2006-12-29 07:01:52 · 16 answers · asked by William Stocks 2 in Sports ➔ Basketball
Man,
that's like saying do you like steak or lobster better. They were both top 50 all timers.
It's a matter of personal taste and what you like in a player.
Bird got every ounce of talent he had is his body and used it on the floor. He was never a particularly good defender but he was a completely cold blooded shooter in crunch time and he could stare down a grizzly bear. Great passer. Champion all the way.
Magic redefined the point guard position. Score, distribute, flash, style, attitude, he was the more versatile player, he was exactly like his name, Magic.
They were both HUGE big game players.
The best of their era leading up to Michael Jordan.
2006-12-29 07:08:23 · answer #1 · answered by JC 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Magic Johnson was the better all around player and he did win a championship his rookie year when Kareem was hurt. Also Magic made his whole team a ton better but the problem with comparing the 2 is the position and the expectations in both positions. Bird was an incredible shooter. I remember him making shots I have never seen anyone else make. Bird was by far the better shooter. So who is the better player. (Notice I did not put a question mark!) I would rank Magic somewhere close right behind Michael Jordan. Have people already forgotten how great Magic was? Birds main weakness was his defence. Birds shooting could kill any team any day but Larry Bird was not a great defender by any means.
In todays game you would definately want Magic on your team over Larry Bird. In yesterdays game I would say the same even though the game was far more offensive based back then. You do not vote on players being the best based on Celtic Pride or if Jack Nicolson buys your season tickets. C'mon people! Get with the facts! Magic was the better player but Bird was nothing short of one of the best ever. Magic may have been the second greatest player who ever played and had Jordan not made the comeback to win 3 more championships I would probably vote different and put Magic ahead.
2006-12-29 20:08:20 · answer #2 · answered by Led Zeppelin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bird & Magic faced each other 4 times for championships (including college) and Bird's team only once in 1984 when The Celtics beat the Lakers. And Magic Johnson should have been a Junior in college but went to the Pro's, beat the 76ers, scored 42 pts., played all 3 positions and won the MVP of the NBA Championship.
Bird can't say any of that and neither can Michael Jordan.
2006-12-29 15:13:34 · answer #3 · answered by K-E-G 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Personally, I'd say Bird because I am a Celtics fan. BUT, I bet if you asked Bird, he'd say Magic was better, and if you asked Magic, he'd say Bird was better. In any case, they are two of the top 50 players of all time and will remain in the top 50 for all time.
2006-12-29 16:33:30 · answer #4 · answered by candl91402 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not to be racist, but like the previous person said it depends on if your white or black for the most part. I think magic because he was the better all around player. He was just more dominating. In his rookie season, in the NBA finals, with scored 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assist. While playing every position on the floor with kareem not playing. To me he gets the nod because of that.
2006-12-31 02:00:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bird
2006-12-29 15:11:27 · answer #6 · answered by bob123 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Bird was dominate of a player...he could simply take over. But Magic made the Lakers the best TEAM they could be. I would give a very slight edge to Bird.
2006-12-29 15:03:58 · answer #7 · answered by Boilerfan 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Magic!
2006-12-29 17:57:01 · answer #8 · answered by PearApple 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Really Magic is better but both of them are good.
2006-12-29 15:05:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Magic, all things considered.
2006-12-29 15:04:35 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋