How a reminder to play with joy changed things for Anthony Edwards

Something was off with Anthony Edwards. 

Tom Crean, who coached Edwards during his one year at the University of Georgia, immediately recognized the subtle signs in his face, eyes and shoulders that belied his signature smile. 

So, heading into Game 3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves' first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers last month, Crean texted Edwards a video message. 

"You're a heck of a player no matter what," Crean relayed to FOX Sports. "But when your joy is front and center, you're basically unguardable and unstoppable."

Those words deeply resonated with the 23-year-old Edwards, who played with a freeness in Game 3 that had been absent in the first two games of the series. He was loose. He was joking around. He oozed the signature charm and bravado that has led to him being compared to Michael Jordan.

With the score tied at 103-103 and 4:37 left in Game 3, Edwards led the Timberwolves on a 13-1 run with a combination of big shots and lockdown defense en route to a 116-104 win.

But what stuck out most was the way he did it. 

Edwards' energy was so infectious that LeBron James was cracking up as they exchanged words with just over two minutes left, even though the Lakers were trailing by seven points.

And after Edwards made a 24-foot stepback jumper with 1:06 left, he skipped down the court, faced his fans and signaled for them to cheer louder, flashing a wide grin as they screamed. 

During his walk-off interview with ESPN following his 29-point, eight-rebound, and eight-assist performance to put the Timberwolves up 2-1, Edwards was asked about his constant laughter and smiling throughout the game.

"Big shoutout to my college coach, Coach Crean, man," Edwards said. "He texts me, he gives me advice