Anthony Edwards Aims To Replicate Jordan Hype With Latest Adidas AE1 Debut: “Want Y’all Sitting Outside”

Anthony Edwards has often drawn comparisons to Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan due to their tenacious mentality and ability to lock players while defending. The comparisons started to swirl when an anonymous NBA scout told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that the 2020 first-overall pick is “the next Michael Jordan” and the rest of the NBA world followed suit. Next up was Philadelphia 76ers veteran Patrick Beverley, who shares the same belief as the anonymous scout.

However, as for Edwards, it is not just MJ’s on-court prowess that he wants to emulate. As his first signature shoe hits the stores, ANT aspires to replicate the success and love that MJ’s Jordan line enjoys.

Anthony Edwards wishes for AE1s to rival Jordan’s hype

The Adidas AE1 in the cream orange “With Love” colorway was released to the general public today, December 16. However, Edwards has only one benchmark for his signature shoes: to match the hype of Jordans. In a recent interview, he said, “I want y’all to be sitting outside how y’all be sitting outside for them Jordans. I want y’all sitting outside for them AE’s man.”

However, emulating the same kind of success might be a difficult task. Nike took a chance on budding rookie MJ and signed him to a record 5-year deal worth $2.5 million in 1984. And their bid paid off since that breakout star went on to have one of the greatest careers of all time. His first signature shoe, the Air Jordan 1s, released in April 1985, generated $126 million within a year. According to Centuro Global, MJ earned around $1.3 billion from his Nike deal until 2020, and that number has likely reached $1.6 billion in 2023, given the brand’s popularity.

While he wants his signature shoes to replicate the same kind of success as Mike’s sneakers, in the meantime, he also wants people to stop comparing the two.

Anthony Edwards wants Michael Jordan comparisons to stop

In a recent interview with Complex, Edwards revealed that he wants the Jordan comparisons to stop since Jordan is the greatest player to ever play the game, and his career to this point can’t hold a candle to His Airness. “He’s the greatest to ever play basketball and I’m so far from it. I’m like not even close, so l just wish it stopped, like stop comparing me to Michael Jordan,” said the T-Wolves shooting guard.

However, in the same interview, when asked if Jordan would be able to guard Edwards one-on-one, he stated, “Hell nah!” MJ made the All-Defensive First Team nine times and won the DPOY in 1988. Moreover, he led the league in steals three times in his career. So, for Edwards to say MJ can’t guard him was a bold claim.

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However, the 22-year-old explained, “I just don’t think he can guard me, no chance. I’m going do my thing. Yeah, he going to know who I am when the game is over.” Do you think MJ would struggle in a one-on-one situation against Anthony Edwards? Let us know in the comments!

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