The NBA world was recently set ablaze by comments made by Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who claimed that Michael Jordan was the only skilled player of his generation. These remarks, which many interpreted as a slight against the legends of the 1980s and 1990s, have sparked widespread debate. Now, former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas has jumped into the fray, throwing his support behind Edwards in a way that is sure to ruffle even more feathers.
On a recent episode of the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Arenas addressed Edwards’ comments, interpreting them through the lens of athleticism rather than pure skill. But Arenas didn’t stop there—he took the comparison to an extreme, likening Michael Jordan to a Bugatti racing against a pack of “Honda Civics” in the 1990s. According to Arenas, the physical tools possessed by Jordan’s contemporaries simply didn’t measure up to what the modern NBA player brings to the court today.
“Basically, all Jordan’s competition in that era did not even have the physical tools to keep up with him,” Arenas explained. “So he was basically a Bugatti and everybody else was a Honda Civic. All the shooting guards were 6’4 and under. They didn’t have no jumping ability, right? So who he went against, he’s saying they wasn’t talented, meaning they wasn’t athletic to keep up with them today.”
Anthony Edwards’ Controversial Comments on NBA Legends
Edwards’ original comments came during an interview with the Wall Street Journal, where he was asked to compare the current generation of NBA players to those who played 30 to 40 years ago. His response was both bold and dismissive, as he declared that Michael Jordan was the only truly skilled player of his era.
“I didn’t watch it back in the day so I can’t speak on it,” Edwards admitted. “They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don’t think anybody had skill back then. [Jordan] was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean? So that’s why when they saw Kobe, they were like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But now everybody has skill.”
While Edwards acknowledged that he hadn’t studied footage from the 1980s and 1990s, his comments came off as arrogant to many, fueling a debate about the evolving nature of the game. The confidence that Edwards exudes—often to the point of arrogance—has been both a hallmark of his young career and a source of irritation for those who revere the legends of the past.
NBA Legends Respond: Michael Jordan’s Contemporaries Push Back
Unsurprisingly, Edwards’ comments did not sit well with the NBA legends who went toe-to-toe with Jordan during his reign. Two of the most prominent voices to fire back were Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson—both of whom were central figures in the NBA during Jordan’s rise to greatness.
Thomas, who led the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys” to two NBA championships at the expense of Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, took a more diplomatic approach. He subtly dismissed Edwards’ comments as mere propaganda, cautioning fans to be discerning about what they choose to believe.
“Propaganda works. So be careful what you choose to believe,” Thomas tweeted, seemingly suggesting that Edwards’ remarks were not based on reality but rather on a skewed narrative of the past.
Propaganda works, so be careful what you choose to believe. https://t.co/A2fJvxDlmd
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) August 20, 2024
Magic Johnson, on the other hand, didn’t hold back. In an interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, the five-time NBA champion unleashed a pointed critique of Edwards, questioning his credentials and dismissing his opinions as irrelevant until he proves himself on the grandest stages.
“I never respond to a guy that’s never won a championship,” Johnson said. “He didn’t win a college championship, I don’t know if he even won a high school championship.”
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Magic’s words cut deep, underscoring the vast chasm between a player like Edwards—who has yet to win an NBA title—and the giants of the game who built their legacies through hard-fought championships.
The debate over which era of the NBA was superior is nothing new, but it’s one that seems to resurface with increasing frequency as young stars like Anthony Edwards confidently stake their claims in the league. What’s particularly interesting about this latest dust-up is the way it highlights the evolving criteria for greatness in the NBA.
In the 1980s and 1990s, skill was often defined by fundamentals, basketball IQ, and the ability to perform under pressure. Players like Michael Jordan, Magic, and Isiah were celebrated not just for their physical gifts but for their mental toughness and their ability to elevate their games when it mattered most.
Today, however, the conversation has shifted. Athleticism and versatility are now seen as essential components of a player’s skill set, and it’s these qualities that define many of the league’s current stars. While it’s tempting to view Edwards’ comments as disrespectful, they may simply reflect a different understanding of what it means to be a skilled basketball player in 2024.
As the NBA continues to evolve, so too will the criteria by which we judge its players. Whether or not Edwards is right about Jordan’s era lacking in skill is a matter of opinion, but his comments—and the reactions they’ve provoked—serve as a reminder that the debate over the greatest players and eras in NBA history is far from settled.
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