Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson recently fired back at comments made by Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
Edwards’ Controversial Comments
In an interview, Edwards said that Michael Jordan was the only skilled player from the 1990s. He suggested that players from that era weren’t as talented as today’s athletes. This upset many fans and former players.
Magic Johnson had this to say after Anthony Edwards said Michael Jordan was the only skilled player of his era
[via @espn] pic.twitter.com/YBIxJ1OlY8
โ TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 26, 2024
“I didnโt watch it back in the day so I canโt speak on it,” Edwards explained. “They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I donโt think anybody had skill back then. [Michael Jordan] was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean? So thatโs why when they saw Kobe [Bryant], they were like, โOh, my God.โ But now everybody has skill.โ
Magic’s Sharp Response
The statement went viral quickly and drew criticism from many corners. But it was Magic Johnson’s response during an ESPN interview with Stephen A. Smith that grabbed headlines.
โI never respond to a guy whoโs never won a championship,โ Johnson stated bluntly. โIโve got nothing to say. He didnโt win a college championship; I donโt even know if he won a high school championship.โ
Fans feel it’s important for young players to respect those who came before them.
Johnson’s words highlighted the difference between his achievements and Edwards’ potential. While Edwards has shown promise with strong performances like last seasonโs Western Conference Finals where he averaged 24.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, his career still doesn’t match up to legends like Johnson.
Edwards’ Bold Claims About Team USA
Before Team USAโs Olympic run in Paris last month, Edwards called himself the squadโs โNo. 1 option.โ This bold claim seemed out of place given teammates like LeBron James and Kevin Durant were also on the roster.
Many see Edward’s remarks about older generations as disrespectful to basketball history and its legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan who transformed basketball into a global sport .
The Road Ahead for Edwards
While there’s no denying Edward’s talent, Magic Johnson’s comments suggest he has much more to prove before being compared with past greats. As we look forward to the upcoming NBA season, all eyes will be on him to see if he can live up to his own hype or if he still has lessons left to learn from those who’ve already made their mark in history.
