While some fans and analysts are quick to liken Anthony Edwards’ game to Michael Jordan, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Chris Hines sees a different kind of athlete in him: Mike Tyson.
Talking to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski and Joe Vardon, Hines pointed out how Edwards’ style resembles Tyson’s because “it’s hard to beat him” when he senses fear in his opponent.
“And I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, they f—-d up. It’s over,'” Hines said. “Doesn’t matter who’s in front of him. He’s going to figure out how to lock you the f-ck up or score on you every time and annihilate your whole team.”
Sure, comparing Edwards to Jordan might be a stretch right now. Edwards is only 22, and this is his first real playoff run. Jordan, at 22, was in his second NBA season and played just 18 games due to a broken foot. He came back the next season and kicked off one of the greatest stretches in sports history, leading the league in scoring for seven straight seasons and winning three straight titles before his first retirement.
Edwards isn’t too keen on the Jordan comparisons either. He told ESPN’s Malika Andrews he wants to be known for his own style, taking a slight dig at the Hall of Famer.
“I want people to be like, ‘This Anthony Edwards kid, he’s got his own style. He’s maybe got a mix of Michael Jordan in him,'” Edwards said. “But I’ve got a trey ball, I can shoot the three. So, I think that makes me a little different than Michael Jordan.”
Unlike Tyson, Edwards and the Timberwolves fought back in the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, winning Games 6 and 7.
A two-time All-Star, Edwards is clearly becoming a superstar. He made the All-NBA team for the first time this season. The Georgia native has the top four scoring games for a Timberwolves player in the playoffs, with three coming this postseason.
If Edwards can lead the Timberwolves, a franchise often overlooked, to an NBA title this season, his already high stock will skyrocket.
Photo Courtesy : Bleacher Report
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