 |
| Photo: Anthony Edwards (Instagram) |
Anthony Edwards, a rising NBA star, recently shared his thoughts on the skill level of basketball players from previous generations.
In an interview with Lane Florsheim of the Wall Street Journal, Edwards expressed that, in his opinion, Michael Jordan was the only player from the past who truly had skill.
"I didn't watch it back in the day, so I can't speak on it fully," Edwards said. "They say the game was tougher back then, but I don't think anybody really had skill. Michael Jordan was the only one with real skill. That's why when Kobe [Bryant] came along, people were amazed. But now, everybody has skill."
"I didn't watch it back in the day, so I can't speak on it fully," Edwards said. "They say the game was tougher back then, but I don't think anybody really had skill. Michael Jordan was the only one with real skill. That's why when Kobe [Bryant] came along, people were amazed. But now, everybody has skill."
 |
| Photo: Anthony Edwards (Instagram) |
Edwards is known for being outspoken. Before the Olympics, he confidently called himself "the No. 1 option" for Team USA, even though the roster included superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.
The debate over how past players would fare in today's NBA isn't new. For years, some have joked that Jordan's success with the Chicago Bulls came when he was playing against less talented competition. While this can be seen as disrespectful to legends like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, it's clear that the level of athleticism in today's game is higher than ever.
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards on how he fits in with USA Basketball Olympic team: “I’m still the number one option. Y’all might look at it differently. … They’ve got to fit in around me. That’s how I feel.” pic.twitter.com/Cga5kTiR2J
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 7, 2024
Studies suggest that the average NBA player today is about 4 to 7 percent better than those from a decade ago. Players like Nikola Jokić, a center who can handle the ball, shoot from long range, and is one of the best passers in the league, didn't exist in Jordan's era.
While Edwards' comments might upset some older NBA legends, there is some evidence to support his view that the league's skill level has reached new heights.
Read Next: Caitlin Clark Talks About High Fever Season Ticket Prices And Low WNBA Salaries
Source: Breacher Report
Comments
Post a Comment