As spirited as Anthony Edwards is, it’s rare that his energy stoops to humility after a breathtaking night. Yet he made an exception for one. After sweeping the Phoenix Suns, even with all the reason to brag about knocking down his idol, his words for Kevin Durant came as a fan. “I felt bad a little bit, only because he’s my favorite player of all time,” he said at a New York fanfest with the Slim Reaper sitting right across him.

This was the same phenom that Anthony Edwards grew up watching and fell in love with the game of basketball. He admitted to being “super happy” when he found out he would test himself against his professed GOAT. But watching Durant yield his excellent command of the game transported the vicious competitor back to being an ardent follower. “I think this m———-r hit like 7 straight shots in a row … I turned into a fan like honestly,” he admits.

Still, the 23-year-old, now at the pinnacle of basketball was craving for the big stage. So even though he enjoyed watching Kevin Durant slash through his team, Ant-Man needed to awaken. “I had to reel myself back in like they starting to come back we got to make a run for ourselves,” he said on the series ‘Starting 5’.

From there came the first of what is sure to be many iconic moments in the enticing career of Anthony Edwards. He tapped into the zone and took the challenge of facing Durant, even when the Sniper decided to guard him. After swishing a three in his face, he ensued in trash-talking his idol. All Durant could do was laugh at that moment.

When the Suns called timeout to cool down the Wolves’ surge, the four-time scoring champion gave Anthony Edwards the nod of acknowledgment. Edwards remembers the moment vividly. “He was like ‘Boy you so nasty’. I feel like I’m the greatest. I swear to god. I did to KD? I’m the greatest,” the Wolves talisman thinks of that moment.

It was the first of their battles, but their competition helped them forge a great bond in the following months.

From idols to friends: The journey of Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant

Just after their postseason battle, the respect Durant and Ant had for each other grew multifold. Then they got a chance to witness an experience of triumph as teammates. KD, the most decorated USA men’s player, and Edwards in his debut Olympics shared a brotherhood that was strongly visible to everyone around.

Brian Windhorst detailed it best. “Literally, Ant gets off the bus with Durant. When they warm up before practice, Ant is standing next to Durant. … Ant cannot get enough of him,” he said on his show.

It was true. It was rare that the both of them weren’t side by side during the entire trip. For Ant, apart from being with his idol, he also decided to learn from the greatness surrounding him. “He’s a sponge, he’s got a high IQ. I didn’t realize that he’s got a high IQ for the game. He’s going to be on that level,” Kevin Durant says about him.

It was a summer of dreams for the explosive guard. Not only Durant, but Edwards’ magnetism caught the eyes of everyone around. They then attended the New York Fanfest together, where the Slim Reaper revealed a nickname he has for Edwards. “I call him baby GOAT,”. Talk about a full-circle moment for a 23-year-old who idolized KD growing up. 

But rest assured, one of the things they respect about each other is their desire and devotion to compete. Off the court, they might be brothers. However, with a new season, they resume as rivals in the Western Conference. When they do see each other, the intensity will be just as thick as when it was during their maiden playoff battle.

Do you think there is a chance that Ant and KD will be NBA teammates one day? Let us know your honest views in the comments below.