Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is often dubbed as a modern-day clone of Michael Jordan, but he sees it very differently. According to Edwards, he's got a very distinct play style from Michael that includes an ability to hit shots from range.
“I want people to be like: this Anthony Edwards kid he got his own style. He maybe got a mix of MJ in him," said Edwards via Malika Andrews. "But I got a trey ball. I can shoot the three so I think that makes me a little different than Michael Jordan."
Edwards, 22, has put the whole world on notice during this Timberwolves playoff run. He's been on fire through the first 6 games, leading the Wolves to a 6-0 record with averages of 32.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 54% shooting.
With such little experience in the NBA, it's impossible to put Edwards on the same level as Michael Jordan but there are some striking similarities in their playstyle and approach to the game.
Unlike Edwards, however, Michael played from the inside out and used his physicality to dominate around the rim. Jordan, while he was known as an elite mid-range shooter, was not heavily reliant on the three-pointer and only averaged 0.5 made threes per game in his career on 32% shooting.
Edwards, meanwhile, is a frequent shooter from three. He averages 2.4 threes per game from downtown and has already made 789 of them in his short career so far. His efficiency is up to 35.7% through four seasons.
So, while they are both talented and freakish athletes, Anthony Edwards is not Michael Jordan. He's building his legacy with the Timberwolves and he wants to be remembered as his own man. But until Edwards can deliver in the post-season and lead his team to a championship, he may not even have a legacy worth remembering.
Anthony Edwards Is On A Rare Trajectory
With a 2-0 lead over the Denver Nuggets in round two, the Timberwolves have a chance to shock the basketball world with a win on Friday. Taking down the defending champions was not an outcome anyone predicted before the playoffs and yet its a real possibility with their current showing on both ends of the floor.
Without Rudy Gobert in the lineup, the Timberwolves held the Nuggets to just 80 points in Game 2 and made a statement that they are ready to win it all.
At just 22, Edwards is leading the charge for the Timberwolves and his confidence, leadership, and competitive fire have ignited his teammates into playing some of the best basketball of their careers.
At Edwards' age, Michael was still just a sophomore in the league with a whole lot left to prove. It wasn't until over five years later that Mike finally broke through and went on a run in the East.
If Edwards can win this series and goes on to win the title, he'll be ahead of schedule in more ways than one and his status as one of the best in the league will no longer be up for debate. He'll need to be at his absolute best to get a win on Friday, with the Nuggets more desperate than ever to get a win.
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