Sports
NBA Insider Reveals Young Star Who’s Modeling His Game After Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are both considered among the greatest players in NBA history, inspiring millions during their legendary careers.
The two shooting guards were both talented prospects coming into the league, but no one foresaw the success each of them would go on to have.
Michael Jordan was drafted in 1984 and had to pay his dues throughout the 1980s before constructing one of the league’s greatest dynasties in the 1990s. The
Chicago Bulls won six titles in eight years with MJ as the franchise centerpiece.
Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant found team success at a very young age alongside Shaquille O’Neal, winning three championships in the early 2000s.
While the highly successful duo eventually split up, Bryant continued to improve and eventually collected two more rings in 2009 and 2010.
|
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant NBA Career Stats and Accolades |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Category |
Michael Jordan |
Kobe Bryant |
|
Points per game |
30.1 |
25.0 |
|
Assists per game |
5.3 |
4.7 |
|
Rebounds per game |
6.2 |
5.2 |
|
Steals per game |
2.3 |
1.4 |
|
Blocks per game |
0.8 |
0.5 |
|
Career accolades |
5x NBA MVP, 6x NBA Finals MVP, 14x All-Star, 10x All-NBA First Team, 1x All-NBA Second Team |
1x NBA MVP, 2x NBA Finals MVP, 18x All-Star, 11x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team |
|
NBA titles |
6 |
5 |
Michael and Kobe were admired not only for their achievements and playing styles, but also for their insurmountable wills. This mentality motivated both players to constantly adapt their games, especially as Father Time began to hit.
There’s one player who is trying to follow that blueprint, and he has an opportunity to be the next face of the NBA.
The one player who is modeling his game after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are all in the twilight of their careers, and while Nikola Jokichas been the league’s best player for a few years now, the title of new face of the NBA is still up for grabs.
Plus, the Serbian center, much like Tim Duncan, has never been all that interested in that mantle anyway. There is, however, one multi-time All-Star who does want to be the new face and the best player in the world.
That player is Anthony Edwards. The
Minnesota Timberwolves‘ superstar has led his franchise to two straight Western Conference Finals appearances and, at 24 years old, still has his best basketball ahead of him.
According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, Edwards isn’t taking this stage of his career for granted. In fact, the young shooting guard is following the right blueprint in his climb to the top.
“This offseason, Anthony Edwards’ No. 1 focus, a new area of development, and that’s the post-up game. The mid post, the high post, low post, establishing a midrange game and the fadeaway shot from the post ala Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. I’m told he’s been watching a lot of tape of Kobe and MJ. My understanding is Minnesota believes this part of his game potentially will become a go-to element, especially as the game stagnates down the stretch, gets slower, particularly come playoff time. Anthony Edwards has understood he needs to take the next step in his game if this team is going to take the next step.”
Anthony Edwards has a chance to be the new face of the NBA
Anthony Edwards has been gradually improving throughout his career and is coming off a season in which he averaged career highs in points and three-point efficiency. Even more encouraging is the fact that the 2020 No. 1 overall pick has been at his best in the playoffs.
Edwards is coming off a season where he led Minnesota past the
L.A. Lakers and
Golden State Warriors before falling to the
Oklahoma City Thunder.
|
Anthony Edwards NBA Career Stats and Accolades |
|
|---|---|
|
Category |
Anthony Edwards |
|
Points per game |
23.9 |
|
Assists per game |
4.2 |
|
Rebounds per game |
5.3 |
|
Steals per game |
1.3 |
|
Blocks per game |
0.6 |
|
Career accolades |
3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Second Team |
Similar to the 2024 Western Conference Finals, the dynamic shooting guard was outplayed by a fellow superstar. In 2024, it was Luka Doncic, and in 2025, it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Edwards ultimately understands that there is another level to his game, and that is improving both as a playmaker while also developing a go-to midrange repertoire for clutch-time scenarios.
These are precisely the kind of improvements that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant made to take the next step. Right now, Anthony is on the right path as he looks to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to their first-ever NBA championship.
The 2025-26 NBA season begins later this month!
Sports
Man Utd Show Aggressive Interest in Signing Gilberto Mora
Manchester United are among the clubs showing a strong interest in Mexico sensation Gilberto Mora after his performances at the World Cup, according to TEAMtalk.
The Red Devils are keen to add to their midfield this summer after losing Casemiro at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has suffered a serious knee injury. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been brought in for a combined fee of £85m, but the club are now pushing for a third midfielder to complete the rebuild.
A number of names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the club have now emerged as one of the teams taking a close look at the supremely talented teenager.
Man Utd Eyeing Gilberto Mora
Mora, who has been described as ‘fearless’ and compared to Barcelona star Pedri, shone for Mexico during the World Cup this summer despite being just 17, and has now attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs.
Man Utd are understood to have shown an aggressive early interest in a deal for the Tijuana central midfielder, but they have got strong competition for his signature.
Liverpool have made direct contact over a deal, while the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, PSG, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Mora is understood to prefer a move to Real Madrid as his dream scenario, but he is not pushing to leave the Mexican side, who value him at around £25m due to the growing interest around him.
It’s also stated that Tijuana have a structured release clause as part of his contract which is designed to protect their interests, while his current deal runs until 2029, meaning they are under no pressure to sell this summer.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Mora is a Superstar in Waiting
Man Utd are in the market to strengthen their midfield options, but they are looking for players who can walk straight into the first-team and make an immediate impact.
While Mora is undoubtedly a superstar in the making, whether he could walk into the Premier League aged 17 and be someone who can affect games the way United need him to is a major question mark.
Should the club decide to proceed with a move for the teenager, it would likely be an extra deal, rather than the final midfield signing of the window. But they would have to put together a major pitch to convince him to join them over all the other interested clubs, which makes this a situation to watch in the coming weeks.
Sports
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record to Sign Bradley Barcola
Liverpool are now ready to smash the British transfer record again to sign a ‘world-class’ star for Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool chiefs are working overtime to strengthen Iraola’s squad ahead of the new season, with the only brand-new arrival so far this summer being Victor Munoz.
In a summer where the Reds have lost some key voices from the dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, and off the back of a disappointing season, that is clearly not enough.
A freshen up of the squad is needed and one of the big priorities is bringing in a replacement for Salah, who has been such a key player for the Merseyside outfit for a number of years in terms of his quality and extraordinary record of goals and assists.
As well as needing a response in the Premier League after a miserable defence of their crown, Iraola will also want to perform better than they did last term in the Champions League too.
While the Reds have decent depth on the left flank in Munoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, that depth is lacking on the opposite side, with Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong two of the main options available there.
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record for Bradley Barcola
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now ready to ‘demolish’ their transfer record to sign Barcola this summer, after holding positive talks over a deal with the player’s representatives.
The Reds are now ready to make their move for the France international, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing that their first bid is in the offing.
TEAMtalk report that the Merseyside outfit have been given fresh encouragement from the ‘world-class’ PSG winger’s camp over a move to Anfield, and while there is no agreement on personal terms yet, they aren’t expected to be an obstacle in any potential deal.
Liverpool are said to have made it clear they are willing to break the British transfer record again to bring the 23-year-old to the club, less than 12 months after they paid £125m to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
PSG value Barcola at around £145m, but that asking price seemingly hasn’t deterred the Reds, who believe that he is the ‘closest fit’ to Salah available anywhere in Europe.
Liverpool Make £85m Barcola Alternative ‘Dream’ Signing
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, reporting for talkSPORT, Liverpool have identified exciting Bournemouth winger Rayan as their ‘dream’ target should they fail to make progress on a move to prise Barcola away from the Parc des Princes.
The Brazilian teenager only joined the Cherries in January, but he made a big impression in the second-half of the 2025-26 campaign with five goals in 15 Premier League appearances, striking up a strong partnership with Eli Junior Kroupi to help the south coast outfit qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
It’s unclear how much Bournemouth would demand to sell Rayan this summer, with a £85m release clause for clubs incoming for 2027 for a player who looks to have a huge future ahead of him.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Sports
Arsenal Want to Complete Deal to Sign Bruno Guimaraes by Sunday
Arsenal believe that they can tie up a deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United by the end of this week. That’s according to ESPN Brasil reporter Bruno Andrade.
The Gunners have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, with winger Christos Tzolis their one big signing so far, arriving from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £34million.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has also come in, arriving on a free transfer from Leeds United, with Jakub Kiwior completing a permanent move away after a season-long loan deal with Porto and Leandro Trossard leaving for Besiktas.
Vinicius Junior move signalled Arsenal’s intent in the transfer window
Arsenal remain in the hunt for a new midfielder and another forward, with Mikel Arteta keen to make a statement signing as the Gunners look to defend their Premier League crown in 2026/27.
They have been linked with a sensational move for Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, although it has now been reported that the Brazilian will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, they are still in talks over a move to sign Guimaraes, one of Vinicius’ teammates from the World Cup, with a move seemingly edging ever closer to completion.
Arsenal had an initial £55million bid rejected by Newcastle, who have already lost Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, with the Magpies holding out for £80million if they are to sell their ‘world-class’ player – something they are reluctant to do.
It seems the Gunners are closing in on a fee that could reach £75million all in, which they believe will convince Newcastle to sell.
Guimaraes to Arsenal could be completed by Sunday
Speaking on ESPN Brasil, Nadrade said: “Arsenal have raised the offer for Bruno Guimares, now they are offering £75million, £70million fixed plus £5million in objectives, totalling £75million.
“Two or three weeks ago the first offer of £55million was rejected so an agreement is starting to take shape. Newcastle are still waiting for an £80million offer, but given that Arsenal have already reached £75million it is very likely negotiations will progress positively this week since Bruno Guimaraes is in Brazil and returns to England on Friday and needs to report back [to Newcastle for training] on Monday.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
“The idea is that this won’t even be necessary, that the deal with Arsenal will be closed. He has already sent a positive message to Arsenal that he is open to it, that he wants to negotiate. He hasn’t forced an exit but has already signalled, communicated his desire to be transferred, to take this step in the Premier League.”
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