Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas responds to Anthony Edwards’ remarks about Michael Jordan on the “Gil’s Arenas Show.”
“Michael Jordan did not play against….” Anthony Edwards’ unskilled 90’s controversy gets support from former players

L-R: Anthony Edwards, Gilbert Arenas and Michael Jordan

Anthony Edwards recently stirred controversy by claiming that Michael Jordan was the only player with real skill during the early years of the NBA. While this sparked debate, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas somewhat agreed, offering his perspective on Edwards’ remarks.

In the most recent episode of his Gil’s Arena Show, Arenas shared his latest heated take on Jordan. According to him, the Chicago Bulls great was the only one with truly “elite” athleticism. It is vital to remember that Arenas is renowned for his disputable opinions on former and present NBA players. However, this time around he may be right as the players back in Jordan’s era weren’t that athletic as compared to players in the modern era.

Jordan is a 10, it's like a car. All of Jordan's competition in that era did not even have the physical tools to keep up with him. So he was basically a Bugatti, and everybody else was a Honda Civic...If we really wanna have a discussion about Jordan's competition, just go to the Top 5 shooting guards in history. He didn't play against any of them.

Gilbert Arenas said

Arenas comments more or less support the Timberwolves guard provoked controversy. Edwards claimed that most players in the 1980s and 1990s lacked skill. Back then, the NBA had players like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, and Jerry West. Hence, Edwards’ comments came out as disrespectful to the former legends of the sport.

Gilbert Arenas once claimed Anthony Edwards is ‘one-step’ ahead of Michael Jordan in GOAT debate

GOAT debates are always relentless when it comes to NBA stars. However, this one is a bit different, as it includes retired legendary NBA star Michael Jordan and upcoming NBA superstar Anthony Edwards. Many NBA fans and experts have noticed similarities in Edwards’ gameplay to Jordan’s. Gilbert Arenas also had his take on the Edwards and Jordan’s GOAT debate.

Technically, he actually has a foot in front of Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate at the same age because Michael Jordan was 22 before his first game.

Gilbert Arenas said on Gil’s Arena Show in March

This is because, at barely 22 years old, Edwards is already one of the top players in the NBA. Jordan was playing in his rookie year in the NBA when he was 22 years old. Hence, Arenas believes Ant-Man has an edge over MJ when comparing the two 22-year-olds.

It remains to be seen whether Edwards will surpass or even match Jordan’s NBA championships total. Based on what one has seen from him thus far, he has all the attributes to take over the sport in the coming years.