Have Anthony Edwards’ recent remarks dumped him in a heap of trouble? The online world certainly seems to indicate so. After the young gun went out on a limb to state that Michael Jordan was “the only one that really had skill” among the other athletes of his era, everyone from Magic Johnson and Stephen A. Smith verbally contradicted him. It also didn’t help the fact that Ant had earlier called himself the ‘No. 1 option’ in Team USA. While these outspoken statements might indicate the player’s competitive personality and pride for some, a former player urges everyone to not take him seriously.

7x NBA champion Robert Horry highlighted that by making the remark about Michael Jordan, Anthony Edwards slapped the faces of Vince Carter, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Sean Kemp, etc. Each of the 4 players made a name for themselves, a name to remember through the ages. However, Horry believed that putting out such opinions may not be something that the youngster would have wanted the hoops community to take seriously.

“After Ant-Man said what he said for the Olympics, ‘I’m the go-to-go guy’, he put himself as that…. like as a comedian. And so, for me, I think he was trying to be a comic relief now,” the 54-year-old said. Horry formed this conclusion after noticing how Edwards stated, “I didn’t watch it (NBA games) back in the day so I can’t speak on it,” before he controversially claimed that Michael Jordan was the only one who had skill.

After all, not many would choose to make such a bold statement, in a serious manner, if they didn’t have some proper proof to back it up. Especially someone like Edwards, who is yet to win a Championship, or even an MVP title.

“I just think Ant-Man, he’s comedy relief when it comes to certain things because he puts himself in that position after the crazy sh– he said like ‘Oh, he’s going to be the go-to guy,’” Horry added on the Big Shot Bob podcast. “Hell, you wouldn’t even (be) the go-to guy when you have AR (Austin Reaves) and all those other guys playing with you, so how you think you be the go-to guy with LeBron, AD, KD, especially Steph.”

This was a reference to the 2023 FIBA World Cup when both Austin Reaves and Anthony Edwards were part of Team USA. While Ant had the better average score and higher efficiency rate, he faltered badly during the quarter-final game against Italy, dropping only 3 points. It was Austin Reaves who covered for him, adding 12 points. On top of that, with an average field goal accuracy of 56.6%, 50% when it came to 3Ps, and 94.9% from the charity stripe, the Lakers star was better on the shooting side than his teammate.

Therefore, with Anthony Edwards putting himself on a higher pedestal than the experienced veterans and previous gold medallists alongside him at the 2024 Paris Olympics, what else can he be labeled as but a “comedian?” Whatever intentions the 23-year-old may have had, the NBA world continues to remain displeased and unimpressed, with not everyone being convinced. However, the same convinced Kevin Garnett to put his own belief, which is a somewhat 360-degree turn from what Ant stated.

Kevin Garnett disses modern-day hoopers in return after Anthony Edwards’ outrageous claim

In situations like the one highlighted above, Kevin Garnett has often come out to highlight his viewpoint. Despite being retired for over 8 years, the renowned trash-talker kept his tabs on the modern NBA generation. In the end, he wasn’t that pleased with what he saw. The 48-year-old went on to state, “To be perfectly honest, I don’t think anybody in this generation would have been able to play 20 years ago. I’m convinced, and this goes for Ant, for everybody in our league, for Tatum.”

He added, “20 years ago, bro, you wouldn’t have made a three-pointer by taking a step back. You hear what I’m saying? You wouldn’t have been able to. And if you threw that sh– up, it had to go in.” In a report by The Charge, it was highlighted that the NBA of the 90s was majorly focused on low-scoring games and a higher physical style of gameplay. A classic example of this would be the Detroit Pistons’ Bad Boys. However, the modern playing style focuses on a faster pace, more three-point shooting, spacing, etc. Therefore, it would not be easy for modern players to adapt to the style of the older generation, and probably vice versa.

Do you believe that Anthony Edwards was joking? Let us know in the comments down below.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.