Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill and basketball analyst Isis “Ice” Young respond to the Minnesota Timberwolves star’s claim that Michael Jordan was the only talented player from previous generations. Listen to the full conversation on “Good Word with Goodwill” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
I have this question because this is clearly going to be a sad topic of conversation.
Did you ever have any skills on the basketball court or were you the only person on the court with skills when you were playing?
Um, I had some skills.
I’m only 57 years old.
So I don’t have the size.
Um, some had skills, maybe it depends on the level.
I don’t know.
I’m sure you did.
I’m sure you did.
At this point, everyone has heard Anthony Edwards’ comments on the Wall Street Journal, probably a very relaxed conversation and of course, basking in the glow of his brilliance this year.
It was the year he practically took Jamar’s place as America’s next basketball hero.
Roughly.
And you saw how he played in the Olympics, he played behind Devin Booker, but he had some big moments there.
Him and Kevin Durant were like their own reality TV show and he was talking about the NBA from a previous era.
He started by saying II, I didn’t watch it at the time so I can’t speak to it.
That’s why he should have stopped.
But he continues, they say it was harder back then than it is today.
But I don’t think anyone had such skills at the time.
Michael Jordan was the only one who really had talent.
You know what I mean?
That’s why when they saw Kobe, they were like, ‘Oh my God.’
But now, everyone has talent, end of quote before moving on to Magic Johnson’s very pointed reaction.
Ice.
Tell me what you think because I have some ideas, uh, I wanted it like you didn’t know and you didn’t watch it.
How do you talk about it?
Since he was so right in that statement, I was so proud of him for the first sentence which was very mature and then he showed his age and he’s young, right?
He is young.
But I feel like we have this conversation in WB all the time about people honoring the legends that came before them and what paved the way?
And I feel like you can’t be an NBA player and just say Michael Jordan was the only skill for a person at the time.
As if we were talking about those who literally paved the way for the NBA.
You are neglecting Isaiah Thomas, John Stockton and Bill Walt.
I mean, there’s so many names that we can go through players where it’s like, no, not just their size and their ability.
I feel like in basketball at the highest level, the great players always have a high skill level.
And so I just thought that was, to be completely honest, a stupid statement to make.
There was no way you were going to talk about basketball and those who came before us and some of the 50 best players that ever played in this league.
And you say only one had some talent before Kobe.
Come on, come on.
Come on.
I love Ant Man and I can’t help him here.
