In the world of the NBA, trash talk is almost as revered as the slam dunks and buzzer-beaters. But while the young guns like Anthony Edwards are quick to let their mouths do the work, NBA legend Magic Johnson believes Edwards’ game needs to catch up to his words—stat!
Recently, the Minnesota Timberwolves star has been making waves, not just for his performances on the court, but for the non-stop chatter that seems to follow. And in classic Hall of Famer fashion, Magic Johnson delivered a no-nonsense message that echoed across the NBA world: “Talk less, win more.”
Magic’s Tough Love on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the five-time NBA champ didn’t mince words when addressing Edwards’ habit of stirring the pot with other players. When asked about the 23-year-old’s bold remarks about Michael Jordan’s era, Magic leaned into the camera and said what many were thinking: “You might want to talk trash when you’ve actually won something. Until then, shhh.” Ouch.
Johnson’s advice came after Edwards, brimming with confidence, hinted that today’s NBA stars would have dominated back in the ‘90s—yes, the very era where Jordan collected his six rings like Pokémon badges. Admirable? Maybe. Premature? Definitely. And Magic wasn’t about to let him get away with it.
The Timberwolves’ Almost-Moment
Now, don’t get it twisted—Anthony Edwards is a beast on the court. The Timberwolves had a strong 2023-24 season, making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals by toppling the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. But, as Johnson reminded everyone, they were ultimately sent packing by the Dallas Mavericks. So much for that Cinderella story.
Johnson added a little extra sting to his point: “If I’m Anthony Edwards, I’m worried about the Dallas Mavericks, not about whether I could have handled Jordan and the ‘90s Bulls. Focus on beating today’s teams before you try to rewrite history, kid.” You could almost hear the collective “Ooooh” from basketball fans everywhere.
Less Talk, More Trophies
While Anthony Edwards’ bravado is certainly entertaining—because who doesn’t love a little drama?—Magic’s advice is golden. In the NBA, talk is cheap unless you’ve got the hardware to back it up. Magic himself is living proof of that, and you don’t see him trash-talking players half his age.
So, Anthony, here’s some sage wisdom: let your game do the talking. Trash talk is fun, sure, but until you’re hoisting that championship trophy over your head, maybe take Magic’s advice and tone it down. You haven’t won anything yet—emphasis on the yet.
In the immortal words of Magic Johnson: “Win first, talk later.” Now that’s a playbook to live by.