Stephen A. Smith compares Anthony Edwards to Jordan, Kobe, Vince
If you didn't know before Thursday night that the Minnesota Timberwolves are the real deal, you probably do now because it was their first appearance on a nationally televised TNT broadcast and they made the most of it with an electrifying 15-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Leading the way was Anthony Edwards, who went wild by scoring 26 of his 28 points in the second half, including a lob pass to himself off the glass for a thunderous dunk. It was so good that mainstream sportscasters like Stephen A. Smith are now addicted.
"Listen to what I'm saying to you on national television," Smith said Friday morning on ESPN's First Take. "Right now when I see Anthony Edwards, I see in the making, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan. You know how I hate cold weather. I'll fly to Minnesota to see that brother. He is box office. Anthony Edwards, you hear what I'm saying to y'all, he is special.
"He ain't there yet, in terms of the names I mentioned, but he is coming and he is box office. Worthy of walking through the turnstiles to see that brother play. He is a show-stopper. I want the NBA to put the Minnesota Timberwolves on national television even more. Yes. Yes. Yes."
It isn't the first time Edwards, who is only 22 years old, has been compared to Michael Jordan. Patrick Beverley, who played with Edwards during the 2021-22 season, also made the comparison.
"If I say this, I know you guys are going to look at me like I’m crazy and I’m going to put all that pressure on that kid," Beverley said in March of 2022 on J.J. Redick's The Old Man and the Three podcast. "I told him, 'Man, you got a chance, man. You got a chance, brother, to be Michael Jordan. You really do. You really do.'"
Edwards is the leader of a Wolves team that leads the Western Conference with a record of 30-11, putting them on pace for exactly 60 wins.
Jan 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter at Target Center.
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
