ESPN News: Magic Johnson Shares his Hilarious Response To Anthony Edwards Comments that all talking

The 1980s are often celebrated as the golden era of the NBA, a time when Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers formed one of the most storied rivalries in sports history with Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.

This period also saw Michael Jordan begin his ascent with the Chicago Bulls, a journey that would culminate in six championships throughout the 1990s. Despite the undeniable skill of these players, today’s NBA is widely regarded as possessing an unparalleled level of talent and skill, a natural evolution over time.

However, recent comments by Anthony Edwards, a rising star in the league, have stirred controversy. In an interview with Lane Florsheim of the Wall Street Journal, Edwards suggested that the skill level of players from the past was lacking compared to today’s standards.

He stated, “I didn’t watch it back in the day so I can’t speak on it. They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don’t think anybody had skill back then.

[Michael Jordan] was the only one that really had skill, you know what I mean? So that’s why when they saw Kobe [Bryant], they were like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But now everybody has skill.”

Magic Johnson, a key figure from that legendary era, responded with characteristic flair during an interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. Johnson, who boasts a career replete with accomplishments, dismissed Edwards’ remarks with humor: “I never respond to a guy who’s never won a championship. He has nothing to really say. He didn’t win a college championship, I don’t even know if he won a high school championship.”

Johnson’s illustrious career includes five NBA championships, nine NBA Finals appearances, 12 All-Star selections, and numerous accolades such as three MVP awards and three Finals MVPs. Despite a career cut short by retirement, Johnson’s achievements and impact on the game underscore the skill and dominance he and his contemporaries, like Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, and Dominique Wilkins, displayed.

While Edwards’ comments may reflect the perspective of a young player with a modern outlook, they overlook the immense talent that defined the 1980s. Johnson’s response highlights the contrast between the accomplishments of past legends and the current generation. Edwards, as a promising young talent, certainly has the right to voice his opinions, but the historical context of Johnson’s era underscores the depth of skill present in the league’s past.

In conclusion, while the game has evolved and the skill level has indeed advanced, the greatness of past players like Magic Johnson and his peers remains a significant part of NBA history. Edwards’ perspective, though valid in its own right, should be viewed with an understanding of the extraordinary achievements and skills that shaped the league in the decades before.