Isiah Thomas, speaking to Sirius XM Radio, recently weighed in on the comparisons being made between Michael Jordan and Anthony Edwards. He expressed his belief that while both players are exceptional athletes with impressive leaping ability, their playing styles are fundamentally different.
“They’re excellent athletes in terms of jumping, but in terms of their game, their games aren’t similar to me. Edwards, at this age, is a far better perimeter shooter, but Jordan, at the 22, 23 age, he was a far more better driver getting to the basket and finishing around the rim.”
“Now, Edwards has been spectacular around the rim when he gets there, but Jordan, you know, his first couple of years lived in a paint. Edwards has a perimeter game that complements his inside game.”
“And also, I would say Edwards, you know, at this age, you know, he will defer to his teammates a lot more and trust his teammates a lot more than Jordan did in his early stages. Now, that’s not a knock on any one of them, but just because they both jump high doesn’t mean that they’re the same players.”
"Just because they both jump high, doesn't mean they're the same players"
Naismith Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas on the Michael Jordan and Anthony Edwards comparison pic.twitter.com/xv2qMrkZvb
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) May 26, 2024
Thomas highlighted that Edwards, at his current age, is a much better perimeter shooter compared to Jordan at 22 or 23. In contrast, Jordan was known for his driving ability and finishing around the rim early in his career. Although Edwards has also been effective around the rim, his game is more diversified with a strong perimeter component that complements his inside play.
Furthermore, Thomas pointed out a significant difference in their approach to teamwork. Edwards tends to defer to his teammates and trusts them more than Jordan did in his early years. This distinction underscores the different dynamics each player brings to their respective teams.
Other prominent figures in the basketball world have also chimed in on the Jordan-Edwards comparison, often suggesting that these comparisons should cease. Charles Barkley, for instance, has been vocal about his disapproval of these comparisons. Edwards himself has downplayed the comparisons, acknowledging Jordan’s unparalleled greatness and emphasizing their differences.
To further illustrate the differences, a comparison of their first four seasons in the NBA is enlightening. Anthony Edwards has averaged 22.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, shooting 44.7% from the field, 35.6% from three-point range, and 79.0% from the free-throw line.
Michael Jordan, on the other hand, averaged 32.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, with shooting percentages of 50.6% from the field, 16.4% from three-point range, and 84.8% from the free-throw line.
These statistics highlight the differences in their games. Jordan was a more dominant scorer and defender early in his career, while Edwards has developed a more balanced game with a significant perimeter shooting threat. The comparisons, while flattering, often overlook these nuanced distinctions that make each player unique in their own right.
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