The reason I ask this questions is because since both of there retirements you see many players that are similar to Jordan (Kobe, Mcgrady, and Lebron) high flying flashy scores. I sti have not seen a a similar players of Magic's calibur ( 6'9 guard that can play all positions)
Really who was the better player?
2007-09-25 09:59:21 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Basketball
Magic vs Jordan.......................
Magic - Strengths: Unmatched size in a guard. He could see over a defense and post up a guard, creating a match-up nightmare. Probably the best, if not most exciting, point guard on the fast break. He can play a variety of roles. He was a supporting player to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when he joined the team, and later became the focal point of the offense. He could play fast break and he could play slow-down, as he proved in 1991. He played every position as a rookie in the deciding game 6 of the finals and put up a game for the ages, winning the title without Jabbar.
Weaknesses: He never was the shooter and scorer that Bird was. He developed a respectable shot from the perimeter, but never the deadly jumper of Bird. His poor decisions off the court shortened his career, which ultimately hurt his team. He was a good, but not dominating defensive player.
Jordan - Strengths: Dominating scorer. He could attack the basket, pull up for the mid-range jump shot, or post up with a fade away. Legendary clutch plays in the age of prime time televised game were etched in cement. Before his 1993 retirement, he was probably the best defensive guard at roaming the passing lanes and one of the two best on-the-ball defenders at the guard position (I prefer Joe Dumars, but Jordan is at his level). He drew lots of defensive attention and had the ability to hit the open man.
Weaknesses: He couldn't play with drive-and-dish point guards, which are on about 95% of the teams. He was too turnover-prone and selfish to play the point guard (according to two of his coaches). He couldn't turn the Bulls and Wizards around like others on this list turned their teams around. When he retired, his impact was less than than the others on this list. Even in college, his team only met their expectations when he played a supporting role. He was extremely selfish - fighting with coaches about his scoring role and teammates who believed his points were more important to him than titles. He never proved his teams could be a big winner without the triangle offense, showing a limited ability to blend his game with different players and systems. If he plays on a team full of scorers, and he HAS to be leading scorer, how is that going to help his team win?
I'll take Magic anyday!!!!!.....he went to 9 NBA Finals in 12 years winning 5!..in the greatest era of basketball....he was more VALUABLE to his teamthen Jordan!..it's a fact..jordan retires and the Bulls are still contenders..they replaced him with a CBA player (pete Myers) and still were a great team!...
Magic is a more valuable player to a team...therefor he is better!
2007-09-25 11:20:21 · answer #1 · answered by Alpha Wolf(Bringer of Rain) 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
That's tough man. They are damn near eqaul as far as overall impact on the game.
Jordan has 6 NBA titles, Magic has 5, but Magic took the Lakers to the NBA Finals a total of 9 times! So as far as being great leaders, and winners, I'd have to say it's a tie.
Individually, as far as statistics go, on the offensive end they had an eqaul impact on the court as well. Jordan averaged over 30 points a game, but Magic averaged 19 points and set other players up for 11 baskets every single game! If you count all the points they are responsible for (FG's and assist) they both contribute around 40 points a game! Tie there too!
I'd have to give the edge to Michael being the better overall player though. Like I said they are eqaully great winners and both offensive juggernauts, but Jordan gets the edge because he was better defensively. Jordan is probably the best help defender at the guard position ever! For a good stretch of 3 or 4 years Jordan averaged almost 3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Magic wasn't an awful defender, Jordan was just much more active.
Also, I agree that are lot more players today that immulate Jordan rather than Magic. Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Carter, etc. all have a similar game to MJ, in that they play shooting/small forward and put up numbers similar to Jordan (25/30 points, 5 rebs, 5 ast).
They only players I can think of that immulate Magic are, Jason Kidd and a younger Penny Hardaway.
2007-09-25 11:14:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God I hate this question!!! LOL Magic Johnson always has been, and always will be my favorite player. I'd have to say Jordan because of his athletic and scoring ability, and his solid defense. But Magic shared a lot in common with Jordan. He had that killer instinct; he could score, albeit not as well, but when he had to, he could put that ball in the hole; he was obviously a better passer, though Jordan had very good passing skills; Johnson's defense wasn't half bad...he led the league in steals two years in a row. Magic was the one of the greatest of all time, and during the 1980's, for overall games....he and Bird were king. Jordan gets the nod. Jordan also earned one more championship, but that was just a bit inflated. He never faced a solid Laker or Celtic team in his, or the Bulls prime.
2016-05-18 03:26:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They both were great in their different ways...so it's hard to compare the 2. You probably won't see a guy trying to be like Magic....let's face it, high flying scores and dunks make more headlines and highlights than a sweet no-look pass on a fast break. Here's my answer:
In terms of all-around athletic ability, it's Michael Jordan...hands down. Magic could play all of the positions, but Jordan was the most dominant guy on the floor whenever he suited up. Once he got comfortable with his outside jump shot...there wasn't a spot on the floor that he couldn't score from.
But when it comes to team leadership, I give the nod to Magic (just think about how well he had the Lakers playing during the seasons following "Showtime"). Jordan wasn't the complete team leader until the Bulls started their championship runs. Magic was the guy that always got his teammates involved from the very beginning. Now, most people might say Jordan didn't have the supporting cast, but he lost 2 consecutive Eastern Conference Finals with the same team (minus 1 or 2 guys) that ran the 1st 3-peat.
2007-09-25 13:51:36 · answer #4 · answered by peace_walker_8 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before Jordan came back and won 3 more championships I think this was a question. I don't think I need to ask this question anymore. I liked both their games. Magic was incredible. I watched both of them for many years. I would pick Jordan for the reason I already mentioned. Magic had a better team but Jordan was a better player no doubt. I am not saying by a landslide. I would rank Magic right behind Jordan and Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Don't underestimate Kareem) as greatest ever.
2007-09-26 09:42:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Michael Jordan
2007-09-25 10:03:53 · answer #6 · answered by CB4 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Magic was a one of a kind player, that took what Oscar Robertson did (big point guard) and took it to a level that hasn't been seen since.
Jordan set the new standard for the 2 guard that Kobe and LeBron used to pattern their games after.
Magic played EVERY position on the floor in game 6 of the 1980 finals on his way to a 42,15, and 7 night to clinch the 1st of 5 championships, he was a true point guard and a leader of leaders (dream team 1). To date we haven't seen anyone approach his total game because he was so unique. Jordan was the best 2 guard ever, best dunker ever (arguable), and maybe the best player ever but clones abound. Magic was the best point guard ever and gets my vote over Jordan as the better player because no one has ever had his blend of talents and desire.
Magic
2007-09-26 08:41:46 · answer #7 · answered by seattleslew251 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
MJ,23, Michael Jordans
2007-09-25 10:41:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Michael Jordan hands down..
Even Magic himself agrees to this assessment. "There's Michael Jordan and there's the rest of us." - Magic Johnson
2007-09-25 15:44:02 · answer #9 · answered by John Ferick C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all Lebron is closer to Magic than to Jordan... secondly the reason you see so many players today with the same game as MJ is because they grew up emulating him... Jordan was a World Wide Hero in his hay day.
They were both Incredible players most will go to Jordan as the greatest of all time and its hard to argue that.
2007-09-25 10:03:53 · answer #10 · answered by Rick S 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋