In the NBA, greatness often passes from one generation to the next through lessons shared quietly behind the scenes a conversation in the offseason, a moment inside a training facility, a phone call between two competitors separated by eras. According to insiders familiar with player development circles, that’s exactly what happened this summer when Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, took a personal interest in advising Anthony Edwards, the rising superstar guard of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jordan reportedly spoke with Edwards directly, offering guidance on one of the most important challenges facing elite scorers today:
How to handle defensive double-teams the strategic weapon every great player must master.

And this season, that advice is already producing visible, game-changing results.

This is more than just a headline. It’s the story of a young star embracing greatness, applying wisdom from the GOAT, and evolving into one of the league’s most unstoppable offensive forces.

A Rare Connection: Jordan Sees Something Special

Michael Jordan doesn’t regularly pull active players aside to give strategic advice. Those who know him say he only intervenes when he sees something uniquely compelling a rare blend of talent, competitive fire, leadership instincts, and charisma.

Anthony Edwards checks every box.

Insiders say the conversation took place during the offseason, when Edwards crossed paths with Jordan at a private basketball event attended by NBA and business elites. Jordan watched him work out, studied his movement, and saw something familiar:
a young guard with the athleticism, swagger, and relentless drive reminiscent of Jordan’s own early years.

That’s when he stepped in.

Jordan’s Message: “Beat the Double, and You Control the Game.”

Jordan’s advice, according to sources, focused on the art of reading and punishing, defensive pressure. During his career, Jordan was one of the most heavily doubled players in NBA history, often seeing traps the moment he crossed half-court. His mastery of spacing, timing, footwork, and decision-making was what elevated him from elite scorer to unstoppable force.

Jordan reportedly stressed several key principles:

1. Anticipate the double before it arrives

By reading the defense early, Edwards could avoid being trapped instead of reacting to it.

2. Use the double-team to your advantage

Doubles create gaps elsewhere. Jordan emphasized turning pressure into opportunities for teammates and then striking again once defenses adjusted.

3. Stay patient, not rushed

Jordan told Edwards that the greatest players never let defensive pressure dictate their pace.

4. Attack where the help came from

A classic Jordan philosophy: always punish the rotation defender.

5. Use misdirection and body control

Jordan was a master of shifting defenders with subtle fakes and footwork, something Edwards is now showcasing more frequently.

It wasn’t just about technique, it was about mindset. Jordan reportedly told Edwards that doubles are a sign of respect:
“If they’re sending two, it means they fear you.”

Edwards Is Applying the Lessons And Dominating

This season, Edwards has been a different player when facing pressure. Last year, doubles often forced hurried shots, turnovers, or resets. Now, Edwards:

• recognizes traps instantly
  
• changes pace more effectively
  
• splits doubles with improved ball-handling
  
• uses his explosiveness at more strategic moments
  
• keeps teammates engaged with skip passes and kick-outs
  

When defenders close in, Edwards no longer looks anxious or rushed,  he looks calm, composed, and prepared.

His growth is especially visible in:

• late-game scenarios
  
• half-court sets
  
• side pick-and-roll traps
  
• baseline doubles
  
• transition pressure
  

Jordan’s fingerprints are all over Edwards’ improved poise.

The Result: A New Level of Offensive Mastery

Edwards’ evolution in handling double-teams has unlocked several new strengths:

1. Better Shot Selection

He’s creating cleaner looks by using defensive movement to his advantage.

2. More Playmaking

Edwards is finding teammates at the perfect moment especially shooters spaced out on the weak side.

3. Greater Control of Tempo

Jordan’s emphasis on pacing has made Edwards more unpredictable.

4. Elite Late-Game Execution

Pressure situations now highlight Edwards’ poise instead of exposing his inexperience.

5. More Efficient Scoring Nights

Instead of forcing contested shots, Edwards is picking apart defenses with precision.

This new maturity has played a role in his explosive scoring performances this season, including multiple clutch showcases and season-high outbursts.

Coaches See the Growth And They’re Impressed

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch and his staff have spoken repeatedly about Edwards’ expanding basketball IQ. They’ve noted improvements in:

• reading double-teams
  
• communicating adjustments
  
• balancing scoring and passing
  
• staying composed when pressured
  
• making the right play late in games
  

While Minnesota hasn’t publicly confirmed Jordan’s involvement, team sources say Edwards returned from the offseason with a noticeably sharper understanding of how to handle defensive complexity.

One assistant reportedly described it as:
“Ant looks like he’s figured out the cheat code.”

Why Jordan’s Advice Matters Beyond Technique

Jordan’s influence isn’t just about X’s and O’s, it’s spiritual, psychological, and motivational.

Jordan’s advice reinforces:

• confidence
  
• leadership
  
• competitive identity
  
• resilience under pressure
  
• the mindset required to be “the guy”
  

If Edwards embraces those elements and he already is, Minnesota may have one of the most dangerous late-game scorers in the league for years to come.

A Passing of the Torch? Not Official But Symbolic

Jordan almost never “mentors” active players. His competitive reputation and business ventures keep him selective. So when news broke that he personally advised Edwards, fans immediately recognized the significance.

Edwards has been compared to a young Jordan since entering the league:

• the explosive athleticism
  
• the confidence
  
• the charisma
  
• the scoring instincts
  
• the fearless approach
  

Jordan giving him advice only reinforces the growing belief that Edwards might be the NBA’s next great shooting guard.

The Timberwolves Are Benefiting Big Time

Edwards’ improved command of defensive reads has helped Minnesota:

• stay composed in close games
  
• improve offensive efficiency
  
• diversify scoring threats
  
• elevate their clutch performance
  
• strengthen their identity as a competitive Western Conference team
  

This isn’t just about Edwards,  it’s about the Timberwolves’ future.

Conclusion: The GOAT’s Guidance Is Fueling a Superstar in the Making

Michael Jordan’s off-season advice might become one of the defining storylines in Anthony Edwards’ rise. What began as a quiet exchange between two basketball generations has turned into a tangible shift in Edwards’ performance one that shows on the court every single night.

Edwards isn’t just scoring more.
He’s thinking the game at a higher level.
He’s controlling pressure instead of reacting to it.
He’s evolving into a true franchise leader.

And if this is the beginning of a mentorship, formal or informal the NBA may be witnessing the birth of its next iconic superstar.