In the history of the NBA, every era has had those shining stars, from "Flyer" Jordan to "Black Mamba" Kobe, each of whom has defined basketball in its own unique way. However, since Bryant's retirement, it seems that the league lacks the iron-blooded spirit that refuses to unite and fights only for victory. But now, it looks like someone has finally stepped forward to carry on that pedigree, and that is Anthony Edwards.
Anthony Edwards, a name that may not have been so loud a few years ago, is now fast becoming a significant face in the NBA. In the recent playoff semifinals, Edwards made a name for himself and scored 43 points, which was not only outstanding, but also shocking. Obviously, he's not just playing, it's more like announcing a return — a return to that kind of tough-guy basketball, to the athleticism of Jordan and Kobe.
However, Edwards' style may seem a little odd in today's NBA. In the current league, many people tend to build super teams and compete for championships through "huddles". And what about Edwards? He doesn't seem to buy it. After coming to the Timberwolves, he didn't rush to find other stars to team up with like some big-name stars. Instead, he chose to stick to his path and improve himself and his team one step at a time.
This kind of attitude and performance reminds many people of Kobe. Kobe Bryant's career is an epic of courage and fearlessness. And the words of Timberwolves reporter Edwin reinforced that impression. "Since Kobe, there's finally another player in the NBA who doesn't play cowardly basketball," he said. As soon as these words came out, it was undoubtedly a challenge to those stars who chose the huddle route.
Ironically, even in Bryant's time, James was already a signature figure in the NBA, hailed as the greatest star of the second decade of the 21st century. However, now some people have even bluntly said that Edwards' style is more like Kobe Bryant than James's kind of "cowardly basketball". This begs the question, who is defining the NBA today?
In addition, when Edwards was asked about the top five all-time players in his mind, he listed Jordan, Kobe, O'Neal, Iverson and his idol Durant, apparently without a place for James. It's not just a simple neglect of James, it's more of an expression of a new basketball value.
Of course, it is undeniable that Edwards' persistence and performance did make him look more and more like a future league leader. His self-confidence and persistence not only excited Timberwolves fans, but also made all the viewers who like tough guy basketball feel a long-lost excitement.
Such Edwards is undoubtedly a fresh force on the stage of NBA history. And for those who think that basketball is just a teamwork, Edwards reminded everyone with his performance: basketball is also a battle of individual heroism. Let's wait and see if the rising star can continue to redefine the future of the NBA in his way.