The Olympic season is in full swing, and the action heated up with the exhibition match between Team USA and Team Canada. Team USA emerged victorious, marking a confident start in their pursuit of a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. While veterans are typically the highlight, it was the younger players with All-Star status who stole the show. Anthony Edwards, alongside Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, led the charge, with the unit boasting a plus-minus of +10 when on the court.

Surprisingly, Anthony Edwards was leading the score chart with his 13-point spree. Paul Pierce, Celtics legend and host of FS1’s sports talk show ‘Undisputed’, couldn’t hide his admiration for Edwards, stating, “Ant-Man’s [personality just took over to me. I saw it on the court.” But it was not all about the self-scoring as Anthony clearly was supporting his team as the Celtics legend further added, “I saw it on the sidelines, you know, looking at Bron, like, you know, come on. Come on, Steph, you know. Right now, he has established himself as a USA star but he’s going to be an international star before these Olympics is over.”

No doubt Anthony Edwards had a great impact on the game Wednesday night with his oozing confidence. Also, his confident personality is well noted since he got drafted in 2020 as no.1 pick. The biggest example of his dominant attitude was reflected in the Timberwolves‘ playoff series against the Suns last season, where Anthony faced KD directly. Not only did he prove his mettle with 31 ppg, but he also trash-talked KD during the games. Ultimately, the Wolves went on to enter the second round of playoffs after sweeping the Phoenix team. This hunger to be the best resembles the NBA GOAT Michael Jordan as well, which got Paul Pierce’s attention as well.

Celtics legend points out Anthony Edwards’ trait similar to MJ!

While heaping the praise for Anthony for his performance, Paul Pierce said on ‘Undisputed’, “I think the clear leader of this team is Ant-Man. I think the game changed when Ant-Man got in.” Notably, team USA had a slow start as the team was down by 11-1 during the first quarter. However, the team took the lead at the end of the second quarter with a scoreline of 41-33. But it was not just the score alteration, the Celtics legend noticed; he also shed light on Edwards’ attitude as he further added, “Once he came in and made it clear …y’all gotta play around me. I know he was kinda jokingly saying it, but I felt like he really meant it.”

Interestingly, Paul Pierce was referencing the statement Edwards gave to the media on July 8 when he was asked about his fit within the packed USA Basketball Olympic team. “I’m still the number 1 option. Y’all might look at it differently. …They’ve got to fit in around me. That’s how I feel.” The utter confidence that Edwards reflected at the press conference somehow reminded the NBA community of Michael Jordan. The same loud-mouthed nature that manifested Jordan into the GOAT of the sport ultimately. And Anthony not only said but proved it with his performance on the international podium.

Therefore, it can be said that Anthony Edwards is on his way to becoming the next face of the league after legends like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. With his passion and hunger, the status of MJ that Edwards is pursuing might take him farther than he ever expected. What’s your stance on his attitude? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.