Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum Catch Strays From Former MVP

Today's generation of young NBA superstars, including the likes of Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum and Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are highly touted for their advanced talent.

With the way the game has evolved, overall skill level has become the yardstick. It's no secret that even big guys are required nowadays to shoot from deep and have decent ball-handling.

But of course, most old heads will tout their own time and place it above the current generation. One example is former MVP Kevin Garnett. He responded to Edward's recent remark that NBA legend Michael Jordan was the only skilled player in the 1990s.

Garnett didn't agree and clapped back at today's crop of players.

"If I'm being honest, bro, I don't think anyone in this generation could've played, like, 20 years ago," KG said on the "Ticket & The Truth" podcast. "This is to Ant, this is to everybody in our league, Tatum. All y'all.

"Let me tell you something, bro. Twenty years ago, you couldn't get to a triple step-back (jumper)."

Garnett, who won a title with the Celtics, also harped about the game's physicality during their time. He also chastised the unnecessary movements and the high-scoring nature of the current NBA.

"We had efficiency back in the day," the Hall of Fame forward stressed, adding that the league was "more of a fraternity" back then.

Just for comparison, the league average for field goal percentage in the 2003-04 season—Garnett's MVP year—was 43.9%, according to StatMuse . Last season, the tally was 47.4%.

Garnett, who also starred for the Timberwolves, shot an average of 49.7% in his 22-year career.

Edwards and Tatum, meanwhile, have continually developed their physique every season to adjust to the demanding phase of today's NBA.

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