The comparisons between Anthony Edwards and Michael Jordan came to a head when the Minnesota Timberwolves took a 2-0 lead over the NBA’s protective champions, the Denver Nuggets, in the Western Conference semifinals.
On Wednesday, Dan Patrick asked Wolves manager Chris Finch about them and was given this answer (1:12).
“I mean, stylistically, they may just be. I think there’s a long, very long way to go in terms of sustainability at the point of the championship and all that. But the confidence is there. The arrogance is there, that’s all real. I can tell you it’s one hundred percent real.
“One of the really wonderful things about coaching Ant is that he’ll be very fair and he’ll tell you what he doesn’t know, he’ll tell you what he wants to do to get better. Their self-awareness is very high. That way you are given a bit of an old soul, and you never hesitate to enjoy the moment.
“As was clear from the beginning. I bet on the first playoff series against Memphis, I think I was 36 in the first game against Memphis.
“And you never know how a young player will react. Some players take years to check it out to figure it out in the playoffs, but that wasn’t the case for him. The bigger the game, the more you enjoy it. “
“Sometimes with Anthony, it’s harder to put him under stress and focus on a February game on a Tuesday night. These are some of the demanding situations you struggle with to motivate yourself, but when it’s a big time, you’re going to do it. Be there. “
Edwards, for his part, makes no comparisons.
“I need this to stop,” Edwards told FOX Sports’ Melissa Rohlin. “He’s the greatest of all time. I can’t compare myself to him. “Asked if he rules them out from a tension point of view, he added: “No, there is no tension. It’s just not possible. “
But they will stop. Discussions about the comparisons/similarities came from teammates, franchise legends, and even GOAT himself.
Shaq: “Who does Anthony Edwards remind you of?” Mike Conley: “A Michael Jordan. pic. twitter. com/ERAcZIpUti
“Edwards is like Jordan 84′”. @KevinGarnett5KG with BIG PRAISE for Anthony Edwards ? Press: https://t. co/Rh8z0kmQaX#NBA #NBATradeDeadline pic. twitter. com/44ZEG7tlwO
If Edwards keeps up this torrid streak and the Timberwolves win, MJ’s speech will get louder.
The 22-year-old Edwards led Minnesota to six straight wins to open the playoffs, a four-game first-round sweep of Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
Now, three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets are on the ropes thanks in part to Edwards, who is now averaging 36. 5 points per game in his last four games.
Edwards and the Timberwolves will look to win a 3-0 West semifinal series on Friday night when the series moves to Minneapolis.