Throughout the long-running history of the NBA, several remarkable players have set a benchmark for future generations. As a result, any young player who enters the league is often placed on a comparison scale with them. A similar situation is currently being faced by 22-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. His overall stats, playing style, and leadership skills have helped the Timberwolves reach the Conference Finals after a 20-year hiatus, and while doing so, he’s been dubbed as ‘the next Michael Jordan’.

Renowned sports radio personality Dan Patrick recently released another episode of his long-running show. During the conversation, he devoted a major segment to discussing Bronny James and how he is often compared to his father, Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James. This compelled Patrick’s co-host to highlight how, for quite some time now, the names of Anthony Edwards and Michael Jordan were appearing in the same sentence. However, given the current situation of the Timberwolves, the comparisons have drawn down now.

Unlike Bronny James, the co-host believes that the ‘Ant-Man’ cannot get the “benefit of the doubt”. He believes that comparing him to the Bulls legend is just a part of business. The sportscaster agreed, stating that such a situation is not something that the player would have even wanted.

“I’m old school, and that’s why as soon as those comparisons with Michael Jordan …. I said ‘He doesn’t want it, he never asked for it,” said Dan Patrick. “He can’t live up to that right now, nobody can”. In turn, the co-host replied, “The road of the NBA is littered with the bodies of former Michael Jordan-ses, and this dude (Edwards) doesn’t want it either”.

Dan Patrick is right in stating that Anthony Edwards himself does not wish to be compared to the six-time NBA champion. This is because he said so. The Timberwolves player told Malika Andrews during an interview highlighted on ‘Good Morning America’ that Michael Jordan is a name that would be difficult for anyone to live up to. Due to this, the only person he wishes to be compared with is himself.

“The first Anthony Edwards, not the next Michael Jordan,” said Anthony Edwards. “I want people to be like, ‘This Anthony Edwards kid, he got his own style like, he maybe got a mix of Michael Jordan in him,’ but I got a trey ball. That makes me a little different than Michael Jordan.”

Coach K believes people should “slow down comparisons” between Anthony Edwards and Michael Jordan

The Anthony Edwards-Michael Jordan comparison was at its peak during the ongoing playoffs. It emerged when he surpassed Kevin Garnett’s record by securing eight 30-point playoff games to his name. It emerged after he led the Timberwolves during the second round of the playoffs and defeated the defending champions Denver Nuggets. However, with the franchise currently holding a 1-3 record against the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference Finals, that confidence now seems to have diminished.

Renowned former college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, more commonly known as Coach K, recently talked about this issue. Similarly, Dan Patrick stated that the current people are busy with people wanting to give lists and comparisons. While he believes that Anthony Edwards is on his way to becoming one of the greats, he needs some more time before his prowess can be compared to the Chicago Bulls legend.

“People should just slow down comparisons,” said Coach K. “Jordan is as good as anyone who has ever played. Anthony Edwards is 23 years old. Michael Jordan did it his entire career. Jordan is bigger and a little bit longer. But in this day and age, Edwards has a chance to be that perimeter superstar”.

What are your thoughts on the whole ‘Anthony Edwards-Michael Jordan’ comparison? Let us know in the comments down below.

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