Anthony Edwards Says Michael Jordan ‘Was The Only One That Really Had Skill’ Back In The Day

During an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards said NBA legend Michael Jordan “was the only one that really had skill” back in the day. 

Edwards, 23, admitted that he didn’t watch the older generation that much. 

“I didn’t watch it back in the day so I can’t speak on it,” Edwards said. “They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don’t think anybody had skill back then. [Michael Jordan] was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean? So that’s why when they saw Kobe [Bryant], they were like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But now everybody has skill.”

Old basketball fans miss the old NBA, while younger basketball fans love the current NBA.

To each his own. 

Jordan is universally recognized as the greatest basketball player ever. He won five MVPs, 10 scoring titles, six championships and six Finals MVPs with the Chicago Bulls.

MJ also won one Defensive Player of the Year Award. 

Jordan has career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. He’s first in NBA history in points per game, fourth in steals, fifth in field goals and second in player efficiency rating.

MJ holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a playoff game. 

Behind Jordan and Scottie Pippen, the Bulls went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice in the ’90s. Chicago beat the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics and Utah Jazz (twice) in the Finals. 

In May, Edwards told NBA writer Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports that he wanted people to stop comparing him to Jordan. 

“I want it to stop,” Edwards said. “He’s the greatest of all time. I can’t be compared to him.”

Edwards and the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals last season. It will be fascinating to see how far Minnesota goes next season.