Anthony Edwards: 'I'm so far from' Michael Jordan
Anthony Edwards doesn’t think anyone can guard him, even prime Michael Jordan.
That doesn’t mean Edwards wants to hear any comparisons between him and the six-time NBA champion for the Chicago Bulls who many consider to be the greatest basketball player of all-time.
Edwards’ former teammate Pat Beverley said he believes Edwards could be the next Jordan, and Edwards was asked to address the comment on Complex’s “360 with Speedy” episode that was released Thursday.
“I just want (the comparisons) to stop,” he said during the interview.
Why?
“(Jordan is) the greatest to ever play basketball, and I’m so far from it,” Edwards said.
It’s hard to argue with him. Not only did Jordan win six championships, he’s also the NBA’s fifth all-time leading scorer with averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists across his 15-year NBA career.
But Edwards is making his case as to why he should be considered among the NBA’s best in 2023 — he’s averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season.
And those averages were lowered by his early exit from Friday’s game at Memphis in which he scored no points and played just four minutes after reaggravating a right hip pointer.
Edwards averages 22 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists for his career.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates his basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at Target Center in Minneapolis on Nov. 22, 2023.
Brad Rempel / USA TODAY Sports
Despite disliking the comparisons to Jordan, he didn’t hold back later on during his interview when asked whether he thinks Jordan could guard him.
“Hell, nah,” Edwards said.
Jordan won a Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988 and is widely considered to be among the NBA’s best defenders, but that doesn't seem to dissuade Edwards that he could make life tough on arguably the greatest hooper ever.
“He gonna know who I am when the game is over,” Edwards said.
Edwards, who also revealed he wears fake chains during the interview, was also asked if there’s anyone in the NBA he still wants to have a dominant game against.
As you could imagine, he wants to do it against another player who’s arguably the best to ever do it.
“I always try to do that versus LeBron (James), but it never goes as planned because they always double team me,” Edwards said. “I always try to cook LeBron.”
Edwards won't have to wait long for his next chance to do so. The Wolves face James' Los Angeles Lakers twice in December — on Dec. 21 and Dec. 30 — and both games are at Target Center.
