Is Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards a reincarnation of NBA GOAT Michael Jordan?

The Minnesota Timberwolves and their superstar, Anthony Edwards, swept Kevin Durant's Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, winning 122-116 on the road.

According to the NBA website, the star of game four and the box office attraction in this year's playoffs scored 40 points in the close-out game, including 31 in the second half. 

The budding superstar was electrifying all over the court, showcasing his ability to score on all three levels and grabbing nine rebounds, six assists, and two blocks.

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In the opening four games of the NBA Playoffs, Edwards has averaged 31 points, drawing comparisons to the NBA's greatest-ever player.

Sports Illustrated reported that Michael Jordan's long-time friend and rival, Charles Barkley, said Anthony Edwards has the same killer mindset that separated Jordan and Kobe Bryant from the rest of the NBA.

NBA Hall of Famer Barkley said, "It reminded me so much of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. They would kill you to win a game. There are not many players like that in today's game. Everybody wants to be buddy-buddy."

"But man, Anthony Edwards is putting everyone on notice: 'yes, I'm not going to wait for you all to give me anything, I'm going to take it all.' I love it."

The first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has been dominant all season for the Timberwolves, leading them to the third spot in the Western Conference, averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. 

Since his retirement in 2003, Michael Jordan has voiced his opinion on current NBA players very few times, but even Edwards had got the GOAT talking about how special he is. 

Fox Sports analyst Chris Broussard relayed a message from the GOAT, with Jordan saying 'there are similarities in their game.'

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ESPN's Stephen A Smith also got word on Jordan's thoughts on the Minnesota Timberwolves superstar, with 'MJ' saying, "That brother is special, no question about it."

It's easy to compare the two players in their elite-level mindset and unique scoring ability, but their journeys in their young careers are similar.

Both Edwards and Jordan joined dying franchises when they were drafted, with Edwards joining Minnesota, which had come off a season with a record of 19 wins and 45 losses, compared to Jordan, who joined Chicago after 27 wins and 55 losses. 

Since they both joined, Edwards and Jordan propelled their teams into playoff contention, with Jordan taking the Bulls to the first round of the Playoffs and Edwards taking the Timberwolves to the opening round of the Playoffs last season against the Denver Nuggets. 

It took Jordan and the Bulls five seasons to be in NBA Championship contention, but in just his fourth year in the NBA, Edwards and the Timberwolves are already one of the favorites to potentially win a first NBA Championship after a dominant performance in the first round.

Michael Jordan delivered six NBA Championships to the Chicago Bulls in his career, and with Edwards still being only 22, will he enjoy similar success in the NBA? 

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