When Michael Jordan speaks, the basketball world listens. And when he speaks about a rising star like Anthony Edwards, it’s more than just a soundbite - it’s a moment that resonates across generations of hoopers.
During a recent segment from NBC Sports’ “MJ: Insights to Excellence” series, Jordan opened up about a summer conversation he had with a Minnesota Timberwolves executive. The topic? Edwards, and the growing pains that come with being the focal point of an NBA offense - specifically, the challenge of navigating double-teams.
“I had a conversation this summer with a high executive at Minnesota and he was talking about Anthony Edwards,” Jordan said. “I heard during the course of the year that they were double-teaming him.
He didn’t know how to deal with the double team. Those are the types of conversations I try to have when players seek that information.”
Now, let’s pause there. When Michael Jordan - a player who saw every defensive scheme imaginable and still dominated - offers advice on handling pressure, it’s not just helpful, it’s gold. And for Edwards, who’s quickly becoming the face of the Timberwolves, that kind of insight couldn’t come at a better time.
Edwards has long admired Jordan. He’s studied his footwork, watched his film, and openly talked about the ways he’s trying to evolve his game - adding more control, more patience, and a better feel for the game when defenses crank up the intensity.
That’s where double-teams come in. They’re not just a tactic; they’re a message.
You’re good enough to warrant extra attention. The next step is learning how to punish defenses for that decision.
Jordan’s message is simple but powerful: getting double-teamed is a sign of respect, not a weakness. But it’s also a challenge - one that demands growth, vision, and poise. That’s the level Edwards is trying to reach, and having MJ in your corner, even for a single conversation, is the kind of thing that sticks with a player.
This moment also ties into another clip from the same NBC series, where Jordan reflected on the modern athlete’s obsession with branding. “I’m pretty sure I’m part of the reason why everybody tries to get a logo,” he said.
“But that brand was established based on what I did on the basketball court. I didn’t put the brand before I put the work.”
That line hits especially hard in today’s NBA, where off-court image can sometimes overshadow on-court production. For Edwards - a player still carving out his legacy - it’s a timely reminder that the real foundation of greatness is built between the lines, not on a marketing campaign.
The connection between these two clips - one about handling pressure, the other about earning your brand - paints a clear picture of what Jordan values: work ethic, growth, and substance over flash. And for a young star like Edwards, that’s the blueprint.
As Minnesota eyes a deeper playoff push, Edwards will continue to face defenses designed to wear him down. But now, he’s armed with advice from the ultimate competitor - someone who’s been there, done that, and built a legacy doing it the right way. If Edwards can take that message to heart, the Timberwolves might just have something special brewing in the West.