The entire NBA world revolves around one man and that is Anthony Edwards. His grit, poise, and confidence have floored the pundits. Touted to be the ‘next face’ of the league, Edwards’ persona separates him from the rest. In a filtered and sensitive era, Ant Man decided to embrace his true nature and character.

It’s present in the way he carries himself on the court. No matter who the opposition is, Edwards is willing to sideline his connections and compete mercilessly. Fans saw it when he heckled his idol Kevin Durant after hitting a string of shots over him in their first-round playoff series.

Unfortunately, these moments, while having drawn fans have also resulted in his reputation suffering. A chunk of the NBA fanbase has labeled him to be cocky or even arrogant. But that’s far from the truth. Just days before a gripping Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets, the former Rookie of The Year sat down with ESPN’s Malika Andrews to address such accusations laid on him.

Anthony Edwards is a man of confidence, not arrogance

Edwards sat across Andrews to speak about having a 2-0 lead against the defending champions and his persona in general. When asked about the misconceptions around him, the 22-year-old was quick to point out how people think he is ‘cocky’. Defending his case, Edwards admitted he is fueled by a raging sense of confidence.

“A lot of people be calling me cocky I think. I think that’s the main thing. Thy be like he so cocky. It’s not cocky, it’s not arrogance. I’m just a confident person. I just think I’m the best in everything that I do,” he said regarding the arrogant image that’s been portrayed of him.

It’s vital to note that Edwards’ intimidating battle spirit wasn’t always present in him. Ant grew up as the youngest of four siblings in his household. The Wolves guard remembers playing in the backyard and constantly failing to beat his brothers. That created the desire to be the best. Edwards eventually got better and beat his brothers.

That’s the same attitude translating to the NBA. Anthony Edwards thrives off the pressure moments. He is stoic in the face of adversity. When it comes down to the big milestones, Edwards charges at them with a confidence unlike any other. It’s ravishing to witness his growth and maturity in only a matter of four years.

While he doesn’t appreciate the comparisons to Michael Jordan, his reputation is cementing itself in the same way. For both of them, there was one commonality. They had experienced defeat and despised it so much that they outworked themselves day after day. Edwards’ success is a byproduct of his obsession to get better.

Out to create his own legacy, Ant Man has a long journey to take. But he is taking leaps in the right direction. His greatness is being recognized, and Edwards is barely at the doorstep of his true ceiling. Cocky or not, he fits the mold of what it takes to be one of the best. After analyzing him, it seems his train won’t stop until he becomes number one.