24 hours after the Suns’ assassin, Charles Barkley still seemed to be in awe of Anthony Edwards. The Phoenix Suns legend went on air and dissected the differences between Ant-Man and his contemporaries. Importantly, he also laid a link road and dropped the similarities between AE and legends Michael Jordan and Late Kobe Bryant. Moreover, he also hinted a tough future ahead of the 22-year-old after revealing MJ’s miserable fate.
During the post-game analysis on TNT, Barkley said, “Young guys like Ant, Shai Gilgeous, Luka… Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown… The one guy, who I love, he (Edwards) is like, ‘I’m killing everything’. I haven’t seen that type of mentality since Kobe and Michael. They didn’t have any friends on the basketball court. They tryna hurt you and I love seeing that but these guys out here, they be kissing and hugging too much for me.”
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan were spitting images of each other. The LA Lakers legend tried his might to copy MJ’s moves and worked hard to replicate him on the court. The one that he almost brought into his play from Jordan was mental toughness. In fact, the Black Mamba was tougher than the Chicago Bulls legend. Speaking of it, MJ himself said, “He was a mentally tough kid, maybe even tougher than I was… My fans, didn’t like that he was trying to copy what I had done.”
Ever since the legends have retired from the game, the NBA world barely witnessed any toughness on the court, as per Barkley. However, Anthony Edwards seemed to be an exception. And, also as a former friend of Michael Jordan, he added that MJ and Kobe didn’t have many friends on the court because of their tough nature.
MJ and Chuck were best of friends from their playing days until 2006. The player-turned-analyst once criticized MJ’s management for the Charlotte Hornets’ poor run in the league. Following that, MJ hasn’t spoken a single word to him.
Is Anthony Edwards mentally tougher than Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant?
It’s too early to determine whether Ant-Man is tougher than the legends. But, in his brief span in the league, the rising superstar has done enough accomplishments to be an approved candidate for the praise. Firstly, he helped the franchise to end its 20-season-long jinx last night.
After the series sweep against the Phoenix Suns night, the Wolves won their first-ever playoff series win since 2004. On top of that, he showcased his toughness throughout the series against the player whom he idolized in his childhood. Edwards went after Kevin Durant and chirped at him whenever he had the opportunity.
He also created an iconic moment for the ages. The rising superstar dropped a three-pointer over KD and chirped at him on his way back to the defense. Slim Reaper didn’t have much to say except for a simple grin. Now, Ant-Man has another opportunity to showcase his toughness in the coming days, as the Wolves take on the Denver Nuggets in the Conference semis. The Nuggets demolished the Lakers in the First Round with a 4-1 series and are raring to defend their title.