Edwards Exclusive: Curry Taught Me a Valuable Lesson; Developing New Scoring Moves Because of the Thunder

On December 20th Beijing time, Edwards was interviewed by renowned reporter Shams. ESPN released part of the interview today, with the full version scheduled to air locally on December 24th. In the released segment, Edwards discussed why he expanded his scoring arsenal and revealed that his experience with the US team sparked a sudden realization, with Curry giving him an invaluable lesson.

Reporter: Looking at the stats, this season is once again one of your best in the NBA. How do you feel about this season? What challenges did you set for yourself before it started?

Edwards: Well, I’ve been working on my mid-range shot, trying to improve my finishing under pressure, and also trying not to let referee calls affect my mindset — since I faced a lot of criticism about that last year. Overall, I just want to keep improving.

Reporter: When did you realize you needed to add back-to-the-basket moves and mid-range scoring to your skill set?

Edwards: It was during the series against the Thunder. Their defense played with the intensity of an amateur sports league, full-court pressure and constant double teams. Whenever I had the ball at the top of the key, there was almost no room to operate because they always sent two or three defenders to trap me. So after that series, I thought to myself, I really need to develop different ways to score.

Reporter: Everyone on the team consistently praises you for being sincere and genuinely wanting to be a great teammate and a capable leader. What made you suddenly realize and understand this?

Edwards: I think it was my time with the national team. There, I realized everyone leads differently. You have to learn to communicate and connect with different people. Some players respond well to strict demands; others need you to pull them aside for one-on-one talks. That’s what I learned during that period.

Reporter: Was there a moment on the national team that made you think, “Wow, this is such a valuable lesson, I have to bring it back to the NBA”?

Edwards: That was probably Curry. No matter what the situation, he always stuck to his training without slacking off. He made me fully understand that you can never avoid training or give half-hearted effort. After every practice, he would systematically do extra shooting drills — making countless shots — then go home as if nothing had happened. He always said, “Don’t worry, the shots will fall, they definitely will.” And when the team needed him most, he always stepped up. So that experience was truly meaningful to me.

Reporter: You were in the Bay Area when the team won that game (December 13th victory over the Warriors).

Edwards: Yeah, I actually took several photos. Normally, you’re not allowed to use your phone on the bench — that’s the rule. But I thought, “Forget the rules.” I signed with Under Armour back in eighth grade and have always worn Curry’s shoes since then. Years later, I attended his basketball camp, then made it to the NBA and even competed with him in the Olympics. Seeing how humble and friendly he is, and then spotting my signature shoes on his feet — at that moment, I felt like a kid again. So I had to take some photos for memory’s sake. Just like an ordinary fan spotting a celebrity and quickly grabbing their phone to snap pictures — that’s exactly how I was.