M.J.=6 rings Magic=5. If it werent for the Larry Bird led Celtics Magic would have 7 rings not 5. Who was the best team M.J. beat? the bulls beat a lot of spares and losers no one will remember. But Lakers-Celtics? Now that was basketball!
2006-07-24 18:42:12 · 13 answers · asked by Mr.Obvious 2 in Sports ➔ Basketball
Oh yeah Magic has played all 5 positions
2006-07-24 18:43:11 · update #1
Anyone who says Jordan is better than Magic obviously knows nothing about NBA basketball. Or, they get their knowledge from the Sportscenter highlights.
Magic Johnson was so much better than Jordan, its not even really close. As a matter of fact, Magic was one of the five greatest players to ever play. Michael Jordan would barely make the top ten.
At 6'8", Magic revolutionized the point guard position. He was vitually unstoppable in the open floor due to his size, court awareness, and passing ability. He could have scored many, many more points, but it wasn't required of him till later in his career.
His competative spirit, and will to win was unique, and he made all those around him a much better player. He could do anything on the court, and he played at a time when the competition was never greater.
Michael Jordan was a great scorer, period. As far as him dominating the league as some posters on here have stated, that was long after Magic and Bird were gone, and the league expanded, thereby diluting the overall talent of teams. Jordan's Bulls never won 60 games until his 7th year in the league (also his first championship). Magic's Lakers won 60 and also a championship in his rookie season, not to mention a memorable game 6 in which he had a triple/double while playing center, forward, and guard! Lets see Jordan do that!! But, of course that game was on tape delay, so it never got the appreciation that Jordan's games got.
Michael Jordan came along at just the right time, with 24 hour sports channels, David Stern's promotion of the league(slam dunk contests, fancy introductions, etc...), and all the endorsement contracts. He was a great player, but more hype than substance. Overall, he was not up there with Magic, Bird or Oscar, not to mention the great centers.
If you ask any of the great stars who played the same time as both of them, almost all of them would pick Magic Johnson.
2006-07-25 17:47:29 · answer #1 · answered by Hoopfan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To answer firstly on the team rivalry. When the Pistons or Celtics played the Lakers, they played against all of them. When they played the Bulls, all eyes, arms and bodies were on 23. Magic said himself that there were two players that excited you on the ground, Larry and himself. And then along came a player that excited you in the air. Chuck Daly said in the late 80's that Jordan was so good that he was literally embarrasing the league. Magic was great, definitely in the Top 5 of all time, but there will never be any player that compares to Mike. Not even LeBron, Kobe or D-Wade. No one controlled games the way Mike did, nobody demanded the attention and nobody was more reliable down the track than MJ.
2006-07-25 09:37:31 · answer #2 · answered by Damien R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As much as I dislike Jordan, I'm going to say Jordan. The Lakers did beat better teams, but the Lakers were loaded. Jordan had Pippen and parts. Magic had Kareem, Worthy, and even better parts.
2006-07-25 01:53:47 · answer #3 · answered by 13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Lakers might have had better teams but the ? was Mike or Magic, and even though Magic was a great player MJ was even better.
2006-07-25 03:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by Rey817 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jordan was the greatest at shooting guard and Magic was tied for 1st with Oscar as a point guard. However, Magic says Jordan is the greatest.
2006-07-27 20:56:26 · answer #5 · answered by smitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it doesn't matter who MJ played it is how he played. when he played people watched in awe. every night MJ would put on a performance that could not be matched by others. countless buzzard beaters, high flying dunks, last second steals. that is what made MJ great he found a way when there seemed no way. yeah Magic had better rivalry but he was no MJ. when MJ came to town the game was over.
2006-07-25 05:28:43 · answer #6 · answered by moses t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Magic was the best. He was 6'9" 245( similiar to LeBron's size) and played like a small guy. He avg. 11.2 asst. He could rebound with the best of them and score at will. Jordan was a beast, but Magic doesn't get te credit he deserves.
2006-07-25 14:46:31 · answer #7 · answered by Jonah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
even the great magic johnson had this to say about michael "there is michael jordan and there is the rest of us" ... although magic is a really, really great player ... it's just that MJ is definitely the greatest!
2006-07-25 04:05:10 · answer #8 · answered by bordz8n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magic def I have always liked Magic Johnson!!!!!!!
2006-07-25 01:45:50 · answer #9 · answered by mochagirl75 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jordan he did unreal things
2006-07-25 10:50:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋