Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Chris Hines has drawn a unique comparison between rising NBA star Anthony Edwards and legendary boxer Mike Tyson. While some fans and analysts liken Edwards' playing style to Michael Jordan, Hines believes Tyson's relentless and intimidating presence is a more fitting analogy.
In a conversation with The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski and Joe Vardon, Hines explained the rationale behind his comparison. He noted that Edwards, like Tyson, is exceptionally difficult to overcome once he detects fear in his opponents.
"And I'm like, 'Oh yeah, they f—-d up. It's over,'" Hines remarked. "Doesn't matter who's in front of him. He's going to figure out how to lock you the f-ck up or score on you every time and annihilate your whole team."
Comparing Edwards to Jordan at this stage is premature, according to Hines. Edwards, at just 22 years old, is only beginning to establish his legacy. In contrast, Jordan's age-22 season was cut short due to a broken foot, but he soon began a historic run, leading the league in scoring for seven consecutive seasons and securing three NBA titles.
Edwards himself has played down the Jordan comparisons. In an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews, he expressed a desire to be recognized for his unique style, with a subtle nod to his three-point shooting ability that distinguishes him from Jordan.
"I want people to be like, 'This Anthony Edwards kid, he's got his own style. He's maybe got a mix of Michael Jordan in him,'" Edwards said. "But I've got a trey ball, I can shoot the three. So, I think that makes me a little different than Michael Jordan."
The Tyson analogy also underscores Edwards' tenacity and resilience. Unlike Tyson, who struggled when he couldn't secure an early knockout, Edwards has shown an ability to persevere under pressure. This was evident in the Timberwolves' Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets, where they rallied to win crucial Games 6 and 7.
A two-time All-Star, Edwards is rapidly cementing his status as a superstar. This season, he earned his first All-NBA team selection and set multiple scoring records for the Timberwolves in the playoffs, with three of his top performances coming in the current postseason.
If Edwards can lead the Timberwolves, a franchise historically overshadowed in the NBA, to a championship, his reputation and influence in the league will soar to unprecedented heights.