Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards made headlines when he reached out to basketball legend Michael Jordan for specialized training advice during the offseason. Anthony Edwards Training with the best. The young guard sought guidance from the six-time NBA champion on how to handle the increasing defensive pressure he faces as a primary scoring option.
Edwards specifically wanted Jordan’s expertise on beating double teams and traps that opposing defenses use to limit his offensive impact. Edwards reached out to Jordan three weeks ago according to sources close to the situation, showing his commitment to elevating his game to the next level.
The training partnership represents Edwards’ dedication to learning from one of basketball’s greatest players. Jordan’s influence has already shown results, as Edwards used Michael Jordan-inspired strategies in his 44-point performance against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Key Takeaways – Anthony Edwards training with Michael Jordan
- Anthony Edwards trained with Michael Jordan to learn how to handle double teams and defensive traps
- The collaboration resulted in improved on-court performance including a 44-point game against Memphis
- Edwards continues working on Jordan-inspired techniques to become a more complete player
Anthony Edwards’ Offseason Training and Michael Jordan’s Influence
Anthony Edwards reached out to the NBA legend for guidance on handling double teams and defensive pressure. The structured training program focused on developing Edwards’ playmaking abilities and decision-making skills under intense defensive schemes.
How the Offseason Training Was Structured
Edwards contacted Michael Jordan three weeks into his training program to address specific weaknesses in his game. The Minnesota Timberwolves star was struggling with increased double teams from opposing defenses.
The training sessions emphasized multiple aspects of Edwards’ development:
Key Training Elements:
- Film study of Jordan’s game footage
- Double team recognition drills
- Playmaking development exercises
- Physical conditioning programs
Edwards incorporated boxing into his routine alongside traditional basketball workouts. The offseason regimen included daily gym sessions with weight training components.
Jordan’s influence shaped the structure around handling defensive pressure. The focus shifted from purely scoring to creating opportunities for teammates when faced with traps.
Lessons Learned from Michael Jordan
Jordan shared his experience dealing with the “Jordan Rules” defense that the Detroit Pistons used against him early in his career. The NBA legend emphasized the importance of trusting teammates and involving them in offensive plays.
The core lesson centered on evolution as a player. Jordan explained how he developed a post-up game and learned to handle double teams and traps effectively.
Edwards learned that passing doesn’t diminish his scoring impact. Jordan taught him that elite players adapt their game based on defensive attention.
Jordan’s Key Teachings:
- Trust teammates in double team situations
- Develop multiple offensive skills
- Use defensive pressure to create advantages
- Maintain aggressive mindset while being smart
The advice proved effective immediately. Edwards averaged 30.2 points and 6.2 assists in his next five games after the conversation.
Chris Hines’ Role in Edwards’ Development
Chris Hines worked as Edwards’ trainer during the offseason program. He helped structure the training sessions that incorporated Jordan’s advice into daily practice routines.
Hines emphasized the mental aspects of Edwards’ game development. The trainer focused on helping Edwards understand when to score versus when to facilitate for teammates.
The training partnership created a system for applying Jordan’s lessons practically. Hines designed drills that simulated the double team scenarios Edwards faced during games.
Edwards credited his trainer with helping him process Jordan’s guidance effectively. The Michael Jordan lesson his trainer hammers home focuses on leadership development.
The collaboration between Edwards, Jordan, and Hines created a comprehensive development approach. This partnership addressed both the technical and mental aspects of handling increased defensive attention at the NBA level.
On-Court Growth and Impact During the 2025 NBA Playoffs
Edwards transformed his approach during Minnesota’s playoff run, shifting from individual heroics to team-first basketball while maintaining his explosive scoring ability. The Timberwolves benefited from his improved decision-making in crucial moments, though they faced significant challenges against elite Western Conference competition.
Edwards’ Mentality and Mindset Shifts
The All-Star guard underwent a major mental transformation during the 2025 playoffs. Edwards moved away from his previous “hero-ball” tendencies that had hurt the team in regular season clutch situations.
Edwards’ evolution began with understanding basketball history. His trainer Chris Hines taught him that Michael Jordan relied on teammates like Steve Kerr for crucial shots.
“My trainer Hines always tells me, ‘Michael Jordan had Steve Kerr,'” Edwards explained. This lesson helped him trust his teammates more.
The mindset shift showed in the numbers. Edwards posted 15 points on 4-for-7 shooting during clutch time across 14 playoff minutes. More importantly, he recorded five assists with zero turnovers in those pressure moments.
This represented a complete change from his regular season struggles. During the 2024-25 regular season, Edwards went 0-for-7 on tying or go-ahead shots in the final seconds.
Playmaking Improvements and Team Involvement
Edwards embraced a more balanced offensive approach during Minnesota’s playoff run. He developed a mental rhythm of mixing shots with passes to keep defenses guessing.
“Every three possessions, I’m going to shoot one out of three,” Edwards said about his new strategy. This helped him avoid the tunnel vision that plagued his earlier playoff appearances.
The improvements showed in key moments against Golden State. When triple-teamed by three defenders, Edwards found Julius Randle instead of forcing a difficult shot.
His catch-and-shoot skills improved after working with Team USA coach Steve Kerr. Kevin Durant specifically told Edwards that catch-and-shoot ability would be crucial for his development.
Key Playoff Statistics:
- 25.3 points per game
- 7.8 rebounds per game
- 5.5 assists per game
- Most assists without turnovers in clutch time (2025 playoffs)
Mike Conley praised Edwards’ growth as a complete player. The veteran point guard emphasized how Edwards learned to stay aggressive while processing defensive help.
Challenges in the Western Conference Finals
The Timberwolves faced their toughest test against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Minnesota fell behind 3-1 in the series despite Edwards’ strong individual performance.
Edwards averaged impressive numbers throughout the playoff run but struggled against Oklahoma City’s defense. The Thunder’s young, athletic lineup created problems for Minnesota’s offensive system.
The series highlighted both Edwards’ growth and remaining limitations. While he showed better decision-making than previous playoffs, the team couldn’t overcome Oklahoma City’s depth and defensive intensity.
Minnesota’s championship hopes ended short of the NBA Finals. However, Edwards’ playoff performance established him as a legitimate superstar capable of leading deep postseason runs.
Notable Moments Against the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder
Edwards delivered several memorable performances during Minnesota’s playoff journey. His most impressive showing came in a crucial elimination game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The young star scored key points in the fourth quarter while making smart passes to open teammates. This balanced approach helped the Timberwolves advance past LeBron James and the Lakers.
Against Oklahoma City, Edwards faced a different challenge. The Thunder’s switching defense forced him to work harder for quality shots throughout the series.
Despite the series loss, Edwards proved he belonged among the NBA’s elite players. His combination of scoring ability and improved playmaking established him as a future championship contender.
The playoff run validated Edwards’ potential as a franchise cornerstone. At just 23 years old, he demonstrated the skills needed to compete at the highest level of professional basketball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edwards received daily video lessons from his trainer featuring Jordan’s mindset and approach to handling defensive pressure. The training focused on beating double teams and traps while developing the mental toughness Jordan was known for during his career.
What improvements has Anthony Edwards made to his game after training with Michael Jordan?
Edwards showed immediate results after working with Jordan’s techniques. He scored 44 points against the Memphis Grizzlies, which became the highest scoring performance by a Timberwolves player against that team.
His trainer sent him Michael Jordan videos every day about “blacking out” mentally during games. Edwards said Jordan’s advice about not worrying about missing shots before taking them helped change his approach.
The training helped Edwards handle double teams and defensive traps better. Edwards reached out to Jordan specifically for advice on dealing with these defensive strategies that teams were using against him.
How long did Anthony Edwards train with Michael Jordan during the offseason?
Edwards contacted Jordan about three weeks before reports surfaced in June 2025. The training sessions happened during the 2025 offseason period.
His trainer incorporated Jordan’s methods into daily practice routines. The video study sessions with Jordan’s footage became a regular part of Edwards’ preparation.
The mentorship extended beyond just physical training sessions. Edwards received ongoing advice and video analysis throughout the offseason period.
What specific skills did Anthony Edwards focus on while training with Michael Jordan?
Edwards worked primarily on beating double teams and defensive traps. These were the main areas where he sought Jordan’s expertise and experience.
Mental approach became a key focus of the training. Jordan taught Edwards about maintaining confidence and not letting missed shots affect future attempts.
Edwards studied Jordan’s playmaking abilities to improve his own court vision. The training included analyzing how Jordan created opportunities for teammates while being heavily defended.
The sessions also covered Jordan’s famous “black out” mentality. This approach helped Edwards stay focused during high-pressure game situations.
Can similarities be seen in Anthony Edwards’ play style after his training sessions with Michael Jordan compared to before?
Edwards adopted Jordan’s aggressive attacking mindset more consistently. His 44-point performance showed the mental approach Jordan taught him about not hesitating on shots.
The similarities in their playing styles became more apparent after the training. Both players share the shooting guard position and similar athletic abilities.
Edwards started using Jordan’s techniques for handling defensive pressure. He showed better decision-making when facing double teams and trap defenses.
His confidence level increased noticeably after the training sessions. Edwards displayed the type of mental toughness that Jordan was known for throughout his career.
What was the impact of Michael Jordan’s mentorship on Anthony Edwards’ performance in the regular season?
Edwards had his best individual scoring performance shortly after implementing Jordan’s advice. The historic 44-point game came directly after using Jordan’s mental approach techniques.
His ability to handle defensive pressure improved significantly. Teams that previously gave him trouble with double teams found it harder to slow him down.
Edwards showed more consistency in his shot selection. Jordan’s advice about confidence before taking shots helped reduce hesitation in his game.
The mentorship helped Edwards during a challenging season with the Timberwolves. Despite team struggles, his individual performance reached new heights.
Have any other NBA players joined Anthony Edwards in training sessions with Michael Jordan, and how have they benefited?
The search results do not indicate other current NBA players training alongside Edwards with Jordan. The mentorship appears to have been focused specifically on Edwards’ individual needs.
Jordan’s training methods have historically helped other players throughout his post-playing career. However, the recent sessions were tailored to Edwards’ specific challenges with defensive schemes.
The one-on-one nature of the mentorship allowed Jordan to focus on Edwards’ particular weaknesses. This personalized approach proved more effective than group training sessions.
