Anthony Edwards was perfect in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Game 1 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, recording 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
And that functionality even left an impression on NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, arguably the most important player in the history of the game.
“This brother is special,” Jordan told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon, as Smith in Monday’s first shot (5:00 p. m. ). “There’s no question about it. “
There’s no doubt that Edwards is one of the young rising stars in the game. He’s already a two-time All-Star at the age of 22 and just set career highs in trouble (25. 9 GPA), assists (5. 1 APG) and shooting. percentage (46. 1%) this season, while appearing on 79 snaps overall.
That helped set the pace for a 56-26 season for the Timberwolves, for the third seed in this year’s playoffs and a first-round game against the Suns.
His respect for the NBA grew. In a vote conducted through Sam Amick and Josh Robbins of The Athletic, 10. 3% of the 136 electors said they would pick Edwards first if they built a franchise from the ground up. Only 20-year-old rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama (27. 9%) and two-time league MVP Nikola Jokić (27. 2%) got more votes.
He probably also earned the respect of one of his NBA heroes, Kevin Durant, in Game 1 after an industry went viral. After hitting a three-pointer, Edwards got some sauce for Durant as the two returned to the other side of the game. court:
TALK, TALK, ANT!! #RaisedByWolves // #NBA pic. twitter. com/egFCB5SbCR
A four-part story#WolvesBack || #NBA pic. twitter. com/HjBTsXTS8A
It’s a spotlight for the young star.
“I think everybody here knows he’s my favorite player of all time,” Edwards told reporters about the Durant trade. “It’s probably one of the most productive emotions of my entire life, that’s for sure. “
And his veteran counterpart didn’t seem to mind at all, calling the back-and-forth “just nonsense. “
“You’re hot, you’re making tough shots and you’re feeling excited about yourself,” Durant added. “He did it. “
Yes, he did. Enough to catch the eye of a legend like MJ.