Who will go down as the better player, Magic Johnson or Lebron James?

Question

Lebron brings more to the table as far as athleticism, Lebron also brings more to the table as far as scoring, but will Lebron pass the legend that is Magic Johnson when we compare their legacies upon Lebron's retirement?


This is a hard one for me, a real hard one, I dont think Lebron will be able to have the type of complete career that Magic had. So I have to say No to my own question. I dont think that Lebron will pass guys like Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson.

So media freaks, (espn), quit bringing up Jordan!

Answer 1

Magic will go down has the better.

Answer 2

What up The Answer, i think in basketball offense always has an edge over defense, and so that would give an edge to Kobe and LBJ. However, there is a sense where you are really taking away from Magic's strength as a passer since he doesn't have mutiple options. He's under-rated as a scorer- but definitely not the same type of scorer as Lebron, and Kobe and MJ will be fairly even. It would be interesting to watch... but honestly 2 on 2 and 5 on 5 are different and just because Kobe and LeBron can beat most people at 2 on 2- it doesn't necessarily make them greater than every 2 on 2 combo they can beat. At the end of the day all 4 of these guys are hall-of-famers. Nickster

Answer 3

Come on now! Magic vs Lebron as the better player....this is no question! Magic is the better player hands down. Magic could play and has played every position in the game during the regular season and post season. Now not to take anything away from Lebron. But this series compares to 1991 Lakers vs Bulls when the Lakers only had Magic and lost.

Answer 4

Magic will go down as a better player than LeBron.

I actually thought that Magic would revolutionize the game of basketball being a 6' 9" point guard with his size at point, which has never happened, and his attitude as a playmaker which was to bring out the best in all of his teammates when Magic was out on the court as Magic preferred that his teammates score saving himself for the last option unless it was crunch time and the game winning shot had to be taken, then, Magic would take charge and sink the game winner. Magic in his prime was a leader and did whatever needed to be done to win a game preferring that his teammates do the scoring making Magic a great "assist" man and a great passer. But if scoring needed to be done, then Magic would score. If rebounding needed to be done, then Magic would rebound. If playing defense needed to be done, then Magic would play defense and go and get the steal. If a starter was injured then Magic would play any position including center. As a 20 year old rookie, Lakers Center Kareem Abdul Jabbar got hurt in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Lakers up 3 games to 2. For Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Magic started at center as Kareem was injured and did not play that game. In that Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals, Magic jumped center and while playing center scored 42 points and hauled down 15 rebounds for the Lakers to win Game 6 and to win the NBA finals with Magic being the first rookie ever to be named NBA Finals MVP. As a point guard, Magic led his teammates, not as a scorer but as an assist man with his philosophy of getting the best out of his teammates.

As the NBA.com site describes Magic of the NBA's 1980s, and still to this date the tallest regular starting NBA point guard ever at 6' 9" tall, as the following: "He was what Bob Cousy was to the 1950s, what Oscar Robertson was to the 1960s, what Julius Erving was to the 1970s."

Magic led by getting his teammates the ball to make his teammates score and feel involved in the game and doing whatever was necessary to win even if it meant going from starting point guard to starting center for the Lakers in a NBA Finals.

LeBron comments to the media that he leads by telling his teammates to get him, LeBron, to the fourth quarter, and, then, he, LeBron, will takeover from there.

So, there is a tremendous difference in both the basketball philosophy and leadership philosophy and the versatility between Magic and LeBron.

A 20 year old Magic Johnson was a starter in a NBA All Star game, and a 20 year old Magic Johnson closed out a NBA Finals series playing center with 42 points and 15 rebounds.

There already was a big difference between that 20 year old NBA All Star game starter Magic Johnson and that 20 year old NBA Finals MVP Magic Johnson and the 22 year old LeBron James.

Answer 5

I do think Lebron will have the better career numbers overall I see this kid playing for 22 years so he will end up with the numbers but as far as talking about the champion that Magic was and the way he transcended the game I don't think so

Answer 6

LeBron is a good player, no doubt, but I don't think he has yet reached the status of Magic Johnson. Give him time, though. He's still young and his career is just beginning.

Answer 7

Lebron is only 22 years old! He will have a hell of a career before he's done. I think even MJ throne might be in jeopardy.
Lebron might go down as one of the best so yes i think he'll go down as a better player then Magic Johnson.

Answer 8

MAGIC
duh
james doesnt average as many rebounds, or assists
he cant play every position like magic could
magic > lebron

Answer 9

he will never be a jordan or even a johnson. those are best players ever. i even think he wont surpass a big o.

these players changed the game when they came into the league.

he'll be one of the top players to ever play the game or the best high schooler that came into the league. hopefully the cavs dont do a garnett on him and never surround him with talent.

Answer 10

At this stage of his career, Labron isn't up to Magic, but he has years to go and to mature. He may well outshine Magic.

I'm glad you mentioned Oscar Robertson, but you did leave out Michael Jordan.