I voted for Magic because he embodied the great Lakers teams of the 80's and did so mouch for the team as well as the game itself. However, I think when it is all said and done Kobe will be the better player.
Magic made all of his teammates better. He took and made the big shots. He ran the fast break like nobody business. Lebron could learn a few tricks from Magic. No contest here. Kobe is one of the best scorers ever, but he does not make his teammates better.
Kobe does make some of his teammates better. But Magic is in another class. He could make any player look like they had game. And half of them didn't. My top 5 all time: Magic Michael Larry Hakeem Duncan
Kobe is an interesting study when looking at basketball history. Can you say he revolutionized the game the way Wilt or Dr J. or MJ did? No. Can you say he expanded the possibilities of his position like Magic or Dream? No. Kobe's an incredibly skilled player but he is more a refinement of what has come previously. There is an aura of spectacular about him, but nothing seems new. Maybe that's due to the incredible leap basketball took between the 1960's and the 1980's, leaving little possibilities for anything unique. Over the last decade the two most interesting players have been Dirk and Yao. Dirk because he is the antithesis of a big man... a successful 7 foot jump shooter. Yao because of his size and skill set combined with his comparatively unathletic moments... there's never been a player with quite that combo and he puzzles people because there is no set category with which to put him. Of course, neither of those guys are like Magic or Dream or even Bird (who had a not too unsimilar to Yao combo of skills and perceived unathleticism). Now, I'm slowly coming around to the idea that LeBron may bring something new, but I'm not totally convinced yet. Kobe is one of the best skilled, most athletic players to ever play the game, but I don't think you can put him in the first tier of players who changed the game or their positions. Because of that, Magic deserves the honor as best Lakers guard.
Magic Johnson is ARGUABLY the best player to ever play the game from any position. yes, he's the Lakers' best guard ever.
Great post. I agree with almost all of it, other than that I think LeBron is a unique player, just because we've never seen a basketball player that big, that fast, and with his all-around skill.
Kobe is not the BEST anything until he wins a ring on his own. Magic lead his teams to championships, Kobe was an important piece for his team's rings but he was never the REASON for it. Kobe is also a douche, so I hope he never gets it.
Let me add another important point, Kobe has yet to win a title in a scenario in which he is clearly the best player on his team.
