From Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson to LeBron James vs. Steph Curry, rivalries have defined multiple generations of basketball. And the NBA's next great rivalry is starting to become clear: Anthony Edwards vs. Victor Wembanyama. With the careers of LeBron, Curry, and Kevin Durant starting to wind down, it's fair to start thinking about what players will define the next era.
Undoubtedly, as the two best players under the age of 25, Ant and Wemby are next in line to take over as the faces of the league. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are clearly in this conversation as well, but at 27 and 30, they're a bit older. As such, it's clear that Ant and Wemby feel poised to take the reins in terms of the true younger generation.
It's not just that Ant and Wemby are great players, but whenever they play each other, there's clearly an extra sense of energy. Heck, we even saw this in the All-Star Game. The game between Team Stars and Team World was truly electric, and it's clear that the two players bring the best out of each other.
After the game, Edwards credited Wemby for setting the tone of the All-Star Game. Earlier this season, Edwards notched a career-high of 55 points against Wemby and the San Antonio Spurs.
Anthony Edwards vs. Victor Wembanyama is the ideal rivalry
To me, everything about this Edwards-Wemby matchup makes for a perfect rivalry. From an on-court standpoint, Edwards ungodly athleticism and 3-point shooting, compared to Wemby's absurd size and all-around skill set, is a fun contrast. Both styles of play are fun to watch for die-hard and casual fans alike.
Think of some of the great rivalries in league history, and the contrast in styles is in part what made them great. LeBron and Steph are the perfect example of this. While LeBron's athleticism, size, and IQ made him one of the league's dominant players, the 6-foot-2 Curry became an all-time great due to his unmatched 3-point shooting (along with his dazzling handles and speed).
For as much as it is about on-court play, let's be honest, star personalities are just as important when it comes to creating a legendary rivalry. And much like, playstyles opposites build interest.
Edwards and Wemby are opposite personalities in the best possible way. For better or worse, Ant says whatever is on his mind. Six years into the league, PR training isn't in his vocabulary. Ant will always be himself; he's confident, authentic, and flat-out hilarious -- all qualities that make him perfect to be a star.
Wembanyama, on the other hand, is more introverted and reflective. He is a true intellectual with a passion for reading and chess, among other things. Despite being just 22, Wemby sounds like a 15-year NBA veteran, and he has sounded like this since his rookie year. Plus, with international basketball exploding, there's a fun subplot of the American-born Edwards and the French-born Wemby.
Again, this contrast makes things so interesting. The Bird-Magic rivalry is a perfect example of the power of contrasting personalities. Bird was an introvert playing in the traditionally blue-collar city of Boston. Conversely, the extroverted Magic played in the bright lights of LA.
Some fans have been dreading the possibility of a post-LeBron and Curry NBA. However, it's hard to argue that the NBA isn't in good hands and the budding Ant-Wemby rivalry is a massive reason why.