Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards regularly faces comparisons to NBA legend Michael Jordan due to their similar playstyles. However, despite people comparing him to arguably the greatest basketball player in history, Edwards wants them to stop. According to Melissa Rohlin of FOX Sports, Edwards says he “can’t be compared” to the six-time NBA champion.
“I want it to stop,” the 22-year-old Edwards told FOX Sports. “He’s the greatest of all time. I can’t be compared to him.”
Edwards has been one of the game’s brightest stars since Minnesota drafted him with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, the 22-year-old made a big jump this season. During the regular season, Edwards averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. Furthermore, he shot 46.1% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. This season, Edwards also made it to his second consecutive All-Star team.
Although his regular season was impressive, Edwards’ performance in the playoffs is what is truly setting him apart. To this point, Edwards’ Timberwolves are 5-0 in the playoffs after sweeping the Phoenix Suns in the first round and taking a game on the road against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in the second round. In the playoffs, Edward has leveled up big time, averaging 33.4 points per game while shooting 53.2% from the field.
Anthony Edwards is just Michael Jordan with a 4K highlight reel pic.twitter.com/KSoU5nlkAN
— Tony Clements (@TonyCMKE) May 5, 2024
Minnesota Timberwolves Star Wants Player Comparison “to Stop”
NBA Personalities Speak About the Michael Jordan-Anthony Edwards Comparison
Although he has not directly talked about people comparing Edwards’ game to his, we have an idea of how he feels about it. According to long-time NBA analyst Chris Broussard, “His Airness” has “agreed” with the comparison.
“He’s not going to be in the G.O.A.T. conversation. But stylistically, well, I reached out to the G.O.A.T. today, Michael Jordan. Jordan said there are similarities in their games, and he agreed, so if Jordan says there are similarities, there are similarities.”
Furthermore, Edwards’ Timberwolves teammate Mike Conley has weighed in on the comparison, citing Edwards’ “mentality” as the reason for the comparison.
“I think you guys mentioned it a lot, a young Michael Jordan,” Conley said. “He’s unbelievable. I think more than anything with him, it’s been his mentality. I never met a guy who believes more in himself than Anthony Edwards.
Shaq: “Who does Anthony Edwards remind you of?”
Mike Conley: “A young Michael Jordan.” pic.twitter.com/ERAcZIpUti
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2024
On the flip side, NBA legend Charles Barkley agrees with Edwards.
“People forget he averaged 38 a game back when you could really knock the hell out of people,” argued Barkley. “He averaged 38 points a game. People forget that and then you know, Anthony – who I love, he doesn’t have to go through the Bad Boys Pistons when they just beat the hell out of you, three or four years in a row.”
Edwards is having a phenomenal career so far. However, it is certainly too soon to start comparing him to Jordan.
