He's not even better than Kobe
Why isnt Magic mentioned as the pure Goat NBA Player?
- Thread starter Rocket Scientist
- Start date
Ben.
Heisenbrook
The GOAT Laker 
Magic doesn't even consider himself the best player ever. Moreover, he benefited from playing with Kareem (already a champion and MVP winner) and Big Games James Worthy since the beginning of his career. Certainly Magic helped both players and was a phenomenal player in his own right BUT it's very difficult to measure how much of the Lakers' success in the 80s was because of him and not his teammates. Again, Magic for sure was that dude and he extended Kareem's career. But Magic truly benefited from being in the perfect scenario.
With that said, anybody who doesn't have Magic in their top 5 is a fool. He's the goat PG.
With that said, anybody who doesn't have Magic in their top 5 is a fool. He's the goat PG.
The thing that always separated him from the other greatest players (them being considered higher; Jordan, Kareem, Russell etc) was his defense. He was best suited as a help defender (hence his high SPG) and would've been helped greatly by guarding players closer to his size/athleticism but he was usually stuck guarding point guards. It's a big reason why Kevin Johnson was able to have such big playoff series against L.A. in the early 1990s. I think Run TMC also gave them a little trouble just because Tim Bug was the worst player for Magic to guard. If Magic played today they'd utilize him as a point forward and he'd be okay among bigger forwards.
Regardless he's a top-5 player (imo but I've seen him generally around 4-6) but his lack of defensive prowess in comparison to others wouldn't make him the very greatest to some people. Still, the feel for the game and his ability to lead an elite offense no matter what style they were (LA became a more half court oriented team after about '88 or so) hasn't really been matched. Also being unstoppable in transition and having a great post game helps too. Nothing offensively by about 1989 that Magic could not do. His extended prime is so underrated.
But to answer your question I'd say defense is his biggest flaw as an overall player, which keeps him from achieving GOAT status for a lot of people.
Regardless he's a top-5 player (imo but I've seen him generally around 4-6) but his lack of defensive prowess in comparison to others wouldn't make him the very greatest to some people. Still, the feel for the game and his ability to lead an elite offense no matter what style they were (LA became a more half court oriented team after about '88 or so) hasn't really been matched. Also being unstoppable in transition and having a great post game helps too. Nothing offensively by about 1989 that Magic could not do. His extended prime is so underrated.
But to answer your question I'd say defense is his biggest flaw as an overall player, which keeps him from achieving GOAT status for a lot of people.
1. Jordan
2. Kareem
3. Magic
4. Larry
5. Wilt
not bad being top 3 if your magic
2. Kareem
3. Magic
4. Larry
5. Wilt
not bad being top 3 if your magic
ajnapoleon
Veteran
I love magic but like it was said he was in the right situation the perfect situation if he went to the bulls like he could have he would not be the magic we know today. That bulls team had no talent and he would have to carry that whole team with points rebounds and running the offense and the coach was a no name i dont believe he would be able to that and have success like he did.
Tony D'Amato
It's all about the inches
Magic never won without Kareem just like Mike never winning without Pippen.
This is trueMagic doesnt even considered himself as the GOAT
Ive always wondered why dude is so humble on THAT subject. And it;s not like he's a humble dude either
fifth column
Superstar
fifth column
Superstar
Magic is the goat pg
I'll just piggyback on what's already been said. He never had a trash roster around him. There were always quite a few really good players on his team. Not that he wasn't the centerpiece and made everything go, but Magic never had a starting lineup with bums like Kwame Brown or Dave Corzine in it. 
MooseMouthMthafuga
Veteran
Growing up in Cali, Magic was my first introduction to basketball.Thanks to him, I had an example of what it meant to truly love/have a passion for the game.
I'm a Suns fan now, but I'm Magic Johnson born
He's the foundation of my basketball consciousness.Favorite player of all time.It'll never change
I'm a Suns fan now, but I'm Magic Johnson born
He's the foundation of my basketball consciousness.Favorite player of all time.It'll never change