The Minnesota Timberwolves took Anthony Edwards 1st overall in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Georgia. While the evaluation period was spotty given the pandemic, they couldn’t have nailed the pick better, as the 22-year-old continues to draw comparisons to Michael Jordan. At this point though, Anthony Edwards is over it.
Michael Jordan is unquestionably one of the best to ever step foot on a basketball court. Whether you prefer his game to that of LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, the greatest of all time discussion routinely revolves around those types of players. Being as young as he is, Anthony Edwards wants to put those types of comparisons in perspective, for now.
If you haven’t noticed by now, Edwards is an extremely mature 22-year-old. From telling older teammate Karl Anthony Towns to stop fouling in a postgame press conference, to the way he dominates veterans on the court, nothing seems to lack perspective with the Georgia star. Talking with Fox Sports, he’s ready for the comparisons between him and Jordan to stop.
“I want it to stop. He’s the greatest of all time. I can’t be compared to him.” It’s not the pressure that Edwards feels either. Again, if you’ve watched him at all, that’s definitely not something he is willing to shy away from. “No, no pressure. It’s just not possible,” says Edwards.
Everyone Is Suggesting Anthony Edwards is the new Michael Jordan
While it may be Edwards who is desiring the comparisons to stop, nothing about his game is slowing them down. From Kevin Garnett to Patrick Beverly, and even current teammate Mike Conley, the suggestion that this is the second coming of Michael Jordan is too straightforward to overlook.
Shaq: "Who does Anthony Edwards remind you of?"
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2024
Mike Conley: "A young Michael Jordan." pic.twitter.com/ERAcZIpUti
There are a handful of players that could be thrown into the greatest of all time conversation, but it’s Jordan or Kobe Bryant that Edwards’ game most closely resembles. Jordan was a natural scorer that could do it all on both sides of the floor, and that’s exactly the type of player Edwards is morphing into. He will never have the size that James possesses, and Kobe was something of a different animal when it came to the offensive end.
Memes Make Jordan and Edwards Fun
While there are no credible sources to suggest that Edwards is in fact related to the Chicago Bulls all-time great, nothing will stop the internet from remaining undefeated when pairing the two together. Suggestions that Edwards is actually Jordan’s son continue to rule the interwebs, and while their play continues to draw parallels, there will never be anything to put that hype train back in the station.
Related: NBA Confirms: Anthony Edwards’ Superstar is Exploding in Playoffs
Michael Jordan with son’ Anthony Edwards, Atlanta 2006 pic.twitter.com/0nTkxUDRe4
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) May 6, 2024
Edwards added another highlight to his growing list of accolades when he put up 43 points on the road against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the second round Western Conference series. Despite having limited playoff exposure, and going up against the defending champions on the road, Edwards put his team on his back and helped them to an underdog victory. With the Timberwolves now trending in a more positive direction than they have at any point in franchise history, it’s hard not to dream on a player this charismatic that could lead his team to a title.
Related: Anthony Edwards is HIM but the Timberwolves are So Much More Than HIM
For anyone who isn’t convinced about Anthony Edwards’ greatness, here is Michael Jordan doing the same move…just slower 💀 pic.twitter.com/MgvT3PrD7T
— No Filter Network (@NoFilterNet) May 5, 2024
Anthony Edwards doesn’t need to be Michael Jordan, and their accomplishments won’t be in the same universe for some time, but right now he’s everything the Timberwolves need and then some. When looking to knock off the reigning champions, you need a championship-caliber player and Edwards is proving to be exactly that at the right time.