STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images
After Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards claimed that Michael Jordan was the only talented player of the older generation, Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson spoke out.
Johnson, who won five championships during his career, said he would not listen to comments from someone who has not yet won a title.
“I never answer a guy who has never won a championship,” Johnson said. “I have nothing to say. He hasn’t won a college championship, I don’t even know if he has won a high school championship.”
Coupling points @Coupling points
“I never answer a guy who has never won a championship… He hasn’t won a college championship, I don’t even know if he has won a high school championship.”
Magic Johnson did not hold back on Anthony Edwards’ comments 👀😳
(via https://t.co/gnCFAy8D5B / IG) pic.twitter.com/8KUrvm4vZw
Last week, Edwards made a bold claim: Jordan was the only player of the older generations “who really had talent.”
“I didn’t see it then, so I can’t comment on it,” he said. “They say it was tougher then than it is now, but I don’t think anyone had what it takes back then. (Michael Jordan) was the only one who really had what it takes, you know what I mean? That’s why when they saw Kobe (Bryant) they thought, ‘Oh my God.’ But today, everybody has what it takes.”
These comments certainly caused a stir, and Johnson did not hold back in his response.
Johnson’s resume makes a pretty compelling argument and is proof that Edwards had a point. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists, tallied more than 10,000 assists in his day, and revolutionized the point guard position.
His five titles, three Finals MVPs and three regular season MVPs also speak for themselves.
But if there is one thing we have learned about Edwards throughout his career, it is his confidence, his ability in sports other than basketball and is called “the first choice” on Team USA, which also included LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.
Edwards has also begun to gain confidence, averaging a career-high 25.9 points per game and leading the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals last season.
Still, he has to win a championship before Johnson is willing to listen to him.