Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has done his best to avoid any comparisons to Michael Jordan, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the similarities between the two.
Aside from elite athleticism, pesky defense and smooth mid-range jump shot, Edwards, like Jordan, knows when to take control of a game. Facing elimination Thursday night in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, Edwards scored 14 of his 27 points in the first quarter to propel Minnesota to victory.
Anthony Edwards wants to be talked about as “the first Anthony Edwards, not the next Michael Jordan.”
“Maybe he had a mix of Michael Jordan in him… but I have a three-point ball. That makes me a little different from Michael Jordan.”
this morning in @GMA: pic.twitter.com/dgwO8MaQLI
– Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 10, 2024
During the game, Edwards, 22, became the fifth-fastest player in NBA playoff history to score at least 600 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists, behind only Jordan, LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Tracy McGrady.
So far, Edwards has averaged 29.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 21 postseason games in his first three seasons in the league while shooting 50% from the field and 39.9% from range. of 3 points. He has now scored 40 or more points three times this postseason, most recently in Minnesota’s loss to Denver in Game 4 (44).
Comparatively, Jordan only played in 10 playoff games during his first three seasons in the league. His Chicago Bulls were defeated in the first round three consecutive years between 1985 and 1987, even though Jordan averaged 35.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.
“No one says they’re going 6/6. They share some qualities and that’s fine.”
— @ColinCowherd It’s okay to talk about Anthony Edwards/Michael Jordan compositions. pic.twitter.com/rJ1HvXyZAy
– Herd with Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 13, 2024
Despite Jordan’s level of play, the Bulls went 1-9 in their first 10 postseason games. The lack of a supporting cast around Jordan hurt Chicago’s chances of making deep playoffs early in his career, something that can’t be said for Edwards.
In Jordan’s third season in the league (1986-87), the Bulls only had two other players averaging at least 10 points per game: Charles Oakley (14.5) and John Paxson (11.3). Jordan’s scoring average of 37.1 points per game in that regular season is the highest of any player in league history not named Wilt Chamberlain.
Anthony Edwards?Michael Jordan
Father and son dunking on the Suns pic.twitter.com/OZjmkZrTWv
– Tony Clementos (@TonyCMKE) April 29, 2024
Edwards led the Wolves with 25.9 points per game during the regular season, but Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels averaged more than 10 points per game. Minnesota is also playing elite defense as a team.
Jordan and Edwards also share some personality traits, namely their desire to win. But while Jordan’s intensity demanded a lot from his teammates, Edwards seems to have the trust and admiration of everyone in the Minnesota locker room.
While he spends a good amount of time talking trash, Edwards can also be seen regularly offering advice to his teammates on the court or on the bench. He has taken time in his post-match press conferences to highlight the contributions of his teammates, and he has done it all with a big smile on his face.
The biggest difference between Edwards and Jordan on the court is the latter’s lack of three-point play. During the 2023-24 regular season, Edwards made 190 of 532 (35.7%) of his attempts from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Jordan shot down 179 of 625 (28.6%) in a seven-year span, from 1984-85 to 1990-91.
Edwards could further separate himself from Jordan if he can lead Minnesota to a victory in Game 7. Jordan did not win a playoff series until his fourth year in 1988, and did not reach the conference finals until the following year in 1989.
“[Anthony Edwards] He is the Michael Jordan of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is the Kobe of the Minnesota Timberwolves. … You’ve got to be the guy we saw in Game 7.”
—@stephenasmith about what this moment means ? pic.twitter.com/NZutcjuJsY
– First Take (@FirstTake) May 17, 2024
Jordan was 28 when he reached the final for the first time in 1991. He won six championships over the next eight years, culminating with his last title in 1998, at age 35.
If Edwards is able to lead Minnesota to the Finals, he will be reminiscent of Kobe Bryant helping the Lakers win the 2000 title at just 21 years old. Bryant then led Los Angeles to two more championships in 2001 and 2002.
Edwards still has a ways to go to reach that level of success, but the way things look, 2024 could be the year Ant stakes his claim as the face of the league.
Winning a title would practically guarantee it.
