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Anthony Edwards' Strong Comments on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Resurface Before West Finals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated May 19, 2025 9:07 PM ET

The stage is set for the Western Conference finals as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves battle in what should be an epic series.

All eyes will be on the two superstars from each side as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards go toe-to-toe to prove which young stud is more capable of leading his team to the NBA finals.

Edwards, in particular, never lacks confidence. In fact, he firmly believes that he's a better player than Gilgeous-Alexander, which he did not hesitate to say in a previous interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

"I think that's dope because I think he's exactly right," Edwards responded when asked about LeBron James' comments about being the future of the league. "Me and Shai and Luka (Doncic) for sure."

When asked straight up how he believes he measures up to Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic, Edwards made his thoughts abundantly clear.

"I feel like I'm a better player, 100%," he told Smith.

Anthony Edwards didn't hold back with @stephenasmith in this February 2024 interview

"I feel like I'm a better player than [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić]." pic.twitter.com/uFu8Lv6FJw
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 19, 2025

This interview happened way back in February 2024. So much has happened since then, and Edwards and Gilgeous-Alexander are potentially heading to their first NBA finals for a chance at winning their first career championship.

Edwards will now have an opportunity to prove that he can back up his big claim with Game 1 of the West finals scheduled for Tuesday night. Edwards has already achieved a lot in his young NBA career, but he will face arguably his biggest test in this series.

It's time for him to step up to the plate.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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