Timberwolves Anthony Edwards draws Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan-level praise from ex-Coach of the Year.

Anthony Edwards has received high accolades for his level of play this season, bringing comparisons to great players. Many NBA fans immediately connect Edwards to Michael Jordan due to subtle parallels in their appearance and playing styles as athletic, skillful two-guards.

Some have compared him to Dwayne Wade because of his combination of power and poise when driving to the basket. However, NBA TV pundit and former Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell made a different parallel for Edwards. On a recent episode of NBA Gametime, Mitchell mentioned the Timberwolves as a contender when asked if the Denver Nuggets were still the best in the West.

“I would think the club that can go deep and challenge Denver is Minnesota, especially if Karl Anthony-Towns joins them. In last year’s playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves proved to be the most challenging opponent for the Nuggets. With a year under his belt, Anthony Edwards is taking off, while Karl Anthony Towns is currently sidelined due to his previously established star status. We’re watching a superstar, and then that guy Rudy Gobert eats up a lot of space and blocks shots.

Rebounds and scores inside. And then you look at the rest of the Timberwolves’ roster. Everyone is suitable for their duty. They play hard. And many do not grasp this. Defense travels. They play defense. Two weeks ago, I watched them play against the Clippers. When the Clippers had them at 18. And they improved their defense, flipped the Clippers, and won by 18 points in the second half.”

He then went on to express his admiration for Anthony Edwards.

“So I’m going to suggest Minnesota because of that dude over there. Georgia’s number five. Anthony Edwards. He’s a different player. He is the closest thing I have seen. To Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, both mentally and physically. He has the same mentality. He tries to obtain 50 every night. He’s attempting to dominate you. And then he does what the other two guys did. He’s one of the few superstars now who can play both sides of the ball. He plays defense. So, he picks up

He gets into you. So what I’m seeing right now is that this young man will be a future MVP. And he is not afraid. I still believe Denver will win the West because of the Joker, Jamal Murray, and the two bookend forwards they acquired. Porter and those men. But I believe Minnesota, if Karl returns, can at least push him to five or six games.