“It’s going to be a big series for Ant,” Mike Conley said. “He’s got to be able to grow up right in front of us and be able to handle what he’s about to experience. It’s going to be a lot of trying to get the ball out of his hands. They’re going to try to be smarter than us, they’re going to try to outwit us in a lot of different areas.” The 40-year-old James remains an athletic marvel, but even he cannot match Edwards’ physical prowess for a long series. Dončić’s game is predicated on leverage and angles, not quickness or elevation. But the teammates are two of the most intelligent basketball players to ever play, and they have a cerebral coach in JJ Redick who will likely try to lure Edwards into a chess match rather than a boxing match. -via New York Times / April 18, 2025