The NBA is filled with the most talented athletes in the world. This supreme skill is sometimes accompanied by a level of trash-talking machismo to truly prove who is the best. The New Orleans Pelicans Star forward Zion Williamson recently revealed some of the league’s best trash talkers. One of his revelations comes as a surprise to many.
“The ant speaks quite directly”
Zion on Anthony Edwards’ filthy comments 🤣 pic.twitter.com/3K8tsGXrKZ
— Overtime (@overtime) September 9, 2024
Williamson was interviewed during an international tour with Jordan Brand this summer, but he spoke candidly about the league’s top talkers. Unsurprisingly, Anthony Edwards’ name came up first. The four-year point guard had a breakout season last year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging a career-high 25.9 points per game and leading the Wolves to their first playoff victory in 20 years.
“Ant-Man,” as Edwards is nicknamed, had a memorable moment in the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns. After scoring several baskets, Edwards went back and forth with Suns star Kevin Durant. The Minnesota star revealed that Durant was his favorite player growing up, but that didn’t stop him from letting the future Hall of Famer know where Edwards thinks his game lies.
Williamson said the former Georgia star talks about his bad things “straight up,” which is different from the next player he named on the list, Kevin Durant. While Edwards is the straight-up type, Williamson said the Suns veteran is more gentle with his words, simply letting you know he’s a better basketball player than you are. History has proven that to be the case in Durant’s illustrious career. He’s a two-time champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, a regular-season MVP and one of the most unstoppable scorers in league history. Durant has earned his right to speak on the court.
Williamson’s biggest surprise was his admission that Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving talks dirty on the court. The Pelicans star revealed that Irving’s trash talk helped the former NBA champion take things to the next level.
“From what I’ve seen, he never takes the initiative, but every time someone talks down to him, he goes into overdrive, that would be Kyrie.”
Irving is a true prodigy with the ball and is considered one of the best dribblers in NBA history. Most people don’t think of him as a big talker in the league, but he is extremely dynamic.
Neither Williamson nor any of his teammates are big trash talkers. Zion lets his game do the talking. Last season, he averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and five assists on 57 percent shooting. Injuries have cut short Williamson’s every season in the league, and he’s hoping to make his first playoff appearance.
