Nate Robinson sees a bit of himself in Anthony Edwards. Speaking with reporters, the former Slam Dunk champion said the Timberwolves star reminds him of a 6’5″ version of himself, praising Edwards’ athleticism, strength, and confidence on the court.
“I think Anthony Edwards is a 6’4, 6’5 type of Nate Robinson, built, athletic, backs up his sh** talking,” Robinson said. “I know he’s going to take the league by storm in the next couple of years and showcase what he can do, kind of like James Harden when he left OKC and got the opportunity to be that guy. It’ll be fun to watch what he does.”
Robinson, 41, is a former NBA guard with stints on the Knicks, Celtics, Thunder, Warriors, Bulls, Nuggets, Clippers, and Pelicans. In 11 years in the NBA, he averaged 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game on 42.3% shooting. Known primarily for his athleticism and energy, Robinson made up for his short stature (5’9″) with incredible speed and power on the court.
Nate Robinson hasn’t played since 2016, but much of his game seems to be reflected in Anthony Edwards, who was picked first overall in 2020. At just 24 years old, the young star is the face of the Timberwolves with career averages of 23.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 44.7% shooting. Going into his sixth season, Edwards is expected to lead Minnesota in their title pursuit and take his place as one of the featured players of the league.
Beyond just the physical, Edwards’ mental toughness is well documented and it makes him a powerful ambassador of the game. Of course, the best part is, we haven’t seen his best yet. Edwards isn’t even in his prime yet and, just like James Harden after leaving the Thunder, Edwards can have a breakout season that will bring his career to a whole new level.
For Harden, leaving the Thunder saw him become an NBA All-Star, going from 16.8 points per game in 2012 to 25.9 points per game in 2013. He was the first man off the bench in Oklahoma City, but he became an MVP in Houston at 28 years old. That stretch was the best years of his career, and now the same might be true for Edwards going into 2025-26.
Alongside Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, and Julius Randle, the Timberwolves have a chance to make a serious run that can finally put the franchise on the map. Fresh off two straight appearances in the Western Finals, they have already proven they can compete at the highest levels and now it’s up to Edwards to take them to that next step. Fortunately, he seems up for the task so far and he’s embracing the challenge ahead for him and his team.
Anthony Edwards has been compared to legends before, but this one hits different coming from Nate Robinson. Both built their games on energy, heart, and raw athleticism, and now Edwards is channeling that same drive into his own rise. If he keeps progressing at this pace, we could be looking at the moment where he truly breaks into superstardom and puts Minnesota back on top.
