Who Is ACTUALLY Better: Anthony Edwards or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? | NBA Versus

[@hoophierarchy]

I do want to note since this video is getting more attention recently with Anthony Edwards’ playoff run: this video was made before the 2023-24 NBA season. Most of what I said here is still accurate, though I do now believe the conversation at this current time between the two is much closer (though I would still go Shai as of now based on his season long body of work, not just the playoffs), and I would now pretty firmly lean Anthony Edwards to likely have a better long term career. He looks like he could be truly the next great SG in the NBA (which coincidentally I made a video on last summer as well, check that one out)

[@ken58763]

Ant is 3 years younger than Shai, so in the long term, I think Ants gonna be better. But both phenomenal players, good video!

[@trumpies]

The one who made all nba first team with 5th in MVP voting, and the one who won their country a medal. Gimmi that one.

[@hoophierarchy]

Agree

[@RJLKMRD]

I do think Anthony Edwards is going to be the face of the NBA and I personally feel he's the best player in the NBA but I understand the argument otherwise and that's why I wrote that probably SGA is at the moment above

[@dehaman_4_144]

Ant had one of the best playoff performances last year. Only Booker averaged similar numbers in the playoffs to Ant's numbers. This is more valuable than anything SGA has shown thus far. Taking over playoff series at 21 is insane. This is GOAT material.

[@RJLKMRD]

@@dehaman_4_144 it's the Timberwolves fault, imo that Anthony Edwards isn't number one right now in the league, it's their fault, they forced him to negotiate a difficult situation with Towns and sharing the offensive load and costing him development opportunities

[@duffal0]

Shai is so far ahead of Ant it’s not even funny. Anyone who pays attention and watches games knows the gap.

[@ryanb7186]

Shai played like a top 10 player in the league last season. Ant isn't there yet, but has the talent to reach that level, given some more time. I think a Shai/Ja comparison would have been more interesting, as they are closer in age. But Ja off of the court has been a hot mess.

[@hoophierarchy]

Hard to judge Ja right now. On talent he’s great, but his future availability is in question

[@callidawkins85]

Ja isnt as skilled as Shia.. simple eye test can determine that

[@dehaman_4_144]

No playoffs = empty stats. KAT has godly stats too, he sux.

[@ClydeW893]

EASY SGA, "I think Shai is just a little better in most categories", BRAH Shai averaged 31 on elite efficiency and great defense. Not even close.

[@hoophierarchy]

You agree with my conclusion, what are you actually upset about?😂

[@jedimasterglenn897]

Well, the game for bronze answered it

[@hughtaylor1129]

Fr, it’s baffling how people think ants better

[@ClydeW893]

They ride ANt hard when Shai his CLEARLY better @@hughtaylor1129

[@icegod4767]

​@hughtaylor1129 actually ant is better he plays both sides of the ball better than sga, and don't forget ant outplayed sga in that play in game wolves vs thunder

[@hughtaylor1129]

@@icegod4767 shai is a way better playmaker and a better scorer, I’ll give any the defence, one game should not change your opinion compared to an entire season and him outplaying him when ant had better teammates

[@icegod4767]

@hughtaylor1129 idk I wouldn't say he was outplaying him ant was going ham last season I'd say neck to neck but ant ability to effectively guard really good players gives him the edge

[@bostoncelticsforlife7395]

Nice vid I feel like you were pretty educated and unbiased. Only thing I feel like you missed is Shai’s driving volume. He has the highest amount of drives per game in NBA history for like 2-3 years in a row now. Also one Shai’s biggest and most underrated strengths was not brought up imo which is his relentless aggression and and tendencies to initiate and play through contact.

[@LeFraicheLC]

Can’t wait till they play in the playoffs…Ant finna destroy that kid

[@Daveyjdigital]

You keep saying ant is brute force and power at finishing but he is finesse also the last two seasons he probably did more Uro steps then dunks

[@bagsandshoes201]

They are both amazing players but if you want a guy with a higher peak chose Ant if you want an better player right now chose Shai and I personally choose Ant

[@ScottySkilz1]

not even close......Shai 100% better

[@Long4Liberty2008]

I'm admittedly biased as a Minnesotan and avid watcher of the Timberwolves. There is nobody I'd rather have on the Wolves team than ANT, but having said that, I have no problem with your take. Shai is absolutely phenomenal, to the point of being frustrating when watching him play against the Wolves. ANT truly has it all, including the intangibles when it comes to leadership and just having that winning demeanor. He wants the ball when the game is on the line, and you can tell he loves the game and loves to compete. He does not get the calls that Shai gets and it's not even close, and I have no idea why that is. Still, he needs to complain less when he doesn't get the calls. For a guard, I think ANT is a great rebounder too. Pound for pound, I think he's a better rebounder than the bigs. He goes up strong, and when he gets his hands on the ball, nobody is going to take it from him. Rudy and KAT have definitely been impactful on the boards, but too often they have a hard time securing the ball on the way down and end up getting it swatted away.

[@TylerAnderson-xl6hb]

Now SGA is better but long term Ant. He might be the face of the NBA one day.

[@Chickenpesto2468]

Shai is so much better this debate is hilarious

[@donjohn7709]

SGA for the moment. ANT in the immediate/foreseeable future.

[@brandonh4164]

Point guard position is too important , you have to go with Shai

[@nydibs]

Shai’s not really a pg tho, Giddey is the pg on okc

[@brandonh4164]

you're right @@nydibs

[@nydibs]

Shai has a great mid range and is great at baiting foul calls I think Edwards is better at everything else. I’m taking Edwards. He lead his team to the playoffs 2/3 seasons. Give him half the calls Shai gets and there’s no debate

[@DylanG0AT]

Shai has made the playoffs the same amount of times as and as a rookie and a sophomore

[@nydibs]

@@DylanG0AT - he didnt lead his team to the playoffs, Ant averaged 31 ppg vs Denver, and led all players in the series in both steals and blocks SGA had games of 4, 7, 6, 9 and 4 points. He had more bad games than he has good in the playoffs

[@DylanG0AT]

@nydibs most of those "bad games" were when SGA was facing th3 16-17 warriors in his Rookie season. Sga was never a first option and in all of Ants years he made the playoffs he was the first option.

[@nydibs]

@@DylanG0AT - right, but thats my point. SGA may have made the playoffs, but Ant led his team there

[@DylanG0AT]

@@nydibs Shai really hasnt had the opportunity to do that though - 2020-21: Start of thunder rebuild/tank 2021-22: 2nd year of thunder rebuild/tank 2022-23: Brought a team projected to win 20 games into the 2nd round of the play-in tournament, but then lost to KAT and Gobert for not having a real center or PF.

[@dehaman_4_144]

I don't understand how you make Ant's playoff performance equal to whatever shown in the regular season? Playoffs matter and Ant, like every great player, steps up his game when it matters.

[@dehaman_4_144]

SGA needs playoff games before we rank him. I take Doncic, Murray, Donavan Mitchel, Booker, Ant, Fox, Brunson, and Ja before SGA. Only after playoff series I can rank a player.

[@currys8516]

@@dehaman_4_144Brunson, really? You are a casual

[@dehaman_4_144]

@@currys8516 Brunson been to western conference finals and took NYK to second round playoffs. SGS hasn't shown anything except regular season. His last game, play-in, OKC lost 35 points to Timberwovles. You are casual. SGA has not shown anything as leader of a team.

[@Chickenpesto2468]

Shai hasn’t even been in the palyoffs

[@TloDimes]

Shai better, ant ceiling higher tho I think. Is better than shai at 22

[@spirituallyoutmymind8006]

How much higher ?

[@ClydeW893]

Right! Is Ant gonna averaged over 31pts per game on elite efficiency and good defense? I don't see it.@@spirituallyoutmymind8006

[@RJLKMRD]

agreed

[@TloDimes]

@@spirituallyoutmymind8006 nothing crazy I think they both will be top 10 but ant athleticism can take him over the top u can’t teach that. His playmaking will get better

[@FeDx318]

Ant is way better ….shai just now making the playoffs this year ….smh

[@mlai2546]

At the moment, Shai is a much better player. Shai is the only point guard to shoot 51%fg and averaging 30+ppg. I believe the last guard to do so was Michael Jordan. Not even the great Kobe Bryant could average +50%fg. Shai is in a league of his own. Also Shai took Canada to 3rd place in FIBA World Cup. Had his teammates shot better in that game against Serbia, Canada would have been in the finals playing for Gold or Silver. Give Anthony Edward a couple of years and let's see what happens. Anthony is a very good offensive player at 22, but he doesn't make anyone better or plays good defense. Also he has one or two moves only. Shai has many moves and does a lot of unexpected stop and go. Very deceiving and hence why it is hard to stop him.

[@callidawkins85]

i agree with this take

[@Daveyjdigital]

Anthony Edwards overall he has Goat potential Greatest of all time

[@keatonrice578]

Oh helllllll nah bro 🤣 my man is not all that.

[@lilvdawg23]

I think ant will be better by the end of next season, if you have seen the fiba world cup he has dropped 25+ in almost every game. Fiba games are shorter too, so in the nba where ant gets more of the ball he can possible average 27,28+ if hes consistent.

[@keatonrice578]

Shai averaged 31 last year bruva. Ant’s great but shai made all nba first team at only 25. He’s only going to get better like ant. Also the thunder are going to be significantly better next year so he’ll add playoff success. Again ant is good but not near the level of shai and I don’t think he’ll catch him for the next couple years if ever.

[@Trevon4567]

Shai is averaging basically 31 right now, so that’s a lot better then 28 a game

[@LeFraicheLC]

Who being compared to MICHAEL JEFFEREY JORDAN????

[@FishkelRecords]

Shay

[@michaelborchardt1527]

You're going to need to revise this video because Aunt is now at 47% on his mid-range five games into this year and something he really worked on off-season

[@nicolesmith2442]

You can tell his basis because Ant is a Dog !!!!! Ant is a better player, defender! Stop it

[@Peguim]

now ant easy

[@sven5036]

Good video all facts

[@kcapo8909]

5:20 Jokic straight up shoves Gobert to the ground lmao

[@LeFraicheLC]

The one who 22 and up his game in the playoffs

[@hoophierarchy]

Well do note that I made this video over 8 months ago and I did say at the end that if you want a guy longer term go with Ant, which is still true

[@LeFraicheLC]

@@hoophierarchy yea no attack on you. I’m just leaving this for those comment readers. 😂 you were pretty spot on for 8 months ago

[@bonystickmanking1250]

Its shai of we talking now. Ant is too inconsistent and young. Shai is extremely efficient and mature for his and while being extremely efficient. This wolves series with the mavs would be a good indicator however if ant is getting to that level with shai if he can consistently get 30 a night. But shai looks like a top 3 player right now with the games I've watched.

[@LeFraicheLC]

@@bonystickmanking1250 you watched the last game of the season??? Wolves won. Wolves always beat Shai. Ant is a better defender and got more heart. Ant get better every playoffs. Shai don’t

[@ThatPervyUncleAtTheBBQ]

Ant PPG in Playoffs 28.1 Shai PPG in Playoffs 15.1

[@LARULES100]

Shai only been in the playoffs his 1st season with the thunder.Hes mvp caliber now and ant is not.

[@LeFraicheLC]

Ant wayyyyyy better than this clown

[@LeFraicheLC]

@@LARULES100is shai being compared to MJ????

[@LARULES100]

@LeFraicheLC I don't see it.Hes good but only kobe played like mike.

[@LeFraicheLC]

@@LARULES100 do more research bro

[@atg4553]

Defense and Finishing ANT clears.

[@karl-heinzjean-francois8554]

Shai is better at finishing🤡💀

[@hoophierarchy]

….Ok?😂

[@lilvdawg23]

clearly have never watched ant lmao

[@neverbeenequal]

@@lilvdawg23Shai is a better finisher, Ant is just more athletic lol

[@neverbeenequal]

Yes?

[@lilvdawg23]

ant is more efficient at the rim, most the time shai just draws fouls@@neverbeenequal

[@joecallero396]

Based on last season, SGA maybe is better by Ant by a hair. SGA is yet to make the playoffs and Ant's playoff performance was of a top 10 player. Future and ceiling I think it is clearly Ant. I think something no one is talking about is body development from age 21/22 to 25. Just like Ant, SGA got bigger and stronger year to year and Ant just had his 21 year old season. I think he will still continue to mature physically where SGA is hitting his peak (not to say physically he isnt elite - I just think Ant could be in a tier of his own). I think SGA is great and will be top 10 for a while but I can see Ant being the best in a couple years. SGA - Safe Elite Pick, Edwards - More upside with a top 15 player floor.

[@swipernoswiping3053]

Sga never been to the playoffs? His teams have had more playoff wins than Edwards teams have.

[@andychase7693]

I enjoyed your video, and I agree with you as far as right now, Shai is probably a more "complete" player. But long term, I'll take Ant all day, every day. I can't wait to see him "blow up" in the next few years!

[@TyquanReaper]

Sga gets better every year tho since his rookie year

[@tallen651]

Shai plays for a poorer team and it's easier to be the scorer when playing for a poor team. Ant has made the playoffs twice and teams have had to try and stop him to beat the Wolves. He still averaged more in the playoffs and plays much better D than Shai. Advantage definitely Ant-Man.

[@currys8516]

🤦🏼‍♂️Mate the difference between Minnesota and OKC last season was very minimal, and Shai dominated Ant in every departement last season except for 3 pointers.

[@WheresWaldo05]

The one who got mvp votes is better. Smh.

[@3questo699]

This is silly…ANT is obviously better. What’s the argument? I don’t get it

[@robocop581]

Statistically? LOL

[@jeziahcooper6659]

Ima come back to this video in a couple years and laugh at everyone who’s picking SHAI🤣

[@neverbeenequal]

He’s better (right now) cry about it

[@tjjoshlj4968]

Bro picked Ant to hit a game winning three as if Shai wasn’t like 5/6 on go ahead threes in the last 24 seconds last season lmao As far as the point you made near the end of the video comparing their age 21 seasons, you also have to take into account that was Shai’s second year while it was Ant’s third year. I don’t think this should be a knock on Ant by any means for reclassifying, but you also have to acknowledge the fact that they had very similar stats in their third seasons.

[@mdiggler]

Edwards ability to stay healthy vs Shai: Edwards: 20 Shai: 14

[@neverbeenequal]

Thunder have been tanking and “resting” “injured” players, stop this lol

[@mdiggler]

@neverbeenequal Oh so that's why he's missed huge chunks for 3 straight seasons. Thanks for clearing it up.

[@neverbeenequal]

@@mdiggler I mean, that’s definitely part of the reason lol

[@RJLKMRD]

Right now it's SGA but I will say this, the Timberwolves deliberatly, due to nothing but their own stubbornness and ineptitude slowed down Anthony Edwards' offensive development by continuing to keep Towns on this team and that's what's so unfair, let's see where it stands next year between these two, I for one have wanted the Wolves to trade KAT for SGA which I know won't happen, we would have to give more up to get him but, he's worth it, I want SGA and Edwards on the same team, how about that!!

[@phuntsokphotography]

One is 22 other one is 25, and don’t tell me that is big difference. Shai is now about to hit his prime and Act Is just learning how to play at this age. Ant took this team to playoffs last year while KAT missed 50+ games. Everyone who dislike KAT including myself, remember prior to last year he was all nba player. Ant has amazing leadership quality at his age and has the killer mentality dog in him.

[@ClydeW893]

Shai was better than Ant when he was 22 yrs old too.

[@phuntsokphotography]

@@ClydeW893 ant took his Team to playoff las year at 21 years of age. What did Shai do?

[@hoophierarchy]

Shai was not better than Ant in his age 21 season. Ant hasn’t played his age 22 season, so we don’t know if Shai is better than Ant at that age

[@slender289]

​@@phuntsokphotography Shai was the 4th option on OKC at 21 yrs old when OKC pushed the rockets to 7 games let's compare their number where SGA is the first option this time in this upcoming season cuz we all know Shai is going to bring the Thunder to a top 6 seed in the west & have homecourt advantage in the Playoffs. I trust SGA to perform in the playoffs especially how he carried Team Canada helped them qualify to the Olympics but also getting a top 3 finish in the podium he also outplayed ant plus the entire team usa in that game he was doing everything for Canada out there I can see that translating to the Playoffs

[@slender289]

​@@hoophierarchySGA missed that season he was on pace to a 50/40/90 season it weren't for his injury but then OKC decided to shut him down completely & effectively to tank for their rebuild

[@geraldbecker703]

Foul baiters suck in the playoffs when the whistle eases up.

[@JLENDSS]

He’s can adjust easily though he attempts 2.5 3s a game

[@DylanG0AT]

??

[@David-rt2oo]

What about Jimmy then ?

[@geraldbecker703]

Jimmy is 8 per game and SGA is 11. Jimmy also plays D and can rebound so he is effecting the game in a lot of ways. SGA while getting a block a game doesnt really impact the game defensively like Jimmy does and he only gets 4 rebounds per game. In other words when the whistle stops in the playoffs he drops down in PPG by 1/3 of his average and has no other way of impacting the game. This is not to say he is a bad player, but its more of a Harden impact in terms of expectations than a Jimmy impact. (SGA way better than Harden btw so he is prob way more valuable than Harden but the beset comp I could think of)@@David-rt2oo

[@rob2435]

I have both in fantasy let’s go