Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas responded to Anthony Edwards’ claim that past generations of NBA players lacked skill.
In an interview with Lane Florsheim of the Wall Street Journal, Edwards said Michael Jordan was the only player from previous generations “that really had skill” on the court.
Thomas reacted to that sentiment in a post on X:
Edwards admitted in the interview he “didn’t watch” the NBA “back in the day” and can’t speak directly about the talent level in the game then.
“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,” Edwards said.
Some of the disconnect here could stem from the fact that Edwards was born in 2001. While he could go back and watch games or clips from past generations, it’s not a prerequisite to playing in the league now.
If you’re a person of Edwards’ age—he just turned 23 on Aug. 5—the highlights he saw on television while growing up were going to skew heavily toward Jordan. Maybe you would get a clip of Larry Bird or Magic Johnson thrown in there, but Jordan remains such a towering figure in the NBA more than 20 years after his playing career ended.
Thomas and the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons were one of the best teams in NBA history, but their success can get overlooked because it was sandwiched between the end of the Showtime Lakers’ rivalry with Bird’s Boston Celtics and the start of Jordan’s dynastic run with the Chicago Bulls.
There have been plenty of extremely skilled players prior to this current era of basketball. Thomas, Johnson, Bird and Hakeem Olajuwon are among the superstars whose games would translate well to this time period.
But it’s also easy to argue that the level of skill and talent in the NBA has never been better. One reason there aren’t any dynastic teams right now is that there are more great players available.
Considering how long Thomas can hold a grudge, don’t expect him to be appearing at any Minnesota Timberwolves games to cheer on Edwards in the near future.
News
Roger Federer shares big prediction on Novak Djokovic’s future
He will not be among the protagonists who will battle on the court, but Roger Federer was the most anticipated man in Berlin, where the 7th edition of the Laver Cup will be played from tomorrow – an event of which he is one…
Novak Djokovic And Father Srdjan Djokovic Share An Unforgettable Moment That Creates A Deep Connection And His Special Gift
In the realm of professional tennis, few names shine as brightly as Novak Djokovic. Known for his extraordinary talent, unwavering determination, and countless victories, Djokovic has become a global icon in the sport. However, beyond the courts and the spotlight,…
Shaquille O’Neal’s Emotional Message To Son Shareef Also Shields Bronny James From Public Burden
Shaquille O’Neal and his son are no strangers to fan expectations. It’s safe to say that LeBron James and Bronny are sailing in a parallel boat, if not the same one. The Lakers father-son duo has been catching a ton of heat…
LeBron James posted this message to Bryce Young following the news that he’s been benched as the Carolina Panthers QB.
LeBron James expresses his support for former first overall pick Bryce Young. NBA superstar and sports icon LeBron James didn’t hold back in expressing his support for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who was recently benched following a disappointing 0-2 start to the season. Veteran Andy…
Angel Reese GOES NUTS After She Gets HAMMERED By The Experts! Caitlin Clark SHOCKED The WNBA
In recent weeks, the WNBA has been at the center of a heated debate, sparked primarily by the performances of two standout players: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. While both athletes have made significant contributions to the league, the spotlight…
Jelly Roll to headline opening night of 2025 Birds Nest at WM Phoenix Open
PHOENIX — The WM Phoenix Open has its headliner for the opening night of the 2025 Birds Nest and it will be Jelly Roll. Country singer Jelly Roll will headline the opening night of the 2025 Birds Nest on Feb….
End of content
No more pages to load