Anthony Edwards certainly has the on-court charisma of a young Michael Jordan.
Kevin Garnett makes little attempt to hide his bias. The undisputed greatest player in franchise history who still dreams of one day joining his former team’s ownership group, the Hall of Famer-turned-NBA media star has a clear interest in the Minnesota Timberwolves. Will that reality make his recent comparisons to Anthony Edwards less valuable? No specific age or timeline context is considered.
Showtime’s Rachel Nichols recently asked about Garnett compare him When it comes to rookie Michael Jordan, Edwards agrees with the Timberwolves’ “OG.”
“That’s OG, man, he means what he says. Anyone who wants to argue with him, you have to argue with Michael Jordan,” Edwards said. “I think he’s right, of course. ’84 Jordan. “He didn’t say 96, 97, he said 84. He’s looking for himself, so I agree with that. “
Why Anthony Edwards vs. 1984 Michael Jordan Comparisons Make Sense
Garnett’s comments come last week’s version Showtime all the smokewhen he, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins joined hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson for the popular podcast’s trade deadline special.
Pierce, Garnett’s media partner, close friend and former championship teammate on the 2008 Boston Celtics, didn’t initially think about KG comparing Edwards to a young Jordan. However, Pierce seemed to change his mind when Garnett made it clear that he didn’t think Edwards was on the career trajectory that would make Jordan one of the two greatest players of all time.
“I loved young Jordan in ’84, kid! You hear me? Listen!” Garnett said to Pierce. “That’s how I know he wasn’t watching the game!”
“I watched how he walked through the alley. If KAT wasn’t on this team, he would be averaging around 30 points per game! You hear what I’m saying to you? “He can get 15 more shots!” ” I continued.
What is the biggest similarity between Edwards and rookie Jordan in Garnett’s eyes? How aggressively they attack the paint on drives, ready to levitate in the air for gravity-defying dunks and acrobatic mid-air finishes.
“84! Go back and look, look at this little boy! This boy comes across (the driveway)…he turns the corner and if you weren’t there he would throw you into the (basket)! Boy, you don’t watch the game !” Garnett said to Pierce.
“I’m talking about him walking across the alley. Man, I’ve turned the corner try. He looks up around the corner and man, if you weren’t there, he’d be jumping in your ass! Man, listen – I’m talking about how he came off the screen…go check out Jordan in ’84! “
Jordan had one of his best first seasons ever in 1984-85, averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game. In addition to winning Rookie of the Year honors, the Chicago Bulls icon was named to the All-Star and All-NBA Second Team as a rookie and even finished sixth in MVP voting.
Edwards is just beginning to reach lofty league-wide heights in his fourth season. He will play in his second All-Star Game this weekend in Indianapolis, but he has never been named to an All-NBA team or been in the MVP voting in the first three seasons of his career. Top 10 – the lofty honor seems to be coming soon. The season is over.
But regardless, Garnett isn’t comparing Edwards to an early Jordan because of the overall quality of their respective games. Known for his signature fadeaway jumper, sharpshooting mid-range shooting ability and clutch dominance since retiring in 1995, Jordan was a completely different player when he first entered the league, possessing an unprecedented blend of ability. Explosiveness, body control and finishing ability.
Edwards did not eliminate In that regard, he lived up to the 1984 Jordan, whose extra weight and strength prevented him from managing the unreal dwell time that first propelled Jordan to superstardom. Ja Morant may be the closest closer to a nascent Jordan in the league today. A young Dwyane Wade’s ability to break through defenses and twist his body in the air is also reminiscent of Michael Jordan in the mid-1980s.
You don’t have to look hard to see the similarities between Garnett and Edwards and rookie Jordan, though. Imagine how excited Garnett would be if Edwards led the Wolves to the kind of team success Jordan had with the Bulls.