Former Georgia Bulldog standouts Anthony Edwards and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are facing each other in the NBA Playoffs. Edwards, who is playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, looks like one of the best players in the NBA and has an intense, competitive personality. Edwards faces NBA veteran and two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the Denver Nuggets, who won a championship last season.
Edwards and the Timberwolves took Game 1 in Denver with an extraordinary performance against the defending champs. Edwards dropped 43 points and shot over 50% against the Nuggets in Game 1. Edwards did much of his scoring damage against Caldwell-Pope.
Edwards and Caldwell-Pope both have a lot in common. Both players went to Georgia, wear No. 5 and were lottery picks in their respective NBA draft. Edwards and Caldwell-Pope are both friends, but that friendship goes on hold when the two competitors face off in the NBA postseason.
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The Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves in six games last season in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. Anthony Edwards was upset after Caldwell-Pope and the Nuggets moved on to the next round and has improved his game since last year.
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“I mean, we’re friends outside of basketball, we’re from the same town, went to the same school, but we hang out, work out together in Atlanta,” said Caldwell-Pope back in a interview with the Denver Post in 2023. “So we’re friends outside of basketball, just basically, this is him being my little brother. So it’s a good friendship.”
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has what Anthony Edwards wants: an NBA championship. Despite their friendship, Edwards is looking to beat Caldwell-Pope, who is his primary defender for much of the series between the Timberwolves and Nuggets.
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Caldwell-Pope may be Anthony Edwards’ friend off the court, but Edwards makes it clear what his priority is in the NBA Playoffs. “That’s my brother. That’s my brother. That’s my big brother, for sure. And I’m trying to tear his head off,” said Edwards.
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