With the way that the New York Knicks have been dominating the NBA playoffs, led by the efforts of star Jalen Brunson, it's natural that the rest of the league takes notice if the Knicks' elite guard and what he's been capable of, especially considering that Brunson has flown under the radar relative to his talent.

But, the kind of performance that Brunson has been putting on creates the perfect environment for recency bias and NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton isn't falling for it. 

When the retired NBA great appeared on the "Game Over" podcast with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, he was pressed on which guards he would take over Jalen Brunson at this point and while Payton was quick to say that Brunson would remain his number two, a certain Minnesota Timberwolves star immediately sprung to his mind.

"6'4, 6'5, jump out the gym and can do a lot of things," Payton said of his preference for Edwards. "I'll take Anthony Edwards over him [Brunson]."

Comparing Edwards and Brunson is looking at a pair of opposites. As Payton said, Edwards is a player defined by his size and his outstanding athleticism.

Not only can he shoot well from the field hitting new career-highs at 48.9% from the field and 39.9% from three point range, but Edwards can drive and put together high-flying dunks that have already made him the star of countless highlight reels in his brief career. 

That physical distinction is what so immediately sets him apart from Brunson, who has long been called an undersized guard with below average athleticism, according to his detractors. 

Brunson has overcome those physical limitations in the NBA with his excellent handles and craft playmaking, but there's are all traits that Edwards has exhibited as well, though his physicality has meant that Edwards doesn't have to rely on those traits early as much.

Looking at the hard numbers Edwards stands out as well. Looking at just this past season, Edwards has the better of Brunson in average points, rebounds, steals and blocks per game, with Brunson having the advantage in assists per game.

Edwards was also more accurate than Brunson from both the field and beyond the arc this season, while putting up a higher volume of shots. 

That package of handles and shooting along with his pace and dominance on the inside with his drives is what makes Edwards one of the most offensively complete guards in the NBA and as he grows older and more experienced, one of the best players in the NBA as a whole. 

Brunson may be dominating in the playoffs, a credit to the strength of his team around him as well as his own talents, but both the numbers and the eye test back up Payton's praise of Edwards.