There are plenty of finer points of playing offense that Edwards can elevate, too. He worked hard on ball handling during the summer, a skill he acknowledged has often been skipped because of the discomfort certain drills can create on his lower back. That ought to help improve his performance in the clutch-time situations that frequently hampered the Wolves last season.

Another way he can more consistently beat double-teams is to not allow the opponents to get to that point by pushing the pace and running in transition more often. Recognizing ways to keep the offense better spaced in the half-court, too, can only help.

Sometimes, players as talented as Edwards also simply need to find new ways to remain motivated during the regular season.

"Try to get a career high in points," Edwards said without hesitation when asked at the team's media day how he can stay more engaged.

"I think that's what I'm going to try to do."

However he does, it doesn't matter much to the Wolves.

"Just continue to be that every-night player, performing at a high level, that we know he can be, which is what you need to do if you want to be an MVP in this league," Finch said.

"I certainly think he's got the DNA for it, he just has to really fully embrace it."

Agencies Via Xinhua