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The Anthony Edwards-Michael Jordan comparisons have reached a fever pitch with the Minnesota Timberwolves taking a 2-0 lead over the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
On Wednesday, Dan Patrick asked Wolves head coach Chris Finch about them, and he got this response (1:12 mark).
“I mean, stylistically, they might be. I think there’s a long, long, long way to go in terms of, you know, championship-level sustainability and all that. But the confidence is there. The swagger is there, it’s all real. I can tell you that it’s 100 percent real.
“One of the things that’s really great about coaching Ant though is that he’ll still be very honest and tell you what he doesn’t know, tell you what he needs to get better at. His self-awareness is very high. He has a bit of an old soul in that way, and he’s never shied away from the moment.
“Like that was apparent from early on. I remember going into the very first playoff series against Memphis, I think he had 36 in Game 1 against Memphis.
“And you never know how a young player is going to react. Some players take years to try to figure it out in the playoffs, but that’s not been the case for him. He’s been, the bigger the game, the more he actually relishes.
“Sometimes with Anthony, it’s harder to get him revved up and focused on a game in February on a Tuesday night, those are some of the the challenges he has a hard time motivating himself, but when it’s a big moment, he’s always going to be there.”
For his part, Edwards isn’t having the comparisons.
“I want it to stop,” Edwards told Melissa Rohlin of FOX Sports. “He’s the greatest of all time. I can’t be compared to him.” When asked if he rejects them from a pressure standpoint, he added: “”No, no pressure. It’s just not possible.”
But they won’t stop. The comparisons/similarities talk has come from teammates, franchise legends and even the GOAT himself.
NBA on TNT @NBAonTNT
Shaq: “Who does Anthony Edwards remind you of?”
Mike Conley: “A young Michael Jordan.” pic.twitter.com/ERAcZIpUti
All the Smoke Productions @allthesmokeprod
“Edwards is lke 84′ Jordan.” @KevinGarnett5KG with HIGH PRAISE for Anthony Edwards 😳
Tap In: https://t.co/Rh8z0kmQaX#NBA #NBATradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/44ZEG7tlwO
If Edwards continues this torrid stretch, and the Timberwolves keep winning, the MJ talk will grow louder.
At 22, Edwards has led Minnesota to six straight wins to begin the playoffs, including a four-game first-round sweep of Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
Now three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets are on the ropes thanks in part to Edwards, who has now averaged 36.5 points per game over his last four.
Edwards and the Timberwolves will look to take a 3-0 West semifinal series Friday evening when the series shifts to Minneapolis.
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