Comparing Anthony Edwards' age-22 season to Michael Jordan's in 1984-85
When burgeoning superstar guard Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs, he started getting compared to Michael Jordan.
After a second consecutive 40-point game – a playoff career-high 43 points, to be exact – to take Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets in Denver, those comparisons are gaining even more traction.
It isn't just about the stats, though. There's his gravity-defying dunks, his ability to mystify defenders, his body control down low and while he's in the air. There's also the confident swagger that comes with all of that dominance on film and success in the box score.
Given all of the comparisons, it is only fitting to see a side-by-side look at each player's stats during their age-22 season. Here's how that looks.
OPINION: Anthony Edwards has looked a lot like Michael Jordan, and it's OK to say that
Anthony Edwards-Michael Jordan age-22 season comparison
Here's how the two players' stats compare during their age-22 season. Notably, this is Edwards' fourth season in the NBA, whereas Jordan turned 22 years old during his rookie season after three years at North Carolina.
Also of note: Basketball Reference list the 1985-86 season to be Jordan's age-22 season, but he missed 64 games with a broken foot in that season. Instead, we're using the 1984-85 season to give a more comparable sample size.
Edwards (2023-24) vs. Jordan (1984-85) regular season stats
| Games Played | Points per game | Rebounds per game | Assists per game | Steals per game | Blocks per game | Field goal percentage | 3-point percentage* | Free throw percentage | |
| Michael Jordan | 82 | 28.2 | 6.5 | 5.9 | 2.4 | 0.8 | .515 | .173 | .845 |
| Anthony Edwards | 79 | 25.9 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | .461 | .357 | .836 |
Edwards (2023-24) vs. Jordan (1984-85) playoff stats
| Games Played* | Points per game | Rebounds per game | Assists per game | Steals per game | Blocks per game | Field goal percentage | 3-point percentage | Free throw percentage | |
| Michael Jordan | 4 | 29.3 | 5.8 | 8.5 | 2.8 | 1.0 | .436 | .125 | .828 |
| Anthony Edwards | 5 | 33.4 | 7.8 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 1.0 | .532 | .436 | .865 |
Anthony Edwards reacts to Michael Jordan comparisons
As various fans and analysts continue to praise Edwards' game, the Timberwolves' guard doesn't want to keep hearing comparisons to Jordan.
"I want it to stop," he told FOX Sports. "He's the greatest of all time. I can't be compared to him."
NBA PLAYOFF BRACKET: Results, schedule, and full NBA postseason picture
When is the Timberwolves' next game?
- Date: Monday, May 6
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
- How to watch: TNT/truTV; Max; fuboTV
- Moneyline (courtesy of BetMGM): Nuggets (-250); Timberwolves (+200)
HOW TO WATCH: Catch the Timberwolves-Nuggets series with a fuboTV subscription
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Paste BN Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.