Anthony Edwards: Steve Kerr's Predraft Workout Criticism Helped Me Take 'Next Step'

The Golden State Warriors didn't have the chance to select Anthony Edwards with the No. 2 pick of the 2020 NBA draft because the Minnesota Timberwolves took him with the first pick.

According to an interview on Jake's Takes,Edwards said his inability to complete a drill Kerr asked him to do during a predraft workout led to a different mindset.

I was unable to do it. I'm not feeling well. This is too much for me. I'm jogging because I'm not saying anything. Steve came to me after the workout and asked if I could go any faster. I thought I was going a lot faster. He said he would do it again. I did it a second time. I'm moving quickly. He stopped me and asked if I could go faster.

Kerr toldEdwards what he told him.

You have to be a hard worker if we don't draft you at 2. You're not working hard enough. I think that was a mistake on my part. I called my trainer and said, "Ay bro, we gotta change, we gotta change it up" Stephen and KD used to work out very hard. It's difficult when they are in there. Since then, I feel like I took the next step.

The big man drafted by the Warriors hasn't panned out. He hasn't played this season because of injuries, but has appeared in 39 games over the past two years. LaMelo Ball went third overall to the Charlotte Hornets.

Ball was an All-Star in both of his seasons.

After helping lead Minnesota to the playoffs, where he averaged 21.3 points, 4.8 rebound, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals, he seems to be an All-Star. He scored 30 or more points in six games as Minnesota lost to Memphis.

The coach's words have stuck with him two seasons into his NBA career.

If Kerr advocated for the prospect to work hard, they would do it. The Warriors have multiple championship rings, and both Curry and Durant are destined for the Hall of Fame.

Curry is three victories away from the fourth title of his career after he and the Warriors tied the NBA Finals at one game apiece.

While he doesn't reach that level in his career, he is one of the league's best young stars and owes a lot to another team's coach who helped instill a better work ethic as he entered the NBA.