It’s no secret Anthony Edwards is one of the most in-form players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) right now. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ shooting guard has been putting up some seriously impressive numbers this season, averaging 26.7 points per game as well as 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists on average.
With this kind of form, the question comes to mind: just how good is Edwards? Where will his place be in the annals of basketball’s history? Michael Jordan has weighed in on the topic, with a surprising comparison between himself and the 22-year-old.
The Ant Man isn’t the first player to be compared to Jordan over the past few decades. First it was Kobe Bryant, then LeBron James. Any time a star rises, fans and analysts alike are quick to draw parallels to one of the games greatest of all time. However, it’s not his sheer performance that stands out as a similarity between Edwards and Jordan, but more their play style.
NBA commentator Chris Broussard shared recently in a conversation on First Things First that he spoke with Jordan, who agrees that the two share a similar athleticism and explosiveness in their games.
“There’s two comparisons to Michael Jordan,” explained Broussard. “One, that he could one day be as good as Michael Jordan or better. That’s where LeBron always got compared to Jordan, not because stylistically they played like that.
“Then there’s the other one: that their game is similar. As great as Anthony Edwards is – and I think he can be the best American player, maybe the face of the league, at least American players – he’s not going to ever be in the GOAT conversation. But stylistically? Well, I reached out to the GOAT today. Michael Jordan said there are similarities in their games, he agreed!”
Broussard went on to explain that it’s more than just their athletic, explosive games that make Jordan and Edwards alike.
“In the past, I talked to Jordan about the concept of shortening the season,” continued Broussard. “It sickened him. He couldn’t understand why in the world wouldn’t players want 82 games. Anthony Edwards is like, ‘I don’t wanna load manage; I wanna play!’”
At just 22 years of age, many are expecting Edwards to become the next face of the NBA. The shooting guard was picked first outright in the 2020 NBA draft, having been rated as a five star recruit and one of the best players from his class as a senior. Collecting USA Today All-USA first team and McDonald’s All-American honors, he quickly found his feet in the world’s best basketball competition.
This year, however, he’ll need to perform better than ever if he’s to carry his side to any degree of success in the 2023-24 season. Currently, the Minnesota Timberwolves sit third in the Western Conference of the NBA, behind both the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. Losses to the Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets in March have stung their chances of finishing top of the Western Conference.
If there’s any player that can spur the Timberwolves to a late season surge in 2024 though, it’s Edwards. Over the month of March so far, the 22-year-old has been leading from the front, scoring 30+ points in his matches against the Clippers, Jazz (twice) and Nuggets. Continue this kind of form, and Minnesota just might defy the NBA betting odds and top their conference.
Last season’s NBA Finals MVP certainly thinks that Edward’s is capable of doing so. Speaking after the recent clash between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, Nikola Jokic had this to say about the shooting guard:
“They have Anthony Edwards who is probably one of the best players, most talented players in the NBA right now,” he declared. Strong words from a man who knows what it’s like to sway the outcome of a competition, with Jokic himself averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists across the 69 games he played last season.
Whether or not Edwards can step up and lead the Timberwolves deep into the post-season remains to be seen. For now, he has the confidence of knowing that one of the game’s all-time greats sees parallels between their games, which has to count for something.