People try to search for glimpses of Michael Jordan in newer players. But such expectations are difficult to meet. However, this year, we have someone meeting the golden standard of the NBA. We are talking about the T-Wolves’ star, Anthony Edwards. He’s the new kid on the block everyone seems to be talking about. And why not? His beastly performance does deserve the credit and all the comparisons he’s getting.
ANT is building that reputation, centering around his competitive spirit and his ability to display his high-flying skills. The control he has over his body and mental prowess is something older NBA fans remember seeing in Michael Jordan. Possibly this is something that led Charles Barkley to make that comparison. Just 24 hours after he pushed the Phoenix Suns out of the Playoffs series, Barkley was in awe of Edwards.
He went on air on TNT, and started to dissect his performance with those of the “Jordans and Kobe Bryants” of the older eras, hinting that because of these similarities, there’s a tough future ahead for the 22-year-old. Barkley said, “Young guys like Ant, Shai Gilgeous, Luka… Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown… The one guy, who I love, he (Edwards) is like, ‘I’m killing everything’. I haven’t seen that type of mentality since Kobe and Michael. They didn’t have any friends on the basketball court. They tryna hurt you and I love seeing that, but these guys out here, they be kissing and hugging too much for me.”
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Barkley also said that Bryant and Jordan would kill you to win a game, which is the kind of emotion people see in Anthony Edwards today. He said, “In today’s game, everyone wants to be buddy buddy… Anthony Edwards is letting everybody on notice… I’m not gonna wait for y’all to give me anything. I’m gonna take it all, and I love it.” Being their old friend, Barkley can be trusted when he says that because of their mental toughness on the court, Bryant and Jordan probably did not have a lot of friends.
Anthony Edwards, in his fourth season, averages 26.6 points, and 5.4 rebounds on 46.7% shooting. On the other hand, Jordan was averaging 35 points, 5.9 assists and 3.2 steals. But the table below will also show you how long the road is for Anthony to reach MJ’s legacy.
| Anthony Edwards | Michael Jordan | |
| NBA Championships | 0 | 6 |
| NBA Timeline | 2020-21 to 2023-24 | 1984-85 to 2002-03 |
| NBA Seasons | 4 | 15 |
| Playoffs Played | 3 | 13 |
| All-Star Games | 2 | 14 |
While Anthony was pushing for the Western Conference, Jordan was pushing for the Eastern one. Perhaps, this isn’t the only similarity, ANT’s athleticism and his ability to finish the game when he’s around the rim, or rather his desire and love for basketball, his passion, was all seen in Michael Jordan. Every fragment of emotion Edwards displays on the court cannot be copied or learned. It is unique.
Is Anthony Edwards mentally tougher than Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant?
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were spitting images of each other. The LA Lakers legend tried his might to copy MJ’s moves and worked hard to replicate him on the court. The one that he almost brought into his play from Jordan was mental toughness. In fact, some may say that the Black Mambawas tougher than the Chicago Bulls legend. Speaking of it, MJ himself said, “He was a mentally tough kid, maybe even tougher than I was… My fans didn’t like that he was trying to copy what I had done.”
Charles Barkley feels that ever since the legends have retired from the game, the NBA world has barely witnessed any toughness on the court until Anthony Edwards walked in. He seems to be a massive exception.
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Even though it’s too early to determine whether Ant-Man is tougher than the legends, in his brief span in the league, the rising superstar has done enough to be an approved candidate for praise. Firstly, he helped the franchise end its 20-season-long jinx last night.
After the series sweep against the Phoenix Suns, the Wolves grabbed their first-ever playoff series win since 2004. On top of that, he showcased his toughness throughout the series against the player whom he idolized in his childhood. Edwards went after Kevin Durant and chirped at him whenever he had the opportunity.
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He also created an iconic moment for all ages. The rising superstar dropped a three-pointer over KD and chirped at him on his way back to the defense. Slim Reaperdidn’t have much to say except for a simple grin. Now,Ant-Manhas another opportunity to showcase his toughness in the coming days, as the Wolves take on the Denver Nuggets in the conference semis. The Nuggets demolished the Lakers in the first round with a 4-1 series and are raring to defend their title.
Will Anthony Edwards & Co. weather the Nuggets storm? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
