Anthony Edwards gave several legendary dunkers their respect, but he refused to put Michael Jordan above himself.
Anthony Edwards has never lacked confidence, and the Minnesota Timberwolves star maintained that reputation when asked to compare his dunking ability with some of the greatest high-flyers in NBA history.
During a game with Limited Edition Singapore, Edwards was instructed to break a stick whenever he heard the name of a player he considered a better dunker. The exercise produced a surprising mix of respect and self-belief from the 25-year-old guard.
Edwards immediately gave Julius Erving credit before doing the same for Dominique Wilkins, Blake Griffin, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, LeBron James and Vince Carter. Each player possesses a strong argument for inclusion among the best dunkers basketball has seen.
However, Edwards kept the stick intact when Michael Jordan’s name was mentioned, indicating that he considers himself a better dunker than the Chicago Bulls legend.
Edwards backs himself
Edwards also declined to place Ja Morant ahead of him, making Morant and Jordan the only two players mentioned who did not receive the nod.
His Jordan answer will naturally generate the most attention. Jordan won consecutive Slam Dunk Contests in 1987 and 1988, with his leap from the free-throw line becoming one of the NBA’s most recognizable images.
Jordan’s ability extended beyond contests. His body control, hang time and willingness to challenge centers made him one of the league’s most dangerous in-game finishers.
Edwards has built a growing collection of highlights of his own. His combination of strength and explosiveness allows him to finish through contact and overpower defenders near the rim. The 6-foot-4 guard has recorded 355 dunks through his first six NBA seasons.
I mean look at this dunk on John Collins that is still one of the nastiest dunks I have ever seen:
Still, Edwards’ decision to place Carter, Wilkins and several others above himself showed that his answer was not simply based on ego.
Jordan comparison continues
Comparisons between Edwards and Jordan have followed the Timberwolves guard throughout his career because of their similar builds, athleticism and competitive personalities.
Jordan even praised Edwards’ game in a message delivered by longtime broadcaster Ahmad Rashad in March. Edwards has repeatedly pushed back against broader comparisons because of everything Jordan accomplished, but he was willing to claim the advantage in this particular category.
There is no objective way to settle the debate. Jordan had more iconic moments and two dunk contest titles, while Edwards’ power gives his finishes a different level of force.
Edwards also appeared to have fun with the exercise, making it difficult to determine how seriously he intended the Jordan selection. His answer nevertheless fits the fearless mentality that helped turn him into one of the NBA’s most compelling stars.
Whether fans agree or not, Edwards has never been afraid to place himself alongside basketball’s biggest names.
