Anthony Edwards has been the subject of comparisons to Michael Jordan lately, but the Minnesota Timberwolves player is quick to distance himself from such lofty praise.
Speaking with Speedy Morman of Complex, Edwards expressed his discomfort with the comparisons, emphasizing, “I just want them to stop,” clarifying, “Because he’s the greatest to ever play basketball and I’m so far from it.”
When asked if Jordan could guard him in today’s NBA, Edwards confidently replied, “Hell nah. No.”
The buzz comparing Edwards to Jordan started escalating in November when an unnamed NBA scout told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that Edwards is “the next Michael Jordan.” Adding to the chorus, Philadelphia 76ers veteran Patrick Beverley also drew comparisons between Edwards and Jordan during media interactions.
Beverley even mentioned on JJ Redick’s The Old Man and the Three podcast in 2022 that he sees the potential in Edwards to be like Jordan, insisting, “He’s got a chance.”
On the court, Edwards is having an impressive season with the Timberwolves, averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 19 games. His shooting stats stand at 45.2 percent from the floor and 37.8 percent from beyond the arc.
While Edwards shines on offense, his defensive game mirrors that of Jordan. He consistently takes on tough defensive assignments, locking down opponents and making scoring difficult.
Thanks to Edwards and defensive stalwarts like Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves currently hold the NBA’s best defensive ranking with a rating of 106.8.
Minnesota’s outstanding performance, with Edwards playing a significant role, positions the team for its strongest season in over a decade. The Timberwolves currently lead the Western Conference with a 17-5 record and are emerging as genuine contenders for the NBA title.
Yet, despite the Jordan comparisons, it’s evident that Edwards still has more ground to cover in his career before truly warranting the comparison. If he aims to become the next MJ, he’ll likely need to elevate his game even further.
