Reggie Miller picks between Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic: "Give me that 22-year old"

The Dallas Mavericks crushed the Minnesota Timberwolves last season to secure their spot in the NBA Finals. And in all the hype to crown Anthony Edwards as the next big thing, the Luka Doncic hype took a temporary hiatus as the high-flying Minnesota guard took the NBA playoffs by storm.

This is how the sports world works. Doncic has been around for a while, so fans begin to nitpick. Meanwhile, Edwards is the shiny new guy on the block who has undoubtedly been a fan favorite for everyone. Among the Ant-Man believers is five-time NBA All-Star and one of the game's greatest shooters, Reggie Miller.

"I would still take Anthony Edwards," Miller said on the Dan Patrick Show when asked to pick between Ant and Doncic. "And as great and good and fantastic as Luka is, give me that dude, that 22-year-old."

Doncic's historic season

Many argued that Luka should have been this year's NBA MVP. He put up historic numbers with 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. The Mavericks star averaged 7.5 points more than Nikola Jokic, the eventual MVP.

The Slovenian isn't just one of the NBA's top superstars—he's the superstar. He led the league in scoring, pulled the Mavericks out of Play-In purgatory, and got them a fifth seed in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.

No. 77 carried the Mavs through the playoffs to the Finals. If it weren't for that juggernaut up in Boston, the 25-year-old would've done something few his age have— win a championship and NBA Finals MVP.

Despite the cavalcade of hits for Doncic in 2023-24, Miller seems to be looking beyond the stats in choosing the Minnesota star over him.

"I think Luka is going to have all the numbers; he's going to have all the triple-doubles, the points, and all that, so statistically, Luka will have all the numbers," he continued. "But if you're just telling me on the playground and both were standing, I'm going with Antony Edwards."

Related: Carmelo Anthony shares how if Jayson Tatum had the same aura as Anthony Edwards, he would've been the next face of the NBA

A Michael Jordan kind of talent

Right now, Ant may just be a top-five NBA player. As he matures and sharpens his shooting, he can leapfrog everyone in the next year or two if he brings that same consistency to his defensive efforts.

Throughout last season, many likened the 22-year-old's game to none other than Michael Jordan . With his acrobatics, spring-loaded legs, and a touch of charisma and trash-talk on the court, he earned a moniker few his age have received. For that reason, Reggie was in awe of the Wolves shooting Guard.

"Look, I've heard the comparisons, and again, you and I were just talking about MJ," the NBA legend said during another episode of the Dan Patrick Show. " You know how I feel about him, and there's not a lot of love lost, but Michael Jordan is one-of-one, okay? And I understand that we are all fascinated with trying to find the next MJ. We did Kobe, Vince Carter, Dwayne Wade, and all those guys; there were similarities."

"Having said all of that, I do see some correlation between Antony Edwards and Micheal Jordan. The movement, the shots, the fadeaways, and how he approaches the defensive side of things. Edwards might still be 22, and his game is still getting polished, but MJ wasn't polished at 22 either," Reggie added.

For Edwards to justify the Jordan comparisons, he needs to start winning. Or at least make a deep playoff run, similar to what Doncic did last season with the Mavs.

Related: Mark Jackson reveals the underrated aspect of Anthony Edwards' game that makes him a star: "It's a compliment to his greatness"