Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards revived a blast from the past when he answered a flip phone in the middle of a press conference.
A defining trait of Generation Z is their obsession with the Y2K era, the early 2000s period which includes the birth of many Gen Z individuals.
No zoomer appears to be more fixated on the past than Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards. Born in 2001, the 20-year-old player that went No. 1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft owns a relic of a bygone era that older generations are quick to put behind them: the flip phone.
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Anthony Edwards flip phone just rang during his postgame press conference. He answered it.
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) November 30, 2021
Asked if he has a flip phone, he said "yeah, that's my baby"
Anthony Edwards owns a flip phone from the era he was born in
The funny thing about Edwards owning a flip phone is that he’s no veteran NBA player holding onto his first phone from the late 1990s — Edwards can’t even remember a time when flip phones were still popular, unlike LeBron James.
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For perspective, the first iPhone was released when Edwards was five-years-old. Since the iPhone boom, smart phones have conquered the market as Samsung and Apple dominate the landscape.
Even the Motorola Razr, which is reportedly the best-selling clamshell phone to date, underwent a revamp for the 2020s. The iconic metallic flip phone that once slid easily into jean pockets now involves a foldable touchscreen.
But Edwards apparently prefers simplicity to cutting-edge technology, evidenced by the fact that he raved about his flip phone while speaking on his flip phone aboard the team bus.
I heard Ant talking about his flip phone while on his flip phone.... on the bus after the Philly game...I wanted to turn around at ask him about it (Like a didn't believe he had one)...but then I forgot.
— Jim Petersen (@JimPeteHoops) November 30, 2021
Flip phone distractions aside, Edwards is having an impressive season as he delivers for the Timberwolves with commanding play-making abilities. During their narrow 100-98 win over the Indiana Pacers, Edwards slapped the ball away from the Pacers to barrel downcourt, pass to Taurean Prince, then reclaim the ball for a slam dunk.
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On the night, Edwards had 21 points making seven out of 19 field goals and two of seven three-point attempts — not a great night for shooting, but Edwards’ steal and resulting basket alone made the difference in the game.
If a flip phone can help Edwards channel that late 1990s physicality in the game, then Edwards should pass them out to all of his teammates.