Boston Celtics rookie guard Carsen Edwards probably hasn’t had the level of success he hoped for in his first season in the NBA, but it isn’t deterring him either.
“I understand it’s a process for me,” began the Purdue product in a recent video made for the team. “I just got to worry about what I can control.”
Rookies tend to struggle when they face the hyper-efficient, rapidfire speed of the Association, and the transition for the former Boilermaker has been a bit bumpy in that regard.
Shooting 30.9 % from deep and just 32.9 % overall can’t be pleasant for a 36.8 % career collegiate 3-point shooter who normally connected on 41.2 % of his field goals at the NCAA level.
But Edwards is prepared to keep working, knowing only sustained effort will get him to where he wants to be. “For me personally, it’s been a little more challenging like now [that] I got to this level,” he observed.
“Anyone that knows me just knows how competitive I am and that’s one thing [about] why I love the game — it’s being able to go at people,” offered the first-year guard. “I continue learn from this experience and continue to try to stay ready.”
Edwards started to turn a corner just before the coronavirus pandemic put the 2019-20 NBA season on ice, his shooting trending up again after a tough December and January. But instead of letting it get to him, the Texas native instead sees an opportunity instead.
“My main focus is just continue to move forward. [and] understand you can do this — you’re here for a reason; keep your confidence and you should continue to work.”
Edwards may have temporarily misplaced his shooting touch, but he’s not wrong about the confidence component.
He is on the Celtics roster for a reason, and if he keeps putting in the work, the game will eventually slow down enough for him to find the bottom of the net like he’s used to doing.
