The comparisons between Anthony Edwards and Michael Jordan are increasing as Edwards keeps ascending through the 2024 NBA Playoffs. But it seems Edwards is sick of hearing his name next to the NBA’s greatest player, openly telling FOX Sports that he wants the Jordan comparisons to stop.
“I want it to stop. He’s the greatest of all time. I can’t be compared to him.”
Edwards’ respect for Jordan is clear, but it seems he’s more focused on being the best he can be rather than hold himself to becoming the next Jordan. He doesn’t even care to be the face of the league unless it means the Timberwolves as a whole would be the faces of the NBA.
“I don’t really care. Whoever they make the face of the league — they don’t pick me or if they pick me — it doesn’t really bother me. I’m just trying to win with my teammates. I don’t really care about being the face of the league. If my team could be the face of the league, that would be great.”
Edwards had dismissed the Jordan comparisons in December 2023 as well, but his continued improvement since has put an even larger spotlight on his similarities with Jordan.
“I just want them to stop. He’s the greatest to ever play basketball. And I’m so far from it.”
Edwards is averaging 33.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists through the 2024 NBA Playoffs, dominating opponents on both sides of the ball. He is not Jordan or the second-coming of Jordan but he seems to have all the athletic and defensive tools to be an all-time shooting guard, along with the shooting touch of modern players.
The Michael Jordan Comparisons Won’t Stop
Even if Edwards wants these talks to stop, the nature of basketball discourse means it’ll be brought up consistently for the rest of his career. He can’t escape it, especially with how similar his on-court style is to Jordan’s. Even the GOAT has sent commendations Edwards’ way through Stephen A. Smith.
“I called the GOAT. Me and Wilbon called him, the GOAT, Michael Jordan. We’re like, ‘Yo, you seeing this?’ Michael Jordan was like, ‘That brother is special, no question about it.'”
The comparisons have been floating around the league since Edwards was drafted in 2020, but Kevin Garnett comparing Edwards to the ’80s version of Jordan is what got the conversation moving. Since then, we’ve seen more and more people make this comparison.
Even Edwards’ teammate Mike Conley sees the similarities.
“Obviously, they have a lot of the same mannerisms. The moves, the fadeaways, the athleticism, the poster dunks, the blocks, the defensive stuff that he does. But really, just his drive is kinda the main thing. That same kind of work ethic, that same kind of ‘I don’t sleep at all at night because I’m ready to play, I’m ready to hoop.'”
The pressure of living up to Jordan can be too much to deal with, so Edwards is doing the smart thing by underplaying expectations. But if he continues on the trajectory he’s on, these comparisons will become commonplace.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
