Let’s never compare Ant to SGA, Jokic, Luka or Giannis

[Ssj16]

He has also led the Wolves to 2 WCF's with no real second option as a 22 and 23 year old.

What have Giannis and Joker done lately or at comparable age? They're so great yet can't even carry their teams out of the 1st/2nd rounds. Giannis maybe not his fault due to dealing with the worst coach in the league and injuries but you get my point.

Dude, if Ant went up against OKC in the second round, he would have been going home early. If Denver swapped places with Minny, it would be Denver losing in WCF and Ant going home in the second round.

Why do people make these points without any context.

Yeah and if the astroid that hit earth 65 million years ago missed, you wouldn't be here attempting to play the What IF game with anyone.

I'm here stating facts.

Is it not a fact that if Minny played OKC in the second round they would have lost to OKC this year? Or what am I missing?

[dhsilv2]

Better talent than Wade, but lacks Wade’s killer instincts.

Wade was more skilled. Ant looks like a two tricky pony in the playoffs. Either jacks up a 3 or slashes to the rim. No footwork, no play out of the post. Wade's crossover package was also greater.

Add the killer instinct like you said and you're comparing two players on a different planet. Yes Ant is 23 but the age excuse is only going to last for so long if he doesn't add more offense to his game besides just taking a bunch of 3's.

The two biggest thing holding him back from being in that elite tier are his lack of creative finishing downhill and only okayish playmaking ability. He missed a crazy amount of layups in these playoffs mainly because he lacks touch. And the playmaking just isn't comparable to the very best players. In my opinion, these 2 things aren't very fixable. He can slightly improve in those aspects over the next few years. But to be elite in those categories? You either have it or you don't.

I think you can improve touch. Just getting faster and stronger and all that can make the needs less as well. Playmaking...sometimes a coach can create a system for you (see Hakeem)...but yeah that's a tough one.

[dhsilv2]

Better talent than Wade, but lacks Wade’s killer instincts.

And BBIQ

And insane wing span/standing reach (mostly the standing reach)...and ANT's actually really above average I think in both areas. But Wade was 6'3 with a standing reach of a 6'8 dude. It was wild.

[Optms]

Dude, if Ant went up against OKC in the second round, he would have been going home early. If Denver swapped places with Minny, it would be Denver losing in WCF and Ant going home in the second round.

Why do people make these points without any context.

Yeah and if the astroid that hit earth 65 million years ago missed, you wouldn't be here attempting to play the What IF game with anyone.

I'm here stating facts.

Is it not a fact that if Minny played OKC in the second round they would have lost to OKC this year? Or what am I missing?

And whoever loses between Indy vs OKC would lose in the first round if they met there instead of the Finals.

Do you not realize how ridiculous this is?

[dhsilv2]

Dude, if Ant went up against OKC in the second round, he would have been going home early. If Denver swapped places with Minny, it would be Denver losing in WCF and Ant going home in the second round.

Why do people make these points without any context.

Yeah and if the astroid that hit earth 65 million years ago missed, you wouldn't be here attempting to play the What IF game with anyone.

I'm here stating facts.

Is it not a fact that if Minny played OKC in the second round they would have lost to OKC this year? Or what am I missing?

I mean dude just said KAT and Randel don't qualify as a real second option...and you want him to explain the rest there?

[Optms]

Yeah and if the astroid that hit earth 65 million years ago missed, you wouldn't be here attempting to play the What IF game with anyone.

I'm here stating facts.

Is it not a fact that if Minny played OKC in the second round they would have lost to OKC this year? Or what am I missing?

I mean dude just said KAT and Randel don't qualify as a real second option...and you want him to explain the rest there?

Not enough to win a championship, no they are not. But he's still managed to take both guys to the WCF in a loaded West at a young age. Twice. That's better than most superstars. His future is bright if he ever gets out of Minnesota.

[dhsilv2]

Is it not a fact that if Minny played OKC in the second round they would have lost to OKC this year? Or what am I missing?

I mean dude just said KAT and Randel don't qualify as a real second option...and you want him to explain the rest there?

Not enough to win a championship, no they are not. But he's still managed to take both guys to the WCF in a loaded West at a young age. Twice. That's better than most superstars. His future is bright if he ever gets out of Minnesota.

Those guys, especially KAT, are certainly good enough second options.

And nobody is saying ANT isn't great, but a top 5 player he isn't. Nor is he on pace to be one. And I'd be happy to be wrong.

[Infinite Llamas]

I hate these reactionary type post. So, if he wins it all next year can we compare him to these players? Every matchup is different and players are ready at different times.

If he wins it next year, he would be seen as a top 3 player due to already having an elite resume in relation to his age.

People already overlooking who he's beaten in the playoffs and how he's made back to back WCF before the age of 24. It took an elite OKC team to beat him. Maybe not Luka, but long term, give me ANT over Giannis/Joker.

Talk about the “what if” game lmao

And nobody gets any points for beating an old, tiny Lakers team and a Curry-less Warriors. When people say the west is stacked, those aren’t the examples anybody should be using.

[MVP1992]

So tense in this thread. Sheesh!

Read on Twitter

[Infinite Llamas]

I hate these reactionary type post. So, if he wins it all next year can we compare him to these players? Every matchup is different and players are ready at different times.

I think it’s more a sentiment of people just have to cool the brakes a little…greatness has to be earned, not assigned. A couple WCF teams and 2nd team selections are nice, but it doesn’t mean Edwards should be in the conversation of greats based on something that may or may not ever happen.

[TheGeneral99]

How about never make these threads for a 23 year old superstar who just led his team to back to back western conference finals appearances.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

I hate these reactionary type post. So, if he wins it all next year can we compare him to these players? Every matchup is different and players are ready at different times.

If he wins it next year, he would be seen as a top 3 player due to already having an elite resume in relation to his age.

People already overlooking who he's beaten in the playoffs and how he's made back to back WCF before the age of 24. It took an elite OKC team to beat him. Maybe not Luka, but long term, give me ANT over Giannis/Joker.

Talk about the “what if” game lmao

And nobody gets any points for beating an old, tiny Lakers team and a Curry-less Warriors. When people say the west is stacked, those aren’t the examples anybody should be using.

It’s not the what if game, it’s the reactionary game. We compare these players for the “right now” and we don’t wait until we get the totality of their careers. As for declaring the face of the NBA that is for marketing purposes. Which player can attract the casual viewer? Ant is 23 years old and just had a back-2-back conference finals. Their opponents were injured but they still won to get there. Pacers just did this against injured teams as well. You play who is in front of you.

And as for the West being stack, it is exactly who they are pointing at. The Lakers had James and Luka, Warriors has Curry, Green, and Butler, Denver had Jokic, Grizzlies, Clippers, and Rockets had a good team. Each team had their flaws but that is still a stacked western teams when all season you can be either the 2nd seed or the 10th seed any given day.

[TheGeneral99]

I hate these reactionary type post. So, if he wins it all next year can we compare him to these players? Every matchup is different and players are ready at different times.

I think it’s more a sentiment of people just have to cool the brakes a little…greatness has to be earned, not assigned. A couple WCF teams and 2nd team selections are nice, but it doesn’t mean Edwards should be in the conversation of greats based on something that may or may not ever happen.

He's 23, he's already a top 8 player, and has been to two conference finals...I think the hype is real...now it's up to him to take that next step.

Jokic didn't win his first chip until he was 28.

Giannis didn't win his first chip until he was 27.

Lebron didn't win his first chip until he was 28.

If Shai wins the chip this year he will be just shy of 27 (turns 27 early July).

I'm not saying Edwards will get to that level, but he deserves some leeway given how young he is.

[JustBuzzin]

He's 23 and beat everyone on the list besides Shai who clearly has a better team lmao

These dudes are vets and Ant just reaching his prime years. He's really next up!

[tsherkin]

I hate these reactionary type post. So, if he wins it all next year can we compare him to these players? Every matchup is different and players are ready at different times.

I think it’s more a sentiment of people just have to cool the brakes a little…greatness has to be earned, not assigned. A couple WCF teams and 2nd team selections are nice, but it doesn’t mean Edwards should be in the conversation of greats based on something that may or may not ever happen.

He's 23, he's already a top 8 player, and has been to two conference finals...I think the hype is real...now it's up to him to take that next step.

Jokic didn't win his first chip until he was 28.

Giannis didn't win his first chip until he was 27.

Lebron didn't win his first chip until he was 28.

If Shai wins the chip this year he will be just shy of 27 (turns 27 early July).

I'm not saying Edwards will get to that level, but he deserves some leeway given how young he is.

Jordan was also 27, and in his 7th season.

Titles are hard to win, no matter how good you are. Your roster matters, your own level of progression matters, luck matters, etc.

Ant just finished his 5th season. He isn't as individually dominant as a host of other guys, isn't in that first tier of players and all that, which is fine. But he's done pretty well so far, he's on an arc of improvement.

This wasn't his best postseason. He looked a little rough against LA, which wasn't flattering. Was on fire from 3 against the Warriors without Steph, but blew at the foul line. And then he was pretty tepid against the Thunder, and again struggled at the line (second consecutive series under 70% FT), with two very weak scoring performances to close out the series.

So he has work to do... but he's got a lot of positive momentum going on, and Minny is in a good place. No reason not to be happy with him, even while acknowledging the need to continue growing.

[dhsilv2]

How about never make these threads for a 23 year old superstar who just led his team to back to back western conference finals appearances.

He "lead" two teams with two other guys who'd made all nba selections in Gobert and KAT/Randle. I think people have massively over given him credit for his team's success. Not to mention Conley is one of the most experienced leaders in the league. His play may have dropped but you can't really ask for a guy who knows the league better.

[dhsilv2]

He's 23 and beat everyone on the list besides Shai who clearly has a better team lmao

These dudes are vets and Ant just reaching his prime years. He's really next up!

How "clearly" better is OKC? He's had both years two guys who've made all NBA teams still in their productive years. Conley is a wealth of experience and knowledge, though his game is slipping. McDaniels was all defense last year. Naz Reid was 6th man of the year and is better than many starters on playoff teams. And DiVincenzo is another sold rotation guys.

I'm not even saying OKC might not be better, but he's got one of the best support casts we've seen this decade.

[TheNewEra]

How did Luka get into the convo

[cpower]

No one in NBA history is taking Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert to the finals.

Rudy Gobert could not take ANT to the finals

[Infinite Llamas]

How about never make these threads for a 23 year old superstar who just led his team to back to back western conference finals appearances.

He "lead" two teams with two other guys who'd made all nba selections in Gobert and KAT/Randle. I think people have massively over given him credit for his team's success. Not to mention Conley is one of the most experienced leaders in the league. His play may have dropped but you can't really ask for a guy who knows the league better.

Towns was just as important in the Denver series, if not a little more because he had to defend Jokic and did a solid job at it.

It’s just a little ironic because Joker haters always claim how good his teammates are but will downgrade someone like Edwards teammates despite Minnesota being a much more well rounded team.