2007-06-23 10:16:29 · 26 answers · asked by erjs11 2 in Sports ➔ Basketball
Michael Jordan was the better scorer, although Magic was never asked to score until later in his career. And when he was, he was able to put up very respectable numbers.
Magic was a better rebounder, although Jordan was pretty good for a 2 guard. Magic had the ability to crash the boards and then bring it down on the fast break.
Magic was a much better passer. That's not even close. Pass was a "four letter word" for Jordan. He would try to shoot through double and triple teams before passing to an open teammate.
Magic was able to elevate the level of his teammates, unlike Jordan, who was more interested in padding his own stats than involving his teammates.
And Magic made more of an impact on the Lakers than Jordan did with the Bulls. Thanks to Magic's championship heroics, the Lakers won the championship in Magic's rookie year. Jordan couldn't even break the .500 mark until his 4th season.
1979 Lakers (yr. before Magic)- 47 wins
1980 Lakers (rookie Magic)- 60 wins & championship
1984 Bulls (yr before Jordan)- 27 wins
1985 Bulls ( rookie Jordan)- 38 wins, eliminated in 1st round
And look what happened when Magic and Jordan retired:
1991 Lakers (with Magic)- 58 wins, lost in finals
1992 Lakers (no Magic)- 43 wins, lost in 1st round despite still having Worthy, Byron Scott, Divac, Perkins, and AC Green
1993 Bulls (with Jordan)- 57 wins, championship
1994 Bulls (no Jordan) - 55 wins, lost in 2nd round
As you can see, Magic meant much more to his team's success than Jordan did. The Bulls hardly missed a beat without Jordan.
That being said, other than scoring, Magic was the better all-around player and leader.
2007-06-23 11:35:12 · answer #1 · answered by Hoopfan 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Michael Jordan
2007-06-23 10:25:05 · answer #2 · answered by football chick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as individual performance, you have to go with Michael Jordan because he can singlehandedly take over a game and win it for the Bulls. Sure, he had a good sidekick in Pippen but when the Bulls need someone to turn to in clutch situation, nobody delivers as well as Michael. He was the best player on the court during his glory days.
In terms of the best team player performance, you got to go with Magic Johnson because of the way he orchestrates an offense is like symphony where everyone is playing together on the right note and he is the constructor. Magic can help a team win games without scoring a single point. It's the intangible things he does that makes him great and gives him the title Magic.
2007-06-23 11:24:26 · answer #3 · answered by JR 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As much as I respect Magic Johnson's game, Michael Jordan is better than him.
Michael Jordan is the best!! He changed basketball positively. I agree that Bird and Magic changed basketball, too. But, individually, statistically, and as a team player, Jordan was better. People who know, as well as those who don't would say that Jordan was better.
2007-06-23 10:56:38 · answer #4 · answered by sum1 w/ @n @nsw3r 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say Magic, because I would rather have a teammate who would pass the ball around. Michael Jordan was all about Michael Jordan when he came in the league. Magic was always known for being an unselfish player.
2007-06-23 10:33:52 · answer #5 · answered by D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Michael Jordan was the greatest player of all-time. There's no if's, and's, or but's. He has the rings and even when he came back with the Washington Wizards, he was still one of the top players in the league at the age of like 42.
2007-06-23 10:29:47 · answer #6 · answered by will4144 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jordan!
2007-06-23 10:19:08 · answer #7 · answered by Sam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's a tie. Both players made everyone around them better, showed up in the clutch, achieved success at the college, professional, and international level, and dominated the rest of the league for an entire decade.
For the guy that's posting stats of how Jordan scored more points, you're wasting your time because they played completely different styles so their statistics will never compare.
2007-06-24 03:03:58 · answer #8 · answered by mattevans111490 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Magic, he played in the era where basketball team
were better, Jordan played against portlands,
utahs in the finals. They had a hard time getting
thru the CAVS at first, and then Detroit. Lakers
were good all the way thru with Magic.
2007-06-23 10:44:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Magic Johnson has a cure for AIDS... so clearly he is the best basketball player ever.
Plus he is still under contract to the Lakers. Seriously... he signed a 25 year deal with them. Longest contract in American sports history.
2007-06-23 10:26:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋