Magic Johnson, a point guard in the NBA, was a versatile player who played with various lineups, including Scott/Cooper, Wilkes/Worthy, Rambis/Green, and Kareem. He was considered a shooting guard early on when Norm Nixon was on the team. Magic led the Lakers to the championship with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in a 123-107 win while playing guard, forward, and center at different stages.
Throughout his career, Magic Johnson displayed remarkable versatility on both ends of the court, sometimes playing as a small forward or power forward. He is widely considered the greatest point guard in NBA history, alongside Stephen Curry. Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. is considered the greatest point guard in NBA history, and his early life, career, and legacy are often compared to the two greatest point guards in NBA history.
Johnson spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a dangerous scorer from anywhere on the court and a capable rebounder. He averaged 19.5 points and was the primary ball handler/distributor, averaging 12 apg over his career. After being drafted by the 76ers, it became clear that he was not a point guard, as he shoots way too much for a point guard.
Magic Johnson weighed in on the debate over the best point guard of all time, choosing himself over Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. He is considered the greatest consummate point guard ever, combining shooting, passing, and rebounding, mastering the triple-double, and showing athletes what they can do in a post- NBA world.
📹 How Good Was Magic Johnson Actually?
As a 5-time NBA champ, 3-time league MVP, Hall of Famer, and the straw that stirred one of basketball’s most famous styles of …
📹 Why Magic Johnson Was the Best PG Of All Time
Coach Nick breaks down Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals, when Magic started for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center.
What I still can’t believe is that some fans like to say Magic Johnson wasn’t a “pure point guard,” as if his versatility and ability to score when his team needed him to are somehow knocks against his point guard play. If a “pure point guard” is a guy who won’t pick up the scoring load when his teammates are struggling, or won’t frequently grab double-digit rebounds, or can’t play 4 or 5 different positions throughout the season or a playoff series, then you can keep your “pure point guard.” Give me Magic Johnson.
I have Magic as the #4 of all time (1. Jabbar, 2. Russell, 3. Jordan). First of all, the man was just a winner, plain and simple. Like Russell, everything he touched emerged as a gold medal winner. He was an NCAA champ, five time NBA champ (if his peak was 90s he could have doubled that, as the 1988 expansion severely diluted the league), and Olympic champion. Second, he played whatever role was necessary to win, for example game six of the 1980 NBA Finals or the many years he subdued his scoring role to ensure “Cap”, was the main option, then picked up his scoring (starting in 87) when Cap was slowing down and Riley urged Magic to take over. Finally, Magic was the consummate floor general, unlike the players if today (see New Orleans and Davis), he knew how to utilize all the tools in his tool bag, and always fed the Big dog (jabbar) until he was full.
Look at the film. Who is number 9? Jim Chones. What position did he play? What position did Norm Nixon play? Who is covering Daryl Dawkins the 76ers center? Who is covering the Maurice Cheeks the 76ers point guard. Magic Johnson plays power forward when Michael Cooper is in the game and 2 guard the rest of the time. It sells saying he played all positions. Just like they try to say about Lebron these days. Magic always power forward on defense with the Lakers zone. He gets the rebound and Wilkes then later Worthy release to start the break
@bballbreakdown i could never tell, was he as good a player as he was a coach, also can you do breakdowns of the kobe/shaq lakers in the finals and see why they were dominant, and also can you breakdown kobes 81 game to see how toronto let him have the 2nd greatest performance in history? keep up the good work 🙂
Nice article but “coach” you don’t actually believe Magic played center do you? He jumped center at the start of the game but that was it really, Magic even said so in his book “My Life”. Jim Chones guarded Dawkins and held him to 14 points (with Landesberger helping?). Magic was everywhere on the court and did have a brilliant game as did the often overlooked Wilkes. I also believe Magic made every one of his freethrows (14 of 14?) which is just another example of how good and well rounded he was offensively. Defensively Magic was not good enough to guard other centers.
LAKERS and Kareem are LUCKY they DRAFTED MAGIC who was like Lebron before LeBron …unfortunately for JORDAN he didn’t have a real team around him in the 80’s like CELTICS AND LAKERS, AND PISTONS WHO BEAT MAGICS TEAM TWICE WHEN PIPPEN GOT MIGRAINS IN GAME 7 OF EAST FINALS…, HAD MJ THE ALL-TIME LEADER OF 40 POINT GAMES STARTED WITH SOME HOF’S LIKE BIRD AND MAGIC HE WOULD OF STARTED WINNING GAMES SOONER…UNLIKE PIPPEN WHO HAD BARKLEY AND HAKEEM IN HOUSTON…MJ WOULD OF LEAD THAT TEAM TO A RING…MJ GOAT… MAGIC JORDAN BIRD DUNCAN SHAQ
Everyone saying the article is incorrectly titled is missing the point here: he’s the best PG because he was capable of playing this far away from his natural position in the NBA Finals as a rookie, and elevating his game to the highest level. In the end, Magic was still a PG essentially playing out of position. What other PG could dominate from other positions like this? Oscar wouldn’t have been able to handle the 5. Stock, West, Cousy, Isiah, Paul, Kidd, GP? No way could they handle bigs.
Forget for a moment the term of point guard or shooting guard or off guard etc.If you want a guy to run your offense for 10 years you would have to go with either bob cousy or magic johnson.If these two were not available then id say oscar robertson,pete maravich,steve nash or john stockton in no particular order.Of course there are other spectacuar guards as good as or better than some of these guys,but these are the guys id want to control the rock and tempo of my teams offense.Some lesser stars were really smooth at running offenses too like gus williams and john lucas.Even some journymen players were pretty decent at running an offense and seeing the floor spreading the ball around,how about scott skiles or brad davis?
We all know Magic Johnson was a natural point guard. He played that position his whole life. He was the best point guard ever because what other point guard could literally play every single position? The article is not showing Magic’s point guard skills, but what set him apart from other points guards, i.e., his versatility.
Paul is surrounded by high amounts of talent in LA… Hence their amazing record. Rondo is quicker at the basket, thus resulting in better reflexes to put the ball in. And I never said those lanky arms are the only attribute to his defence. He always uses that to his advantage along with his quick feet, not allowing attackers to penetrate. And even if Boston is the worst rebounding team, the point guard should never be getting that many rebounds. That’s just how talented Rondo is.
Chuck Daly to the right of Billy Cunningham, one of the most underachieving coaches in NBA history (Billy, that is). This game is actually Exhibit A why Magic would most probably be the #1 overall pick in NBA history. He simply checks every box as far as value, and he has a better attitude and more will to win than LeBron, who will be #2. Bird would be the 3rd and Russell will be next. Tim Duncan will round out the Top Five of must haves to start a team. Nice vid.
why does the title say Magic is the best pg of all time? while it’s hard to argue that notion, i’m not sure how this article demonstrates it(7 assists) other than saying he was just incredibly versatile in what position he could play. just saying. loved the breakdown as always. have u broken down any MJ games yet??
I know this will leave a sour taste in the mouths of all the traditionalist’s, but that game 6, and early 80s was very sloppy basketball. Today players are perceived as dumb stylistically and awful at defense. I really do not think that is the case. how many shots in that article were prayers at best? All the running jumpers and over embellished high release’s are not good fundamentally. It is through evolution of a sport that players become smarter. The NBA was a different game at that point the 3 point line was just adopted and everyone did not know what a tool the corner 3 could be. It is essentially the most important shot in the NBA now. Zone defenses were illegal at that point of the NBA hence why players took so many close shots. At any level zone defenses are much more difficult to score in the paint than in man. That is why these teams ran the same offense the entire game. Something you can’t do in modern NBA with zones such as the bulls and spurs. I credit some of these players with sparking the evolution of the game but from a physical standpoint and more intelligent and well balanced game i find it very naive and backwards to believe that players today could not handle playing in different eras. Do you realize what athletic shooters would do in that game? Since zone was illegal players sagged off the ball greatly. Watch any film of 80s bball versus a good modern team 3 pointers are open the entire time almost non contested if you come off a screen. What would Curry or Durant or Melo or Lebron do in those circumstances?
I feel like the All time debate is out of date. This era has almost no players at the 3 point line. In today’s game almost every player has to be able to hit from the 3 to be effective. Half the shots in this game will probably never go up from any of today’s nba teams because no one looks to shoot middys anymore. Magic was a great passer and way ahead of his time no doubt. However, that by no means makes him the greatest of all time because the league is still actively going on. I definitely would not take Magic over a Steph Curry or Damian Lillard. He’d be a defensive liability and would congest the floor on offense.
How does everybody forget that Magic played with Kareem Abdul Jabbar the best player in the league when he arrived. The Lakers were already a very good team when he came to Lakers. I am not saying that he is not great but imagine if he went to Cleveland. Do you think he would still have the same amount of championships?
And you’re making it out like Bibby wasn’t lighting everyone up at that time. He played that Kobe-esq me-ball that is so popular now. The score first pg was still relatively new and Bibby embodied it early on. And GP could’ve remained successful, but as we know now, he didn’t even practice most of his career. Which he admitted led to the infamous Iverson outburst. Had he, it’s quite likely his dropoff not been so pronounced. Guess we know why he never won a title.
You think Magic didn’t have to guard quick point guards like Isaiah Thomas? Magic wasn’t a great individual defender but he was a good team defender. Besides, he’d simply dare Paul to shoot jumpers and would use his longer wingspan to try and bother him. On the other end, he’d kill Paul in the post or whoever else was guarding him with his craftiness. Magic wasn’t no slouch running the break either and was fas fuck initiating the break.
The76’ers couldn’t control the boards,even with Kareem out;says it all about Darryl Dawkins.Chocolate Thunder from the planet Lovetron was entertaining,though…BTW,you didn’t explain why Magic was the best point guard;might be true(though some people might say a truly great point guard should be deadly from the outside(a la the FIRST Isaiah Thomas)..or make an argument against Oscar Robertson(a WHOLE SEASON AVERAGE of TRIPLE DOUBLES)..I always had a lot of partiality fotr Tiny Archibald….Magic WAS one of the top 5 to play the game-like Bird,had a sense of what his team needed…scoring,rebounding,or playmaking and did it…Respectfully,just my opinion….
I mean in the can-rebound-like-to-pass kind of way, not in the speed, athleticism. I know that he’s more athletic. Rose is a better scorer and I would even consider him a better leader. Rondo is a terrific player, don’t get me wrong, but I put D-Will, CP3, and Rose above Rose any day of the week. MY OPINION.
Problem is, Chris Paul has to depend on above average players most of the time. Rondo can give it to anyone and still get them in rhythm. Rondo is also a better finisher at the basket and a more tenacious defender with those lanky arms. His jumper is developing but still poor. Also, Rondo is a far better rebounder and is a better floor commander.
Did you even watch Chris Paul while he was in New Orleans, or now when he’s in L.A.? Paul is one of the best finishers at the rim, which you obviously haven’t noticed. Also, having “lanky arms” doesn’t make you a tenacious defender, having the heart and desire to shut down your man makes you a great defender. While Rondo is a better passer, Paul is no slouch in that category either. Also, did it ever occur to you that Boston is the worst rebounding team, hence why Rondo gets so many rebounds?
1) Having better reflexes makes you quicker at the basket, not the other way around as you said. 2) The reason that Rondo gets the amount of rebounds he does is because the Celtics’ big men are HORRIBLE rebounders. It’s pretty simple logic. 3) There’s a reason why Chris Paul is in the top 5 for the MVP race, because he’s the most important player on the Clippers team and he is able to consistently put them in a winning position, unlike Rondo.
Let’s dispel the stupid with basic statistics. Stockton was 40 when he retired, and averaging a decent but unexceptional 10.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, and 1.7 spg. Not bad, but compare that to when he was 26, and averaging 17.7 ppg, 13.6 apg, and 3.2 spg. Do you think Jordan was also “as effective as ever” at 40 because he averaged 20+ ppg? And Gary Payton was way past his prime; he went from being the best perimeter defense in the league to being schooled by Bibby. That’s an enormous drop-off.
Stocktons numbers dropped years earlier due to team mates lightening his burden. During that period is also when he went to the NBA finals. He was also playing far fewer mpg, but his per 36min numbers didn’t drop off as much. I wonder why… couldn’t be because his team added more depth and became more competitive now could it? That’s just stupid. Jordan is a different story as he was out of shape and his athleticism fading, which set him apart in his earlier career. Not so with Stockton.
You also have to realize that you’re getting a walking triple-double in Magic. Somebody who can score when needed, and yet is the most unselfish person probably in the history of basketball. He could rebound, defend–except for his later years, but yeah–, pass, and score. Stockton doesn’t have much of a case to me.
Magic was the best basketball player of all time. Yes he was better than Jordan. Magic could play all 5 positions on the court and played against superior competition. Jordan won all of his championships in the most watered down era of the NBA. If Magic along with just Kareem in the 90’s, would have won even more championships than they already have.
Take rose beef out of your mouth he will never be the same after the injury he not gonna be as explosive meaning Rondo right now is the best point guard he rarely shoots jumpers he is more about passing and finishing at the rim no body fakes out there defender as good as Rondo and distributes the ball at the same time
You know most of the basketball community disagrees with you right? Everybody knows the 80s was the most competitive era in basketball history. Yea, Kobe held his own against a 40 fucking year old Jordan. Fresh legs v. brink of retirement. Eyeball test? My eyeball test tells me that Magic won 5 rings against arguably the greatest dynasty ever(80s Celtics), bad boy pistons, and Dr. j and Moses Malone led 76ers. Lebron loses to a 38 yr old Kidd and 37 yr old dirk. what an athletic specimen.
The body size is similar to the SG/SF. Low post offense is the best way to attract the help defense and create the open space for his teammate. Can you imagine that the 6’0-6’4′ tall PG, need to defense MAGIC, who is the skillful, smart player and ability on passing. And on the court, his work is similar to swing man or the SF/PF. I think that MAGIC is not the best PG, as he is NOT a PG.
If you had the mental agility of a grapefruit you’d see that’s not the truth. It’s OK, I don’t expect much from you. Analysts constantly praise Ray Allen’s shooting form. The ball is centered between his left eye and right shoulder, he does the “phone booth” jump, his feet are perfectly paralleled, perfect follow through and all in a fluid motion. It’s as fundamental as one could get. Do you realize how stupid you look criticizing Ray Allen’s shooting form because he doesn’t lock his elbows?
I say you look at the ERA & STATS of the ALL-TIME GREAT POINT GUARDS. Take their 1st 6 seasons & tell me who has more points, rebounds, Assists and Steals! I believe The Big O might have the best stats but he was like a 2 Guard. Exclude Championships because Earvin was drafted to a team with 4 Hall of Famers, NBA Champions and perennial all NBA players. Nevertheless, I beleive the PT GD with better Stats than Curry in his first 6 seasons would have won 5 championships if he was drafted to the LAKERS. This PT GD had the toughest road to Championships and I know he had bettet STATS than Curry his first 6 seasons = THE TRUE GOAT OF playing PT Guard is ISIAH LORD THOMAS III. again his stats in Pts, Rbs, Asts & Steals are better than Steph Curry’s first 6 seasons & I know this for a FACT. What if he was drafted by The Lakers and Magic’s best player was Kelly Tripuka. Would Earvin have 5 Championships?
42 points as a rookie in the deciding game of the NBA finals…..i think your commentary is …..well, lacking. 42 points as a rookie in the deciding game of the NBA finals????????? dont u get it?? sorry bub….this feat has never been accomplished and never will be accomplished as long as u and i are alive. must be a knicks fan. even boston fans can acknowledge true basketball greatness. only a homer of immense proportions wouldnt have given Magic the credit he was deserved. shame on you
Chris Paul has no knees and his team is loaded.. Rondo plays with the oldest stars in the league and has knees… plus Rondo plays defense because he actually has knees and can deal with much more physical play than Paul can… Chris Paul is top 5 no doubt though… He shoots better and averages more points so I will give you that…
You hit it on the head. He will likely never be the best PG in the league because he is straight up stoppable on offense. He can pass it all day long but if his team mates aren’t knocking down shots and if the Celtics aren’t forcing turnovers and getting him easy looks and layups on the break then he really does not impact the game like say a Chris Paul or Derrick Rose who can isolate and score in a variety of ways.
You’re kidding right? Jordan was dominated in his early years by the pistons, who were regular competition for Magic and Bird. Magic’s finals competition was Dr. J, Bird, Jordan, Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Isiah Thomas, etc. Lebrons hardest finals competition was…dirk? Kobe is the only player in a dying breed of the true NBA players. Today’s NBA generation would get ran by the 80s and 90s.
You know kobe was dominated by jordan past his prime right? And you know magic defeated jordans bulls while jordan was younger right? Using that equation, magic quite easily could stand up to kobe or lebron. Your argument of “this generation is more athletic” has been ripped apart and refuted plenty of times before. Thats the oldest argument in the book. The best center in the league, Howard, dosent come close to comparing to abdul-jabbar, olajuwon, robert parish, etc.
magic’s career was cut short due to hiv, but he gets more points per game and more assists per game than stockton so who cares hahaha, oh how many times did stockton beat the bulls? because magic and the lakers did, how many mvps did stockton win… oh none, how many finals mvps did stockton win… oh none. Case close magic is the greatest pure point guard of all time, no one gets more assists per game
Jamal Wilkes follows through and when he brings the ball up, it’s just about in front of his head, whereas, Dr.J had the ball behind his head. Also, Reggie Miller and Chuck Hayes have ugly shooting form, it works for one, but doesn’t for the other and it’s because that shooting form doesn’t work for that person…
yes, why wouldn’t you? Magic didn’t get as many assists but made up for it by scoring. Scratch that, Magic gets a TON of assists, but he can also shoot, rebound, block shots,and steal. Stockton had pretty good defense and could fly to the ball, but Magic is in discussion as one of the best players of all time because he could do it all. At the end of the day look who was able to get some championships. It’s the sad truth.
Stockton may have averaged less assists per game, but, He also beat Magic’s all time assist record in 10 seasons with the first three coming off the bench. Also, keep in mind that Magic was much taller, and had an easier time than most PG’s of his day seeing over defenders and making passes that a player of Stock’s stature couldn’t. To me, they are tied for #1. An argument can be made for both as the GOAT PG. They both have strengths their strengths and weaknesses.
“Kobe would fuck Mike up prime to prime”. Good-Bye. You lost all validation from your previous posts. Some stats. Career FG%: Jordan .497/Kobe .453. Career PPG: Jordan 30.1/Kobe 25.4. Dont get me wrong i am a HUGE lakers fan. Kobe is my 2nd favorite player of all time(obviously magic is first). But to say kobe would destroy Jordan 1v1 is laughable.
In what game Lol?It never happened check the articles soon.All i see is kobe scoring 55 on Jordan.Kobe more than held his own against Jordan at age 18 son stop it.Refuted by who?That’s a matter of opinion.I simply go off the eyeball test.My eyeballs tell me that LeBron would fuck Larry Bird,Magic,Jordan and whoever else up.So would Kobe.There’s footage of 18 year old Kobe serving Mike and Holding his own out there up.I suggest you check it out.
magic didn’t change the game, Curry did … i follow the lakers since 82, Magic was not the #1 in the team, it was Kareem. Curry “is” the #1 player in his team magic passing was a copy of “Pistol Pete”. turnovers …..M>C Free trow %…..M C-0.1 Magic had a “super team”, comparing to Curry’s, let’s see….. kareem, worthy, green, cooper, and viron scot all in the hall of fame, now ……… how many hall of famers does Curry plays with ??? ….. Magic era is ‘DONE” take your sleeping pill old ppl, this is about stats and facts, not a popularity contest …. which Curry will win in this era Curry is the “POINT GUARD GOAT”