NBA play-offs: Is Anthony Edwards really the next Michael Jordan?

On 14 May, the Timberwolves’ dream was fading. They had just lost 112-97 in Denver. They trailed 3-2 in their Western Conference semi-final series.

Two Timberwolves victories, including a recovery from 20 points down in game seven, turned it all around.

In the media conference after that win, a reporter had a question for Edwards. He asked: “Did you tell the locker room staffer in Denver you were going to be back for game seven?”

Edwards was in before the questioner had finished.

“Hell yeah,” he said., external “I was in there. They know. I told them: I’ll see you for game seven.”

That confidence, matched with his tier-one ability, has forced the league to take notice.

With his turnaround fadeaways, a silky mid-range game and dunks that have an uncanny similarity to Michael Jordan’s brand logo, it is easy to see how the comparisons from fans and media have formed.

He has a way to go. He has only played 22 play-off games with an average 28.5 points – Jordan, in his first 22, had an average of 35.4 points.

But he is so confident in his ability that when asked whether Michael Jordan could guard him, external, the response was:

“Hell, no.”