Minnesota Timberwolves third-year guard Anthony Edwards says he eats 21 bags of Chester’s Hot Fries per week. Not the ideal diet habits for an ascending NBA baller, but Edwards has been showing out of late and the Timberwolves are winning games. We know his teammate Karl-Anthony Towns is not a fan of the diet, but is this Edwards’ secret fuel?
“The best chips that were ever made,” Edwards said. “I’ve been eating ’em since I was probably, like, 5 years old. I probably eat, like, three a day. You do the math … what’s that, 21 bags? Yeah, I eat that many!”
Edwards revealed his snacking habits during the GQ Sports 10 things he can’t live without interview published earlier this week.
This isn’t the first time Edwards’ diet made headlines. Earlier this season Edwards would talk about his fast food runs to the popular Popeyes chicken joint. He also struggled at the beginning of the season in back-to-backs, citing feeling sluggish. After a loss on the second night of a back-to-back where Edwards played poorly Towns took that as an opportunity to call attention to the diet.
“Maybe I could do a better job of teaching him how to take care of his body, diet and everything,” said Towns. “That’ll be on me. I know you all think it’s funny up here when he talks about Popeye’s and all that s***. That doesn’t make me happy to hear. We’re high-level athletes.”
Because it’s the social media era and everyone wants to get involved in every conversation, it became a talking point earlier in the season. Popeyes’ social media account even got in on the action.
Good luck to every high level athlete who eats Popeyes regardless of what their teammates say 🏀
— Popeyes (@Popeyes) October 27, 2022
The Ant-Man is behaving like any other 21-year-old. When you’re young and physically gifted you take diet for granted because fast food doesn’t have the effect on you as if you were older or out of shape, etc.
Going forward, if Edwards wants to realize his potential and be among the best in the league, All-NBA level, etc., taking care of his body will need to become priority No. 1.
In an interesting sequence of events, Towns suffered a right calf injury on Nov. 28 and hasn’t played since.
The Timberwolves have gone 11-5 in the month of January and sit in ninth place in the West. Only a half game out of sixth and a game out of fourth, which would give them home-court advantage in round one of the playoffs.
A big reason for their resurgence after a dismal start is Edwards.
Over his past 10 games he’s averaging 29 points, six rebounds, and five assists on 49/44/80 shooting splits. His eFG% and TS% are at career highs after a very slow start to the season. The offense has simplified without Towns, as Edwards is the unquestioned No. 1 option.
Anthony Edwards tonight:
34 PTS
10 REB
6 AST
5-7 3PAnt is averaging 34/6/5 in his last 5 games. pic.twitter.com/PHJe7Ltt5m
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 29, 2023
His strong play and the Wolves’ winning month have vaulted Edwards into the All-Star reserve conversation. His slow start might be too much to overcome, but he seems to understand the bigger picture.
“I just know my team needs to win, so I’m going to go out there and do everything that I can do to help us win,” Edwards said Saturday after putting up 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 117-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings. “I don’t care if he’s [De’Aaron Fox] an All-Star or I am. Whatever it is, as long as my team is in the playoffs I’m good.”
It may take Edwards awhile to give up his Chester’s Hot Fries and Popeyes, but he knows what the ultimate objective is.
