Anthony Edwards Declared a “Problem for the League” Moments After Entering Kobe Bryant’s 40-Point Club

Anthony Edwards is yet to lose a game in the playoff this year, as his Minnesota Timberwolves crushed the defending champs Denver Nuggets to take a lead in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. The young shooting guard dropped a playoff career-high today, to steal the home game from the Nuggets, which sent a wave of shock in the basketball community. While many would go on and compare Ant-Man to Michael Jordan, Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki wanted to put him in the same conversation as the late Kobe Bryant for one reason. 

Edwards dropped 43 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, to help the Wolves beat the Nuggets 106-99. Nowitzki, who made a special appearance on Inside the NBA by replacing Shaquille O’Neal for Game 1, shared, “Anytime you can be on a list with Kobe (Bryant), you’re doing something right. This guy[Edwards], his future is so bright, so talented, so hungry, he’s going to be fun to watch and a problem for the league for the next 15 years.“

This comparison came after Edwards joined Bryant on a historic list. The Timberwolves guard is the only player after the Black Mamba to score back-to-back 40-point games in the playoff at the age of 22 or younger. The Los Angeles Lakers legend achieved this feat in 2001 against the Sacramento Kings. Notably, the Black Mamba won his second championship that year. So, it’s safe to say Edwards is on the right path.  

Nowitzki was great on his first appearance at the Inside the NBA today. He not only analyzed Edwards’s game but also a few other stars from the Timberwolves who made a mark today.

Dirk Nowitzki appreciates the X-factors from Game 1 for the Minnesota Timberwolves

Kenny Smith started, “Great defensive effort by Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns at the end, even though he was in foul trouble and Naz Reid. Those three guys sped the Joker up for the first time I’ve ever seen.” Nowitzki was on the same page as Smith. He analyzed, “It’s almost like he[Jokic] was trying to dribble too much. You know they got three 7-footers to throw out at him. He had to do a lot, he’s dribbling dribbling cross court, throwing hook passes. It was too much.”

He added about the Wolves, “I do like Minnesota, their depth, their length. They’re going to be tough to beat in this series.” Naz Reid scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, and KAT finished the game with a solid 20-point performance. Rudy Gobert grabbed 13 rebounds and was a menace on the defense, as always. The Wolves have shown what they are capable of, and Nowitzki is loving it. But who does Edwards remind you more of? Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant?