way he hedges his body, forced guards and ball handlers into help using angles, footwork to stay connected. Made easy passes more difficult and blew up several seconds of shot clock every play. This really helped weak side defense rotate, and doing this on the perimeter on the focal point of ball handlers and an all star level scorer? Impressive
He also has an intensity and energy/hustle that I wish Keegan had or could develop. Great rebounding and wasn't afraid to hit the floor.
We saw a steep drop off when Huerter and Monk were in at the same time, swing passes were decimating us. But with Edwards in he really provided that balance that seemed to be finally missing on the defensive end where teams aren't just like, "Oh okay we can get this or go at him", instead it was them having to make a play, individually. Tonight. The Suns were actively hunting Booker switching onto Barnes which is infinitely better than Booker hunting a switch onto someone like Huerter or Monk.
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