For Anthony Edwards, even the sky is seemingly not the limit. So consistently has he been hitting a new high with every passing postseason that sometimes, it’s difficult to believe that the Ant is just 23 years old.
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Consider this: He has already become the youngest player in NBA history to score multiple playoff series wins against multi-time MVPs. In 2024, it was against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, after having dispatched the Suns and his all-time favorite player, Kevin Durant. This year, it’s LeBron James and the Lakers, with, for good measure, the perennial MVP bridesmaid, Luka Doncic!
Edwards’ level of play has impressed the likes of Celtics legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The Minnesota Timberwolves star isn’t afraid of the moment or the opponent before him. In the heat of battle, he didn’t look at LeBron James as the greatest basketball player ever. Instead, he viewed him as just another person on the court.
This was apparent when Edwards became physical while guarding James. He refused to back down from the challenge. However, Pierce and Garnett believe this goes deeper than just Edwards’ personality.
Garnett believes a level of comfort between the two stars allowed Edwards to dominate. That didn’t exist back in Garnett’s career, and he explained why.
When Anthony Edwards got friendly with LeBron James
In the recent episode of Ticket & the Truth, Garnett spoke about the friendliness between stars today. Although it isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it may jeopardize the competitive edge between players, he felt. Garnett also revealed why players in the past didn’t fall into this habit
“Say Dominique [Wilkins] doesn’t speak to [Paul Pierce], the reason why is because when a guy is comfortable having a conversation, he also gets courage in moments where he’ll feel defiant,” Garnett said.
Garnett revealed examples of stars not speaking to Pierce, such as Dominique Wilkins, Vince Carter, and Kobe Bryant. This didn’t come from a place of malice, but as competitors. Nobody wanted to give their opponent any room to find a weakness.
Anthony Edwards had the opportunity to be around LeBron during the 2024 Paris Olympics. He grew comfortable with LeBron as a person. As a result, that fear he may have once had may have diminished, according to Garnett and Pierce.
James becomes the second of Edwards’ idols, whom he has taken down. The next one standing in the three-time All-Star’s way is potentially Stephen Curry. Defeating the four-time NBA champion would be a lofty accomplishment for Edwards and his status as one of the league’s best players.
