Double teams, early struggles, and a call to MJ — how Minnesota’s rising star is rewriting the script.
When you’re 23 years old and already the face of a contending franchise, the spotlight gets heavy — and so do the defensive schemes. Just ask Anthony Edwards, who reportedly hit a wall earlier this season… then picked up the phone and called the greatest to ever do it.
“I was told by someone in his circle that three weeks ago Ant reached out to Michael Jordan on advice on how to handle some of the double teams and traps that he’s seeing,” said ESPN’s Mark Jones during the Wolves-Nuggets broadcast.
“He’s been extremely frustrated up until late.”
That frustration wasn’t just internal. In December, Edwards averaged just 20.5 points per game, often looking passive — a shift from his usual aggressive, downhill style. He admitted as much:
“I’m only 23. I don’t want to be just passing the ball all night, you feel me?”
“But the way that they’re guarding me, I think I have to.”
— via The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski
Channeling Jordan — and Dominating Again
Whatever Jordan told him, it worked.
Since that reported conversation, Edwards has flipped the switch, averaging 30.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 45% from three in recent weeks. He even dropped a career-high 53 points against the Detroit Pistons on January 4.
His bounce-back isn’t just about numbers — it’s about posture. He’s attacking traps with patience, dissecting double teams, and finding rhythm without forcing shots.
From struggling to scorching, Edwards has reasserted himself as Minnesota’s offensive engine.
The Playoffs — and the Pressure
With the Timberwolves surging into the Western Conference Finals after a 56–26 regular season, all eyes are now on Edwards to keep the momentum going.
The blueprint for playoff stardom often involves heartbreak, growth — and mentorship. If Jordan really gave him that clarity, it may be the moment Edwards officially leveled up from rising star to playoff killer.
“He Asked MJ” — A Sign of What’s Next?
Reaching out to Michael Jordan isn’t just smart — it’s symbolic. It shows Edwards isn’t just trying to survive elite defenses. He’s trying to master them.
And based on the way he’s torching teams lately, he just might be on his way.
