In August 2024, when Anthony Edwards sparked controversy by claiming Michael Jordan was the only player from older generations with real skill, Magic Johnson didn’t hold back. The Lakers legend, who secured five championships during his career, fired back, saying he wouldn’t take advice from someone without a ring. “I never respond to a guy who’s never won a championship,” Magic stated. “I’ve got nothing to say. He didn’t win a college championship, I don’t even know if he won a high school championship.”

Fast forward to April 19, 2025, ahead of Game 1 of the Lakers’ first-round matchup against the Timberwolves. Magic had a different tone. On social media, he shared his thoughts about the Timberwolves’ rising star, Edwards. “I’m scared for my Lakers because the game’s most exciting player, superstar Anthony Edwards, is a matchup problem,” Magic wrote.

It’s interesting how Magic’s views have shifted, well him and Jordan might have something to do with it. During the opening game of the first-round playoff clash between the Lakers and Timberwolves, a compelling sideline report shed light on Anthony Edwards’ mindset heading into the high-stakes series. One of the broadcasters revealed that a Timberwolves assistant coach—who also serves as a player development coach—has been actively fueling Edwards’ competitive fire using a legendary NBA rivalry as inspiration.

“It’s player development coach is assistant coach, right here, has been sending Anthony Edwards video clips of the ’91 NBA Finals between Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson,” the commentator shared during the broadcast. “And in every clip, it was Michael going at Magic. His theme, his message to Edwards is: to beat the King, you can’t go around or under or over the King. You have to go through the King.”

Edwards definitely brought that mentality into the first half of Game 1. He led the Timberwolves into halftime with a 59-48 edge over the Lakers after Minnesota exploded for 38 second-quarter points. In just 24 minutes, Edwards tallied 14 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.

Anthony Edwards didn’t just show up to play — he showed up with purpose. His presence wasn’t only felt on the stat sheet, but in the moments that don’t get recorded. In the third quarter, when the Lakers tried to ramp up their pace and get LeBron James downhill in transition, Edwards made a statement.

He picked up LeBron full court — a bold, calculated decision considering LeBron’s greatest weapon might be his open-floor decision-making. Edwards wasn’t just trying to stop a possession. He was sending a message: You’re not running on us. Not on me.

Despite conceding size and strength, Ant disrupted LeBron’s rhythm. He absorbed contact, fought over screens, contested with discipline, and even when whistled for a foul, the psychological edge was clear — he had slowed the King down in his own domain. That’s a shift in mindset. That’s a rising star owning the responsibility of guarding legends, not avoiding them.

But Edwards didn’t stop there. Moments later, isolated on the left wing, he sized up Luka Doncic — the very player who ended Minnesota’s playoff dreams a year ago. With no hesitation, Edwards pulled out a high-difficulty sidestep three… and buried it in Luka’s face.

Then came the trash talk. Not the kind meant for the cameras — but the kind meant for Luka. The kind that says I remember last year. I haven’t forgotten who sent me home.

Go through the King. Go through the man who took you out. That’s Ant’s entire ethos right now.

It’s symbolic. It’s literal. And it’s dangerous for anyone in his path.

His all-around game was on full display, reflecting the growth that made him the league’s leader in three-pointers made during the 2024–25 regular season. Edwards also averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists this year—numbers that back up just how far he’s come.

And honestly, that drive to improve? It’s not the first time MJ’s fingerprints have been on it.

This isn’t the first time Michael Jordan has helped Anthony Edwards

April 11 wasn’t just another night on the schedule—it was the Anthony Edwards night. The Timberwolves smoked the Grizzlies 141-125, and Ant went absolutely nuclear with 44 points. He was locked in from the jump, sinking 13-of-19 from the field, 7-of-11 from downtown, and 11-of-13 at the line.

Not only did he become the first Wolves player to ever drop 44+ against Memphis, but he looked completely untouchable. After the game, he gave credit where it was due—his trainer, Christopher Hines. “C Hines, my trainer, told me to black out tonight, so I tried to do that,” Edwards said on TNT. And the fuel? “He sent me MJ videos every day about blacking out… MJ said something like ‘why would I worry about a miss if I haven’t took the shot yet?’”

But that level of composure didn’t come overnight. If you rewind a few months to January, Ant was clearly frustrated. Defenses were swarming him with double-teams—spacing was off with Karl-Anthony Towns shipped to New York and Julius Randle in. “I’m only 23, I don’t want to be just passing the ball all night, you feel me?” he told The Athletic. And here’s the plot twist—he didn’t just tough it out. He called Michael Jordan.

Yeah, Michael Jordan. The guy Ant gets compared to every other week. Fans joke he’s MJ’s long-lost son, and let’s be real—it’s not just because of the fadeaways and snarls. There’s a certain swagger, that alpha-dog energy you can’t fake. During the Wolves-Nuggets ESPN broadcast on 25th Jan, Mark Jones revealed Edwards called up Jordan a few weeks earlier to ask for advice on handling traps and double-teams. Since then, he’s looked different. Sharper. More patient. Deadlier.

Bottom line? Edwards isn’t just evolving—he’s studying greatness to become it.