Anthony Edwards Is Channeling Jordan-And It’s Showing Up Everywhere
Anthony Edwards didn’t just watch Michael Jordan highlights this summer-he studied them. He broke them down, dissected them, and applied them.
And now, 20-plus games into the season, we’re seeing the results in real time. Edwards is averaging a career-high 29.8 points per game, and the leap he’s made isn’t just about numbers-it’s about how he’s handling pressure, reading defenses, and dictating the game on his terms.
On Tuesday night, during NBC’s “Insights to Excellence” segment, Jordan himself shed a little light on the advice he gave to Edwards this offseason. The conversation started with a Timberwolves executive reaching out about Ant’s struggles with double teams.
Jordan’s response? That’s not a problem-it’s a compliment.
“I heard during the course of the year that they were double teaming [him],” Jordan said. “He didn't know how to deal with the double team. Well, that's the highest respect that you could ever get, if a team feels like they have to double team you.”
That’s classic MJ-turning pressure into pride. But he didn’t stop there.
Jordan offered tactical advice: move without the ball, get into the post, find scoring positions before the double team arrives. It’s simple on the surface, but it’s the kind of nuance that separates stars from superstars.
And Edwards has clearly taken it to heart.
Reading the Game Differently
This season, Edwards has taken on more of the lead guard responsibilities in Minnesota’s offense, and that shift has put him in the middle of more decision-making moments-especially when the double teams come. The growth is obvious.
While his assist numbers aren’t eye-popping, his reads are sharper, his handle is cleaner, and he’s making smarter plays under pressure. His turnover percentage is down to a career-low 10.4%, which is a strong indicator of improved poise and control.
But it’s not just what he’s doing with the ball-it’s what he’s doing without it.
Edwards is knocking down a ridiculous 53.1% of his catch-and-shoot threes. That’s elite territory, and it’s a major reason why teams can’t just trap him and expect him to disappear.
He’s also ranking in the 88th percentile on spot-up plays, per NBA.com. That’s where the off-ball movement Jordan emphasized really starts to pay off.
Then there’s the mid-range game-another area where Ant’s evolution is showing. He’s now hitting 40% from the mid-range, a career best.
That’s not just a nice number-it’s a key tool in his arsenal, giving him a way to score when defenders take away the paint and the three-point line. It’s also a sign that he’s learning how to operate in the in-between spaces, where great scorers thrive.
On a Scoring Tear
Right now, Edwards isn’t just improving-he’s exploding.
He’s dropped 30 or more in six straight games, averaging 38.3 points during that stretch. And it’s not just the volume-it’s the timing.
His second-half production has been nothing short of historic. Over the last six games, Edwards has scored 150+ points, made 50+ field goals, and hit 25+ free throws just in the second half and overtime.
The last player to do that? Kobe Bryant in March 2007.
That’s not just elite company-it’s rare air.
And it’s not like teams aren’t throwing everything at him. The Pelicans tried on Tuesday night.
They threw double teams, traps, physical defenders-you name it. Edwards answered with 44 points, including 34 in the second half and overtime.
He played the entire second half, willing the Timberwolves to an OT win. That’s not just skill.
That’s mindset. That’s Jordan-esque.
The MJ Effect
The timing of Jordan’s segment-airing just after Edwards torched New Orleans-was almost poetic. It wasn’t a nationally televised game, but it felt like a national moment. Edwards looked like a player who had internalized every bit of Jordan’s wisdom and applied it under the brightest lights.
He’s not just reacting to pressure anymore-he’s anticipating it, manipulating it, and thriving in it. That’s the leap. That’s what turns a rising star into a franchise cornerstone.
At 24, Anthony Edwards is stepping into a new tier. The numbers are loud, but the growth behind them is even louder.
Watching film of Jordan was one thing. Listening to his advice and translating it into real-world dominance?
That’s the mark of a player who’s chasing greatness-and starting to catch it.