Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards continues to draw criticism from former players for his recent claim that previous NBA generations lacked skill.
Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett responded to Edwards’ remarks on the latest episode of the “Ticket & The Truth” podcast, saying he doesn’t think today’s generation of NBA players would’ve fared well in his era.
“I don’t think anybody in this generation could’ve played like 20 years ago. If I’m being 100,” Garnett said. “And this to Ant, this it to everybody in our league, (Jayson) Tatum, all y’all. Let me tell you all something, bro: Twenty years ago, bro, you couldn’t get to a triple step-back. … And then if you shot that shit, it had to go in. You know why? ‘Cause we had efficiency back in the day, my dude, and it was so fucking hard. It was too physical.”
The Timberwolves and Boston Celtics legend said today’s players would’ve also struggled with the locker room atmosphere that existed 20 years ago.
“I don’t think half of these kids in the league could’ve been on an NBA team 20 years ago,” Garnett said. “The locker room was too grown … it was too much of a fraternity.”
Edwards made the controversial remarks in an interview with The Wall Street Journal’s Lane Florsheim, claiming Michael Jordan was the only player “that really had skill” from past eras.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson also clapped back at Edwards, telling ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, “I never respond to a guy who’s never won a championship.”
