LAS VEGAS – After most of Team USA's practices this week, Anthony Edwards was the last person in the gym. The rest of his teammates boarded the bus back to the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, but Edwards would stay back with some Team USA staff members and his best friend Nick Maddox, who grew up with Edwards and is a fixture at almost every Timberwolves game , home and road. Maddox helped Edwards run through a post-practice workout, which involved Edwards shooting from all over the floor.
He began near the rim and gradually worked his way out while going around the arc, until he capped it off by heaving up some half-court shots. These workouts usually took about an hour to complete. Earlier in the week, Edwards said he was trying to get back into game shape after over a month off since the Wolves season ended to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals .
The workouts, plus the team's practices, seemed to pay off, as Edwards looked near top form in Wednesday's scrimmage against Team Canada. He came off the bench and looked like the best player on the floor when he was out there. He finished with 13 points to lead all scorers.
But to hear him after the game, Edwards said he experienced an emotion he hadn't felt in a long time, not even in NBA playoff games. "I was nervous for real, I ain't gonna lie," Edwards said. "I told 'Bron [ LeBron James ] .
.. I ain't been nervous in a minute.
My first time playing in the Olympics. I definitely was nervous. "I don't know what m.