LeBron James is not included in Anthony Edwards’ top-five list of all-time NBA greats (Image: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Anthony Edwards and LeBron James were both No.1 picks in the NBA Draft 17 years apart and the Minnesota TImberwolves star has spoken about his top five players of all time

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has explained why Kevin Durant is his favorite NBA player – as he ommited LeBron James from his list of all-time greats.

James is the all-time record point scorer in NBA history having broken the previous record set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in February. The 38-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star has entered his 21st season in the league and he bids to win the fourth championship of his career.

Edwards is expected to be one of the future stars of the NBA after being drafted with the No.1 overall pick in 2020. The 22-year-old has now entered his fourth season in the league as he looks to help Minnesota reach the postseason and go further than the first round.

In an interview with HEIR, Edwards was asked to list the top five players of all time in the NBA in his opinion. In no particular order, Edwards listed Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, and Kevin Durant. There was no place on the list for James, despite him being widely regarded as one of the best to ever play in the NBA. Edwards and James are due to go head-to-head as the Lakers go on the road to face the Timberwolves on Dec. 21 at Target Center.

Edwards was quick to point out that Durant is his favorite player to feature in the NBA. Durant himself has won two championships in the past with the Golden State Warriors and is currently looking to win another with the Phoenix Suns. It’s Durant’s approach to the game that Edwards says he admires the most about the Suns star. Edwards went on to explain why he looks to Durant as an inspiration for his own attitude when he steps foot on the court.

“He (Durant) just loves the game, it reminds me of myself. He just don’t care, he’s just gonna go out there,” Edwards told HEIR. “He treats the game like the ball can do two things, either you’re gonna make the shot or you’re gonna miss the shot. And most people put too much into it. If you think you’re gonna miss it, you’re gonna miss it. Just shoot it the same way every time, and that’s pretty much why I love KD.”

Edwards was one of the stars for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in August and September, but could not prevent his country from losing to Germany in the semifinal. Edwards is averaging 25.0 points per game so far this season for the Timberwolves after the first four games, with Minnesota currently 2-2 heading into the home game against the Utah Jazz on Saturday.