Magic Johnson isn’t taking Anthony Edwards’ recent comments about past NBA eras lightly. Edwards, a rising star in the league, stirred controversy when he claimed in a Wall Street Journal feature that, apart from Michael Jordan, players from earlier NBA eras up until the late 1990s lacked “skill.”
Johnson, who famously led the Showtime Lakers as one of the most skilled point guards in NBA history, was a natural counterpoint to Edwards’ assertion. When asked about the remarks during a panel interview with Stephen A. Smith, Johnson didn’t hold back in his response.
“I don’t ever respond to a guy that’s never won a championship. There’s nothing to really say,” Johnson quipped. “He didn’t win a college championship, I don’t know if he even won a high school championship.”
While Edwards did, in fact, win a Class AAA state championship in Georgia during his high school years, Johnson’s broader point stands: questioning the skill level of past NBA legends, particularly those like Johnson who revolutionized the game, is likely to draw criticism.
Magic Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and one of the most versatile and accomplished players in basketball history, exemplifies the skill and talent that defined the league long before Edwards was born. His ability to play multiple positions, orchestrate the Lakers’ offense with his passing, and dominate games with his all-around play was a testament to the high level of skill in previous NBA eras.
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Edwards’ comments have already sparked backlash from several corners of the basketball world, with Johnson being just one of the many Hall of Famers who are likely to weigh in. Given the pride that former players take in their contributions to the game, it’s no surprise that such remarks would be met with strong rebuttals.
Johnson’s response highlights a broader conversation about respecting the history of the NBA and acknowledging the evolution of the game.
While the league has certainly changed over the decades, the foundational skills and talents of players from all eras remain a vital part of the sport’s legacy.
