I'm sorry, how many all-nba defense 1st teams was he on? Do people only watch what stars do on offense?
He may have not been an all world defensive player but the type of stuff he could do on the court with his size was absurd. I don't think he was the best player in NBA history but he certainly is better than kobe bryant.
I'm not refuting that he's the best Laker ever (and wouldn't be an argument if his career wasn't cut short with HIV). The poster I'm responding to said he was the best EVER. I'm refuting that.
A. How many all defensive first teams was Shane Battier on? B. Exhibit A= Tracy McGrady... :grin: Magic could guard 5 positions effectively. 5... How many players can legitmately say that? Great defender, great player. I don't know about best of all time, but there is ABSOLUTELY a debate to be made...
If it weren't for Magic, Kareem would have won only one ring, and that was with Oscar Robertson. People forget how bad Kareem was in the playoffs in the '70s. It is the whole reason the Airplane movie had that scene with little Joey saying, "You're Kareem Abdul Jabbar...My dad thinks you don't work hard enough" or sumpin...and Kareem says, "I've been hearing that crap ever since I was at UCLA. I'm out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes. " Basketball Fact: that movie was mad before Magic was a Laker. Kareem only would have won 1 ring without Magic...that's another fact.
If I had to build a team and had to choose between a young Magic and young Jordan, I would pick Magic. Magic made everyone around him better. He averaged 11 assists for his career and had seasons where he average 13 assists. He was a pass first player that still averaged 20+ points a game, could play every position at a high level, and made the 80's NBA more enjoyable to watch than any other other era.
Jordan is the greatest player of all time but I would still start a franchise as Magic as my number 1 pick.
