Breaking News: Anthony Edwards: Michael Jordan Was Only NBA Player with Skill in Older Generations not in ……….
Anthony Edwards believes that the standard of NBA basketball before he started following the sport closely was not very high. In a conversation with Lane Florsheim of the Wall Street Journal, Edwards stated that Michael Jordan was the only player from earlier eras who truly possessed exceptional skill.
“I didn’t watch back then, so I can’t really comment,” Edwards said. “They say it was tougher in the past, but I don’t think many players had skill. Michael Jordan was the only one who really stood out in terms of skill. That’s why Kobe Bryant impressed people so much. But now, everyone has skill.”
Edwards is known for his outspoken nature. He recently declared himself as the “No. 1 option” for Team USA ahead of the Olympics, despite the roster including stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.
The debate over how past players would fare in today’s game is longstanding. There have been jokes on social media suggesting that Michael Jordan’s championships came against less talented opponents, often referred to disparagingly as “plumbers.”
While such remarks disrespect notable legends like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, it’s clear that the athleticism and skill level in today’s NBA are unprecedented. Studies show that the average NBA player today is 4 to 7 percent better than those from a decade ago.
Modern players like Nikola Jokić, who combines elite ball-handling, three-point shooting, and exceptional passing, highlight the evolution of the game. This doesn’t imply that Jordan was the sole skilled player of his time, but the disparity in talent between then and now is notable. Since the 2016-17 and 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, no team has won back-to-back championships, and the last reigning champion to advance past the second round of the playoffs was the Warriors in 2019.
Edwards’ comments may upset some basketball legends, but there is evidence supporting his view that today’s league features an unprecedented level of skill.
