2015 Anger General Greatest post-merger Players of All Time #2

[Y2K]

I've always found Magic Johnson to be an interesting player to analyze. I cannot think of a players, other than Jordan and lebron, who was so "unstoppable" on the offensive end due to their skill packages. Role and position could be a great factor in this but it is what it is.

With Shaq, he had to have guys who could get him the ball on the post and needed floor spacers. Kobe has the skillset but too often is willing to take bad shots and be disruptive to the flow of the offense.

I'm one of the biggest fans of two-way players and Magic certainly was not that type of player. However, what he brought on offense was far more valuable than being a liability in space on defense.

I'm not saying that Magic Johnson should go at #2 but he definitely is very worthy despite his lack of longevity.

[Robceltsfan]

Magic.......by the slimmest of margins over Bird.

[Y2K]

Magic.......by the slimmest of margins over Bird.

About as slim as slim can get In a lot of aspects.

[Robceltsfan]

Magic.......by the slimmest of margins over Bird.

About as slim as slim can get In a lot of aspects.

I'll give him the nod due to having more rings and making 9 Finals....despite the fact that he had easier roads there and, IMO, a better supporting casts most of the time.

[Y2K]

Magic.......by the slimmest of margins over Bird.

About as slim as slim can get In a lot of aspects.

I'll give him the nod due to having more rings and making 9 Finals....despite the fact that he had easier roads there and, IMO, a better supporting casts most of the time.

I'll give Magic Johnson this: in 11 seasons, he accomplished a lot. Despite having Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most of his career, his supporting casts were not as stable but yet they kept winning championships. Kareem got old and eventually retired but Magic still kept the team on championship level.

[lettherebehouse]

I've always found Magic Johnson to be an interesting player to analyze. I cannot think of a players, other than Jordan and lebron, who was so "unstoppable" on the offensive end due to their skill packages. Role and position could be a great factor in this but it is what it is.

With Shaq, he had to have guys who could get him the ball on the post and needed floor spacers. Kobe has the skillset but too often is willing to take bad shots and be disruptive to the flow of the offense.

I'm one of the biggest fans of two-way players and Magic certainly was not that type of player. However, what he brought on offense was far more valuable than being a liability in space on defense.

I'm not saying that Magic Johnson should go at #2 but he definitely is very worthy despite his lack of longevity.

Reading this thread, I'd say that's exactly what you're doing here. Rightfully so. No need to feel guilty about it bruh, just own that conviction of yours, it's right.

[Shill Jackson]

Magic.......by the slimmest of margins over Bird.

About as slim as slim can get In a lot of aspects.

I'll give him the nod due to having more rings and making 9 Finals....despite the fact that he had easier roads there and, IMO, a better supporting casts most of the time.

concur with Rob.
75% of your career in the Finals is no joke.
People put huge emphasis on 'he inherited a much better supporting cast' - the bulk of the 80s Lakers came after Magic, through the draft and trades. Other orgs could have put together similar teams.

[Havlicekstealsit]

Something that rarely gets mentioned - Bird's rookie year Boston experienced a 32-game turnaround. Magic joined a 47-win Lakers team from the year before. Both were impactful as rookies but the 1979-80 Lakers were Kareem's team. And while Magic had that amazing closeout Game 6 as a rook let's not forget Kareem was running those Finals before he went down - 33/14/5 thru 5 games. I still prefer Bird at #2 but I respect Magic enough for him to get it too.

[Robceltsfan]

Something that rarely gets mentioned - Bird's rookie year Boston experienced a 32-game turnaround. Magic joined a 47-win Lakers team from the year before. Both were impactful as rookies but the 1979-80 Lakers were Kareem's team. And while Magic had that amazing closeout Game 6 as a rook let's not forget Kareem was running those Finals before he went down - 33/14/5 thru 5 games. I still prefer Bird at #2 but I respect Magic enough for him to get it too.

This is what makes it so hard to rank guys like Magic and Kobe compared to Bird, Jordan and Lebron. Magic and Kobe came into winning situations and were able to play alongside the best player in the league at the starts of their careers. Bird, Jordan and Lebron came into shit situations with shit teammates.

Context is tough to manage in these debates/rankings.

[Y2K]

I've always found Magic Johnson to be an interesting player to analyze. I cannot think of a players, other than Jordan and lebron, who was so "unstoppable" on the offensive end due to their skill packages. Role and position could be a great factor in this but it is what it is.

With Shaq, he had to have guys who could get him the ball on the post and needed floor spacers. Kobe has the skillset but too often is willing to take bad shots and be disruptive to the flow of the offense.

I'm one of the biggest fans of two-way players and Magic certainly was not that type of player. However, what he brought on offense was far more valuable than being a liability in space on defense.

I'm not saying that Magic Johnson should go at #2 but he definitely is very worthy despite his lack of longevity.

Reading this thread, I'd say that's exactly what you're doing here. Rightfully so. No need to feel guilty about it bruh, just own that conviction of yours, it's right.

I'm contemplating it. I'm stuck between he, Cap and Bird.

Peak wise, I feel that Kareem was better than every player on the board this round. His game became more refined and fit to age gracefully.

Statistically speaking, he had peaks in several categories pre and post merger but as far as overall efficiency, many of his best efficient years came post merger.

[Y2K]

Something that rarely gets mentioned - Bird's rookie year Boston experienced a 32-game turnaround. Magic joined a 47-win Lakers team from the year before. Both were impactful as rookies but the 1979-80 Lakers were Kareem's team. And while Magic had that amazing closeout Game 6 as a rook let's not forget Kareem was running those Finals before he went down - 33/14/5 thru 5 games. I still prefer Bird at #2 but I respect Magic enough for him to get it too.

While Magic was an instant star, Bird came in and became an instant superstar.

I'd say from 80-86, Bird had the greater legacy and wad the better player hands down. 1987 closed the gap considerably. 1988 brought them even closer. Magic catching Bird in MVPs in 1990 is probably the point where Magic edged Bird out when looking back on it.

[Robceltsfan]

Lets not forget this wouldnt even be a discussion if Magic didn't get infected with HIV.

Or if Bird didn't have a bad back. Or if Jordan were drafted to a winning team. Or if Lebron didn't waste away in Cleveland. Or KG didn't play in Minny.

Yadda yadda yadda.

[lettherebehouse]

Lets not forget this wouldnt even be a discussion if Magic didn't get infected with HIV.

Or if Bird didn't have a bad back. Or if Jordan were drafted to a winning team. Or if Lebron didn't waste away in Cleveland. Or KG didn't play in Minny.

Yadda yadda yadda.

Nope. Those were all victim to natural molecular deterioration, or random luck or chance any human being is subjected to in life. But to get HIV and have to quit in the prime of his life, dat shit ain't natural, or random. Magic is the only one listed with a legit "if" excuse.

[Robceltsfan]

Lets not forget this wouldnt even be a discussion if Magic didn't get infected with HIV.

Or if Bird didn't have a bad back. Or if Jordan were drafted to a winning team. Or if Lebron didn't waste away in Cleveland. Or KG didn't play in Minny.

Yadda yadda yadda.

Nope. Those were all victim to natural molecular deterioration, or random luck or chance any human being is subjected to in life. But to get HIV and have to quit in the prime of his life, dat shit ain't natural, or random. Magic is the only one listed with a legit "if" excuse.

Stupidity is naturally occuring.....and that dipshit stupidly stuck his dick in anything that moved....possibly even men. Sorry, we're not passing out excuse cards to you TDK wannabees.

[Y2K]

Lets not forget this wouldnt even be a discussion if Magic didn't get infected with HIV.

It would have been very interesting to see how he and the Lakers would have fared if he'd not retired due to the illness. He gave us a glimpse in 1996 of his willingness to adapt by playing PF, putting up decent stats And making an impact on winning.

22-10 w/ Magic
31-19 w/o Magic

[Robceltsfan]

Rob no need to be so insecure. Bird was a good player. He just wasn't on Magics level. Theres no shame in that.

Bird did just as much with less help.......and was the better individual player. You're right, there's no shame in that. I give Magic the nod simply because he has 2 more rings than Bird, but that's largely due to playing in a conference about as good as the current East is.

[Robceltsfan]

Okay, good. You agree Magic is the better player even though he had to leave the game in prime of his career.

You could have just agreed with me instead of posting all that stuff bro.

[Havlicekstealsit]

Lets not forget this wouldnt even be a discussion if Magic didn't get infected with HIV.

Just finished Wilt's biography and the author kept saying Magic had AIDS, not HIV.

[Macrotus]

Magic > Bird....pro & college.

[lettherebehouse]

Lets not forget this wouldnt even be a discussion if Magic didn't get infected with HIV.

Just finished Wilt's biography and the author kept saying Magic had AIDS, not HIV.

Tomatoe/Potatoe