Who was the better point guard, Magic or the Big O?

Question

Anyone younger than 50 will say Magic. However, Oscar Robertson AVERAGED a triple double one season. He wasn't flamboyant and didn't talk smack. He was just an awesome player on lousy teams.

By the way, Oscar was built like a Chauncey Billips or Baron Davis -- real thick upper body.

Excellent analysis, everyone. I appreciate the time that most everyone took to discuss this important distinction!

Answer 1

I would have to say Magic was better, but not by much at all. He could do everything Oscar could do but in the modern era. Plus he was possible the second greatest winner next to Russell. He lead the Lakers to 9 NBA Finals appearances and won 5 titles in 12 seasons. That makes him better. What I want to do though is debunk the greatestness of the triple double average, because it's way overrated. The circumstances in which he averaged those numbers were misleading. With the exception of his assists, Oscar's numbers were extremely inflated. Robertson played in an era where the pace was so fast that you could blow up your stats rather easily. Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Grant Hill, Lebron James, and Magic Johnson would all average a triple double, provided the same circumstances.

Most of the teams in the 50's and 60's shot the ball alot, like 200-250 times combined, for low percentages. Teams back then averaged anywhere from 60 to 70 rebounds a game. That means combined both teams missed around 120 to 150 shots a game. They had many more rebound opportunties missing shots at that rate. It's a slower more controlled pace teams play at now. Today teams only take around 160 shots, miss around 70 to 90 shots a game combined, and averaged 40-45 rebounds. That's why you don't have these 20-25 rebound a game guys like Wilt and Russell anymore either.

So let's say Oscar's teams averaged 65 rebounds a game and he grabbed 11 of them. That's right at 17%. If you translate that to today's game he'd average around 7 or 8 rebounds a game, like Jason Kidd. Kidd and Magic would average double firgure rebounds in Robertson's era rate and Payton would be really close.

Scoring would be different also. Robertson averaged 30 points per game in an 8 team league that averaged around 116 points a game. Today the league average is around 98 points per game. Robertson who scored at a 26% rate would average around 25 points per game today. Payton and Magic could average 30 points as well at Oscar's rate. Kidd probably wouldn't because he's a low percentage shooter. Lebron and Kobe at that rate would average around 40 points a game.

So in conclusion if Oscar played in the NBA today you could say he'd averaged around his career averages of 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assist. He's still the second greatest point guard ever, but let's tone down the triple double stat. Remember, under the same circumstances, many players could have averaged a triple double.

Answer 2

Magic Johnson. Just check the records, especially the winning ways of the Lakers during his time.

People talk about Oscar's triple-doubles, but Magic also got a lot of them and could also have averaged a triple double for a season if he didn't have an array of big teammates like Kareerm, AC Green, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo, Mitch Kupchack, Mychal Thompson, Kurt Rambis, etc to help on the boards throughouit his career.

Oscar had nobody but himself on those 60's Cincinnati teams. And he was more of a combination point-shooting guard. He had a zillion assists but he was still the shoot-first pass-later type of guard. Plus he didn't run the fastbreak, everything was half-court offense for him.

Magic on the other hand was a PURE point guard. He was the only player (aside from Dennis Rodman) who could so dominate a game without even taking more than 6 shots. While Oscar had to score at least 20 to have a good game.

Answer 3

I'm 24. I'd say both sorry. Big O averaged triple doubles because his team demanded it from him. Milwaukee just needs him to be that, THEIR leader. Same with Magic his play during those champion years with the Lakers were superb but that was AGAIN what he needed to do. Great guys do what they have to do to win even if it needs sacrificing some of their stats or doing more than they could beacuse that is what is expected of them and that is what makes them great.

Answer 4

truthfully the enormous O. Magic became a poon hound who became fortunate to play with not something yet stellar all celeb gamers. Magic fairly became extra flash and sweetness than he became substance. I additionally won't be able to admire any fool who has unprotected intercourse with six. . definite (6) skanky hoochie mamma basketball groupies on an identical time! you're an fool magic. . . . John stockton became a crybaby wimp who have been given away with homicide. . . an incredible participant yet a crybaby participant none the fewer. . . additionally a grimy participant who enjoyed to step below different gamers legs whilst they have been in the air. . . . he became purely like an annoying grimy Duke participant. the enormous O became the better of the bunch. . . extra perfect team participant. . . extra perfect defender. . . .and a extra perfect guy or woman off the court!

Answer 5

Big O is awesome, but as you said, he played on a lot of lousy teams, partly why he averaged a triple double once. I'd say magic is the better pg because of how he generally made evrybody around him better.

Answer 6

People forget that Oscar was dominant both in scoring and passing....Magic was a dominant passer who could score, but Oscar was equally effective scoring and passing the rock and as mentioned averaging a triple double...that's unheard of in today's NBA

Answer 7

R U F### Kidding me???? How can U People Say Magic Is Better Then Oscar? Think Again.....

Answer 8

I wasn't born around big O's time but even NBA historians would say Magic was better. Who led their team to championship in their rookie season playing all positions and was NBA Finals MVP? Magic! More rings ,MVP's, all star games, and olympic gold medals came after that too!

Answer 9

Magic because he could play all positions on the floor as he showed when he was 20 yrs old and started at center and won the NBA title.

Answer 10

He Big O was Magic before Magic and and all the guards that follow..........