Anthony Edwards has heard the criticisms that NBA players shoot too many threes, and frankly, he doesn't care.
"What they want us to do? It's four people in the paint," Edwards said in his brand new Complex cover story. "If they leaving us open for the three ball, I think that's just taking what the game give you."
Edwards pointed to extremely tall players like Victor Wembanyama as a reason why the game is changing. "You got Wemby. You got these boys. They tall. They big. They blocking shots, man. We not forcing our way to the paint every time," he explained. "So, everybody can think what they want to think, but I just feel like the game changes. Guys want to shoot threes and guys are good at it. The viewership is down. I don't know what they got to do, lower the rim or something?"
Edwards did say that players who can't shoot well should maybe think twice about shooting from beyond the arc.
"I think seeking out threes is too much," he added. "You got guys who're seeking out threes that aren't always great shooters. I get where the fans and past NBA players are coming from with that standpoint. But I feel like if you can shoot 'em, shoot 'em, especially if you open. They giving you the shot, what else you going to take? They giving you the trey ball, you better take it. That's the game. You better take what they give you."
Interestingly enough, Edwards is one of those players who should be taking as many threes as he wants. He is currently averaging a career-high 42.4 percent from deep this season.
Elsewhere in the interview, Edwards said he was surprised about the success of his first shoe, the AE1.
“I definitely was surprised. I knew they was hard myself, but of course you don't know what everybody is going to think,” he said. “I would be driving to the games and looking outside of the bus or at the airport, and I would see everybody rocking them.”
As for his shoe's second iteration, Edwards has some big things in store.
“I feel like I know what the outside world wants when it comes to shoes and stuff, lifestyle. So it's hard for me not to make something that's going to pop,” he added. “Be patient. It's on the way. Can't rush it."