Rich Paul, the renowned agent for NBA stars like LeBron James, certainly has an eye for talent. His recent praise for Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards is turning heads. According to Paul, Edwards is currently the best player in the league.
"I think that Anthony Edwards is the best player in our league today," Paul remarked on the Game Over podcast. "... You can't watch a game on any given night against anybody and look at that game and say, 'Oh, that person is better than Anthony Edwards.'"
This endorsement is a bold nod to a player who often flies under the radar in discussions about the league's elite. But is it warranted? While it's a strong statement, it might be a tad generous regarding Edwards' current standing.
The beauty of the "best player" debate is its subjectivity. Everyone has their criteria for greatness, so it's no surprise that opinions vary.
For those who value intangibles, Edwards is a standout. As Paul highlighted, he's a two-way force, a fierce competitor, and thrives under pressure. Plus, his durability is impressive, as he consistently plays through the kinds of injuries that might sideline others.
However, if your evaluation leans heavily on stats, Edwards might not top your list. Despite his impressive averages of 29.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.4 three-pointers, the conversation requires nitpicking at an elite level. When considering overall impact and advanced analytics, Edwards faces stiff competition from the likes of Nikola Jokic, with his three MVP awards and top estimated plus/minus, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and win shares leader, and Luka Doncic, the current scoring leader and triple-double machine.
Would you pick Edwards over these stars in a hypothetical 1-on-1 showdown? Maybe, maybe not.
But that's not the essence of this debate. It's about quantifying greatness, and Edwards isn't quite there yet in many all-encompassing metrics.
Still, Paul's view isn't off base. Many Timberwolves fans likely echo his sentiments. These debates rarely end in consensus, and that's part of the fun.
So, while Paul's praise might seem a bit generous to some, it's clear that Edwards has earned such admiration.