Paul George calls Anthony Edwards immature for taking on “Michael Jordan's Era”

Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George recently addressed the controversial comments made by Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards about the skill level of NBA players during the Michael Jordan era. Speaking candidly on his “Podcast P” show, George took issue with Edwards' comments, calling them “disrespectful” and “immature.”

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal's Lane Florsheim, Edwards shared his thoughts on the state of the NBA during the height of Michael Jordan's career. This star, who quickly made a name for himself in the league, expressed doubts about the quality of the players of that time. “I don't think anyone was as good back then,” Edwards said, before offering an alternative: “Jordan was the only one who was really good.”

These comments quickly sparked a wave of reaction throughout the NBA community, with many veterans and commentators criticizing Edwards for his lack of respect for the players who laid the foundation of the modern game.

Paul George: Anthony Edwards takes the past 'disrespectful to the game.' pic.twitter.com/5Ea4ZQIvAU

— theScore (@theScore) September 3, 2024

Paul George, a nine-time NBA All-Star and one of the most respected voices in the league, was one of those who felt compelled to respond. On his “Podcast P” show, George discussed Edwards' comments at length, starting at about the 26:50 mark of the episode.

“I get what you're trying to say,” George began, admitting that Edwards may have intended to highlight the evolution of basketball skills over the decades. However, George quickly made it clear that he disagreed with Edward's assessment. “But I don't get what he was trying to say,” George continued, pointing out that the speech was poorly written and conveyed the wrong message.

George insisted that Edwards' comments were “disrespectful to the game” and showed a lack of appreciation of the sport's history. He went on to describe the comments as “immature comments,” suggesting that Edwards' youth and lack of experience may have contributed to his poor judgment.

George has always been known for respecting the history of the game and the players who came before him. During the podcast, he emphasized the importance of young players acknowledging the contributions of former legends, especially those like Michael Jordan who changed the game.

The new Sixers star confirms that even though modern basketball has gotten better over the years, it doesn't mean the players are better now.

George pointed out that although the game has already developed, today's players benefit from improvements in training, technology, and techniques, the skills shown by players in Jordan's era were very important in their time. The athleticism, basketball IQ, and competitive spirit displayed by players like Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Hakeem Olajuwon set the standard for generations to come.

There's no denying that the NBA has changed a lot since Jordan's era. The game is fast-paced, three-point oriented, and growing globally, with players from all over the world bringing a variety of skills to the league. However, this evolution does not diminish the achievements of the players who dominated the game in the 1980s and 1990s.

George's criticism of Edwards' comments highlights the need for perspective when discussing different eras of basketball. While today's players may have access to better facilities and training methods, the legends of the past were the pioneers who took the game to new heights.

Paul George's response to Anthony Edwards' comments serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the history of the game and the players who are paving the way for the current generation. While Edwards may have intended to make a point about evolving basketball skills, his comments came across as dismissive of the incredible talent that defined the Michael Jordan era.

As George said, young players have a responsibility to honor the contributions of those who came before them, and to ensure that the legacy of NBA legends lives on for future generations to appreciate.