That's like when someone says, "You the man!" It's bad form to agree with him, even though (in my case, as well as Magic's) it is true. So you say, "No, you the man!"
Magic is just being nice to the guy who broke his record. Stockton couldn't touch Magic as a player. I happen to think a lot of other PGs were/are better in their prime as well (Zeke, GP, Nash, Kidd--to name a few, West and Robertson for sure if you consider them PGs), but I realize that is a debate after Magic and Stockton can be in the mix.
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For me it'll be: C PF Tim Duncan SF SG Michael Jordan PG No one else....... for C, SF, PG...since there are just too many great players at that position (although you could argue that the SF GOAT is Larry Bird)
There are many great PGs, not just Magic Johnson. Magic Johnson was a jack of all trades, but he certainly had rivals at the PG position. Get ur facts straight
Unless you consider Robertson or West PGs, there is no debate. Magic is unquestionably the best PG from the 80s on, a whole level caliber of player better than Isiah, Stockton, Payton, Kidd, Nash, each of whom you could argue for #2.
I'm afraid positions 1,2,3 are pretty much set in stone. There's no justifying Stockton over Magic. Whether it be stats, skills, size, championships, personality, whatever, it's all Magic. Sure Stockton has him beat in the one AST category. But Magic's got everything else on him-- PTS, 3PT, REB, STLS, BLKS. If this were fantasy hoops Magic would be #1 and Stockton would be ranked in the 50s. So it's the 2 MJ's and Bird, by a longshot (pun intended). Position 5 is a battle between the big 5 -- Wilt,Kareem, Russell,Shaq, Hakeem, ranked in that order. No one else is close to these guys. Position 4 is the only true tossup. I'm sticking with my original and oh so popular pick of Karl Malone, but I think when it's all done, Duncan and/or KG may surpass him.
Really excellent analysis if you stick to formal positions, I could only have minor quibbles, I think you have the big picture down.
BPE. Best Player Ever. That good enough an explanation for you? Can someone make a poll or something??
Based on the fact that I never saw Wilt, Russell, Oscar, West, Cousey, Havlicek, etc. play other than in replays, I'd have to say... C - Moses Malone (the best rebounder without a doubt I've ever seen including Rodman) PF - Dream SF- Bird SG- Jordan PG - Magic ...but again that is based on players I've actually seen play, so take it with a grain of salt.
I agree with the previous poster, no one ever saw Wilt or Russell play in person--anyone who says they did is most likely lying. So, the list should start with the Magic/Bird era. The 1970's don't count--the Dark Ages of the NBA. I believe this team would work the best together: C Shaq/Olajuwon PF Duncan/Webber SF Pippen/Garnett SG Jordan/Kobe PG Magic/Stockton Larry Bird was my favorite player growing up, but let's face it--he'd be too slow to play defensively at SF in this age, and not strong enough to play PF. I'd rather have Pippen or Garnett manning the 3 spot.
All time..... Dream Duncan Bird Jordan Magic Old Era.... Dream Barkley Bird Jordan Magic Next Era...... Shaq Duncan Garnett Kobe Kidd New Era....... Yao Stoudamire Lebron Melo Wade 10 yrs from now ALL TIME.... Dream Duncan Lebron Jordan Magic
What? Is that British comedy or something? I don't get it. Give me Japanese or Mexican game shows, that I can laugh at.
My first 5 would be: C Wilt PF Dream SF Bird SG O. Robertson (he average a triple-double in the 61-62 season ) PG Magic
