Magic prob could have averaged 27+ a game. But he always looked at running the offense and getting the other guys their shots first. He made everyone better.
What???? 15.4 assists in the playoffs while shooting 55% from the field?? Magic was an absolute BEAST in '85 while his legs were still young. The guy grabbed a rebound in traffic and drove the length of the floor while blowing by 2 defenders on one play and everyone just took it for granted as just "typical" Magic play.
This isn't even the most athletic version of Magic. People forget that he tore up his knee in 1981. He didn't jump as high after that. Didn't need to. Remember the movie "A Beautiful Mind?" That's the way Magic's mind was with basketball. He could've played in a motorized wheelchair and dominated cats. That's because he was "seeing" a different game than they were.
Individual accolades? lmao 1980 NBA Finals Game 6 A (Rookie) I repeat R-O-O-K-I-E Magic Johnson (6'9) fills in for Kareem Abdul Jabarr (7'2) He scores 42 points, grabs 15 boards, and 7 assists. Lakers win title. That was just Magics opening act. I want you to really sit down and think about this again. Kobe is great....There's no doubt. Magic is MAGIC.
The '85 Lakers still hold the NBA record for FG% in a season at 54.5%, which is absolutely insane for a team! All those fastbreaks added up to numerous layups and dunks!
Magic was the first Point Forward and was the ultimate winner - Magic won @ every level; High School State Title, National Champion, NBA titles, and an Olympian Gold Medalist. He made everyone better. It was unheard of back in the 80s to have a 6’9 point guard. When people compare Magic with Jordan it’s not a fair comparison because they played different positions and played different styles. It’s safe to say when Jordan learned to pass and trust his teammates he became a champion.
I guess you can call Magic a point forward. But the first one to have that position title was Paul Pressey of the 80s Bucks. Don Nelson created that position for matchup problems.
G L Magic arrived to the League in 79. It was unheard of back then to be 6’9 and handle the ball and see the floor so well. Nelson was innovative but never could get beyond the first round of the playoffs; he had very talented teams. Magic was the first point forward to do it full time and well.
@@Butter-gz4kb Oh, I understand!! I watched that gm 6 vs Philly taped delay on CBS. Remember those games 😁. It was unheard of back then. Meanwhile, I liked the Bucks back then, too. They had a 60 win season in the 80s. Made it to the Eastern Finals in '83 and swept Boston that year. Don Nelson was innovative, by the chances he took rarely paid off: Manute Bol a 3 pt threat, small ball with Golden St...
G L The good days of basketball. When there were rivalries and players didn’t like one another. Today, you can’t touch a player and they all join Super teams. I rather watch old school games than today’s basketball. Teams encompassed team work, rebounding, team D, etc. I’m very disappointed how much basketball evolved; in my opinion for the worse
@@Butter-gz4kb Amen!! That's why I'm watching these old games today!!! 😁 Remember when the rule was that on a shooting foul, you had three chances to make 2 free throws? And 2 chances to make 1? Not to mention, players could wear gold chains? Great times, great heart and skills.
tubenachos...agreed. I've watched Magic, Bird, Jordan and Lebron's entire careers. I watched the former three play college basketball, as well. If I could pick one of these four to start a team with, my pick would be Magic. It's not even a hard pick. He's not the greatest ATHLETE ever. He's the greatest team PLAYER ever. Period.
@@mja91352 in his time. He and Oscar. But I'm glad to hear you give him credit. He gets overlooked too often today. And he is still very high on the all-around players list.
Man at that pass at 7:06. Chest pass to Rambis. That thing just whipped to Rambo in a blink. It looked like Earv just flicked it nonchalantly. That guy's mind and eye and finesse and big hands made him one of a kind. He clearly saw the game a step or two ahead of the rest of the mortals in the NBA.
@@jaybrick8973 Stockton and Thomas were great, little point guards. They where not on Magic's level. Only Magic is on that level, at 6'9." The former two didn't create the same matchup nightmares, every night. Obviously, at about 8 inches shorter, they were not able to see over the defense or rebound like Earvin.
@Coatesville Red Raiders ...I will have to defer to you here. I was born in November, 1968. So, unfortunately, I was unable to witness the greatness of Oscar Robertson. I took a look at a Laker team (I believe it was the '72 club). Wow. West and Goodrich were sick.
LakersDynasty42, this is a great clip to remember. I was at most of the home games during the 80s so its a nice trip down memory lane but please include more with Chick Hearns voice. If you also saw some of the games live than you would know that a lot of people came in with their walkman to listen to chicky while they watched the game.
When you watch this game, what you see are 10 men on the court, playing basketball. Some are variably more gifted than others. Nine of the players are doing mortal things. But there is one man who appears to be playing his own version of the game. And it clearly separates him from all those other men, who are just trying to play basketball. Seuss out
Correct. It's hard to get people to understand that. When Magic and Bird were young players, there were mostly hard core fans following the game. The Finals were on tape delay. Arenas were half full, at best, every night in most cities. When Jordan finally started winning in the 1990s, the opposite was happening. Every game was sold out. The casual, fringe fan was watching. People that are impressed by dunks. This is not meant as disrespect to Michael. Rather, a tip of the cap to the men who actually built the modern day game.
Wes B...Wes, this was a playoff game. But he played like that EVERY NIGHT, through about 1986-87. Then, the NBA game, Magic's aging teammates and Magic's body changed. But in 1984-85, he was in full beast mode. Realize that the '85 Laker TEAM shot 54.5% from the field for the SEASON. That is the impact Magic had. Of course, some guy shooting a sky hook at 60% had something to do with it, too.
@Coatesville Red Raiders ...Absolutely! His game evolved. He was different but still deadly. He had to because the NBA was becoming more defensive and physical. At the same time, Kareem got elderly and Cooper and Worthy got old/older.
He is easily the greatest Laker. He is not the greatest athlete (Jordan), but the greatest PLAYER of all time. He made everyone around him max their potential out. A 6'9" true point guard. He created mismatches because your PG couldn't guard him. You'd have to guard him with your SF or big 2G. He saw over the defense and generally destroyed people. He's my #1 pick if I'm starting a team.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw 6'8 pg. Greatest laker, top 5 all-time. Not better than Jordan. Jordan could dominate both sides of the court. Magic couldn't play no D or make "key" defensive plays which converts to easy offensive buckets. Magic could not not make big defensive plays
@@PowerGearPerformance ...Good point. Magic was not the athlete Jordan was, so he couldn't defend like him. But I think it's unfair to say he played no D. He did. It just wasn't anywhere near Michael's. But Jordan wasn't the leader that Magic was. He didn't have the same court vision, passing skills, rebounding numbers and sixth sense. If you were Magic's teammate, he would have made you better than Michael would have. Thus, I'm picking Magic to start my roster. If it's 1 on 1...Jordan's my guy.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw true Magic possessed many intangibles leadership skills Mike didn't have, and Magic did play "some" D. But again, hes not gonna make that big defensive play. If doesnt Jordan strip Malone and then hit the big shot in Gm 6, the bulls probably don't 3repeat. Mike repetitively made plays like in the 98 finals, a stop or steal which he converted to scoring 80% or assisting. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Jordan's defense wasn't all about athleticism, it was more about anticipation, technique, toughness and Heart- and this what separates him from the rest of the greatest. They didn't call him "Black Cat" for nothing
Look at players now. They are much more selfish. Magic had a sixth sense as to where his teammates would be. Watch him dribble with both hands , shoot hook shots with right or left hand. And was almost unstoppable. A 6'9 point guard with his eyes and penetration in once in a lifetime.
Carlos Peterson You'd better think again then, because LeBron James is a 6'8 small forward pretending to be a point guard while Magic Johnson WAS a 6'9 point guard. He didn't have to pretend to be a point guard. LeBron James couldn't carry Magic Johnson's jock strap if he had the help of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Gtfo. Lmao.
People are impressed by scoring. Magic was all about making his teammates the best that they could possibly be. Yet, if he wanted to, he could have scored 30+ points per game. He could score at will...when he deemed it necessary. As Kareem got older he, along with Byron Scott, began to shoulder more of the scoring load. Lebron is greatness, on and off the court. Magic was better than him...on the court.
Defenders always seemed to forget about Bob McAdoo, who was forever open on the short wing. 10 footers were his specialty. And he was only MVP in 1975...yeah maybe a ways back now. But in this clip, just 10 short years. He was near his end here. But his eyes were still sharp.
The greatest fast break machine in NBA history and the 1985 Laker team had it in high gear the whole year…a 6’ 9” point guard passing it to guys like James Worthy who ran like a guard
No bro one game means nothing...i said that was his opening act...His career speaks for itself...and lets not forget he had 5 rings within his first 8 years and then his career got cut short..who knows what Magic would have did in 92' 93' 94' and 95'. He was good enough to come back into the league in 96' so imagine if he never got his career cut short? I already said Kobe is a great player...but he just isn't on Magic's level. Magic could score at will along with his playmaking skills remember?
In most yrs in the 80's, these west teams were just sparring partners for the lakers til they got to the finals. East teams always had it much tougher then.
Well, I do think that the style of play that typified Eastern and Western hoops was much more black and white than it is even today (East ball is still to this day thought of as rugged and West is wild open, running, gunslingers, "The Wild West"). The 80s Lakers were head and shoulders better at that game than any of the West teams that sorta resembled them. The Nuggets for example. A lot of teams couldn't handle THEIR fast paced offense and running, but even they got embarrassed by Magic and the Lakers all the time. I DO mean embarrassed. Magic in those daze made teams like Seattle, Denver, Portland, Phoenix, Dallas look like fools with his Showtime stuff. When the Lakers were really pouring it on, it got to be funny to watch. No looks and facial gestures and what not. When the Lakers met the Eastern teams or more rugged West teams like HOU and Utah, things got tougher. Jazz with Malone and Sloan as coach were built to be physical. Lakers had trouble with those kinds of teams. Moses was another Malone who was essentially Kareem Kryptonite. Pretty much the only C who could humiliate Kareem straight up. However, what the Lakers DON'T get credited for (and they SHOULD) is that they were a good halfcourt team too. Teams had to force that style to beat them, yet the Lakers won 5 titles in the 80s. They were still good enough to win with the other team's style more often than the opponents were able to beat them.
@@nonplayerzealot4 ....Nice, accurate breakdown. This Laker team was known for running and offense. But they were a an underrated defensive team. The Showtime era of 1980-87 had given way to Slow-time by 1988. They were able to beat teams at halfcourt basketball (barely). How many game 7s did they have to play in the '88 playoffs? After that Kareem got elderly, Magic ran less, Cooper got old, Worthy got somewhat more exposed and the league's style of play changed. Basketball became far less fun to watch.
Dude, this Blazers team could've been something. Here Kiki Vandeweghe was their top scorer at 22 a game, with a young Jerome Kersey, Clyde Drexler, and Sam Bowie. This was Bowie that got picked over Jordan in the draft. This could've really been a dangerous Blazers team if Sam Bowie had even played at 3/4 of the player he was supposed to be, or obviously if they had drafted Jordan, or Barkley over Bowie.
7:06 I’ve never seen a bullet chest pass over someone’s head like that, wasn’t even using any momentum he was standing there flat footed, the guy couldn’t even react. He made it look so easy you almost gloss over it.
That is correct. Magic was not the greatest athlete to play NBA basketball. Jordan was. But if I could draft a team and take any players in history, my first selection is Earvin Johnson. Not Jordan. Not LeBron. Not Bird. Not KD. Earvin "Magic" Johnson made everyone else around him the best that they could possibly be.
Dr. Seuss It’s hard to argue with that!!! First overall pick for the All Time Team? Magic or Kareem? My favorite player ever is The Captain, but I’m picking Magic! ☮️🖖🏽
to be that good, that young, and that smart is something we may never see in the league again. yeah theres Rose, but Magic can do everything...LeBron cant consistently
@@thestrika ...Sam, tons of respect to LeBron. When the original poster left his post about a lack of consistency, it was 2011. His post is 9 years old. LeBron had yet to win a ring. There is one area in LeBron's game that I have a problem with (no it's not his "heart"). He's not a very good free throw shooter. He gets even worse late in the fourth quarter. Magic, Larry, Michael, KD, Kobe... none of these players had/have that very critical weakness. I admire LBJ, more than any other athlete, for the good person that he is. He is #1 and no one is close to him...off the court. If you were fighting a battle in the trenches, and had to pick one person to have "your back,'" this is the guy. On the court, in historical terms, he's behind Magic and Michael (some would even argue, Larry).
The 1980's... "medium" 'fros, jerycurls, short-shorts, no tats, no muscles, no mean mugging, "touch-jams", mid range jumpers... sigh... those were the voyages of the starship 80's.
I would add Magic's (on court) mind. He simply saw a different game than other players...and it showed. Tough to explain to people. You have to watch it happen.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw this guy commented 9 years ago When Lebron had no ring and was coming off a deafening loss to the underdogs . 9 years after that he has 4 rings legendary legacy has fought with heart in multiple series . In 2015 he carried Cavs in his bag and surpassed his limits in 2016 he did the unthinkable an ultimate finals appearance beating a 73 9 team in 2018 arguably his best season ever 33 years old making an inferior to almost everyone cavs team finals contender . He has shown sheer will and disposition of passion and heart . You have no argument no reason to say such thing
@@jimjim3979 ...Your point is a very solid one. I love LeBron James' game. I love him off the court even more. The originator of the thread wrote about James heart being inferior to Johnson's. I actually disagree with that, but understand that he was posting around 2011-12. This was around the time that LeBron's Heat lost to Dirk's Mavericks in the finals. Also understand, though, that LeBron had been in the league 8-9 years at that point. And that is my point. The qualities that Lebron is showing today are the same qualities that Magic and Jordan CAME INTO THE LEAGUE WITH. LeBron James, as much as I admire him, had to earn certain qualities over time that a small handful of players had intrinsically. Does this make him a lesser player today? Obviously the answer is no.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw Absolutely! I cherish the memories as a kid with seasons tickets at the The Forum during the 80's. BTW, James worthy speed was insane.woia..!
If you wanna know why James Worthy was drafted ahead of Terry Cummings and Nique just watch the play at 1:36. Worth is on his own baseline and sprints all the way ahead of Magic - and everyone else - for the finish. They wanted that speed on the break. Perfect player to match with Magic.
The NBA is a far-easier league now than it was when this game was played. It really started to thin in the mid-90s and thinned that much more in '99 when that untrustworthy commissioner, David Stern, slanted the rules grossly in favor of offenses.
@@stephcurrytheg.o.a.t ...They played defense in the 1980s, Steph. But the referees, then, called the game very tightly (by the rule book). So you couldn't get away with things. That all changed in the 1990's. You are Waaaay off here. The game became so physical and defensive in the 90s, I stopped watching. It looked like rugby on a basketball court. Too many 80-72 final scores. That's what led to the new rules, 3 point offenses and increased pace that we enjoy today. Go take a look at the 1993-94 New York Knicks. Watch a handful of their games on TH-cam and tell me what you think of them defensively. This team was full of thugs and coached by Pat Riley (yes the same guy that coached the Showtime Lakers). Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, Patrick Ewing, Charles Smith, John Starks, Dereck Harper, Herb Williams... Now Imagine you had to try to score on these guys while they beat on you (and refs swallowed their whistles). Good luck, bro.
i always feel weird watching 80's basketball clips and hearing rick fucking barry doing PBP, especially after what happened between him and bill russell during the 81' finals
WILLIAM MORRISON well it's true. you got guys doing shit only mj could do. you must me be tripping if you are to believe the 80s had better athleticism
They could drive the problem is magic just stands ten feet off the three point line on defense the Lakers would give up 30 threes a game with the defense they are playing.
6:55 Blazers down by 11 in the 3rd, blazers star and best player Clyde Drexler takes a lightly contested 3 and the commentators call it an I’ll-advised shot lol man the game has really changed 🤷🏾♂️
Magic is way better than Kobe could ever be in two lifetimes....Jordan, Magic, and Bird are on the same level. Jordan was just the better athlete...but as far as being a basketball player they are on the same level.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw bullshit, and Kobe better offensively and defensively and shoot better, more athletic and he didn't have a third star likeagic had in worthy.magix can't guard Kobe one on one but kone can definitely guard magic.Kobe is on anyone level he won 5 titles.Kobe has better basketball skill.agic is a point Kobe is a shooting guard .Magic is one of my favorites but he ain't no Kobe .
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw you an idiot for saying no close to his level when magic himself will tell you you wrong.Magic never won without Kareem, Kobe won 2 without Shaq lol.kobe on the highest level with Jordan and LeBron.kobe fundamental are amazing.Learn basketball
So one amazing game according to you is what determines if he's the better player? I think with those 2 it's debatable, magic was a play maker whereas kobe is a pure scorer and one of the best SG's of all time behind MJ.
That is correct. This isn't a game of 1 on 1. It's team basketball. Magic was the best at it. Also, Magic's best team had better talent than Jordan's best. The league, top to bottom, had only 23 teams. The talent was compressed.
Magic definitely overrated he was bigger than the other guards he looked bad against Scottie Pippin and didn't free lance the way he did against others
I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that magic was that much ahead of Kobe. Yes Kobe had Shaq, magic had kareem also. If you had to break down purely by individual accolades I think Kobe is ahead?
Kobe like most players since the 1990's look for they're own shot. Magic created, made his whole team better. Even at the All Star game right before he retired, he broke the assist record at the all star game.His contribution to the game is unbelievable. When kids started wanting to be Jordan or Kobe, it made a lot of undisciplined young players that could dunk big time have some crossovers.If only kids had kept trying to be like Magic, the game would have progressed big time. I look at the talent in college, but it is terrible basketball. None of them have learned the basics.
Magic could score 35 points a night no problem, you can see how unselfish he is. he has given up lay ups, he also shot over 50% his whole career. Actually 53% Kobe has never shot 50%. Basketball is about winning.Kobe was selfish and they lost when they were favorites. Look at his assist compared to the average assist today. Whip it out to a three point shot it's an assist. Magics assist were great passes that you wonder how he got it there.Kobe was a great athlete scorer. Magic was a leader.
Magic is good. Definitely a pioneer of the game. Great passer and allat. But it’s no way you see him play and then see a Steph Curry play and think Magic is better. I just don’t see how you come to that conclusion. AT ALL. Yes magic is a legend but purely basketball talent or skill Shooting alone ends the convo to me. And he’s getting guarded by players 4-5 inches shorter than him. I just don’t see it
![เบิ้ล ปทุมราช - อ้ายกินดอง น้องลาบงัว ft. สแน็ก อัจฉรีย์ [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-OK--KaSPcI/mqdefault.jpg)
Magic prob could have averaged 27+ a game. But he always looked at running the offense and getting the other guys their shots first. He made everyone better.
Magic lowkey was the goat he won in the toughest decade to win in an made it look easy
Facts
What???? 15.4 assists in the playoffs while shooting 55% from the field?? Magic was an absolute BEAST in '85 while his legs were still young. The guy grabbed a rebound in traffic and drove the length of the floor while blowing by 2 defenders on one play and everyone just took it for granted as just "typical" Magic play.
This isn't even the most athletic version of Magic. People forget that he tore up his knee in 1981. He didn't jump as high after that. Didn't need to. Remember the movie "A Beautiful Mind?" That's the way Magic's mind was with basketball. He could've played in a motorized wheelchair and dominated cats. That's because he was "seeing" a different game than they were.
What made him great is it was either he’s going to pass/playmake or he’s gonna score easily on you with his 6’9 250 pound frame
A Magic Johnson defensive rebound is as close to an automatic 2 points as a rebound ever got in the NBA.
Individual accolades? lmao
1980 NBA Finals Game 6
A (Rookie) I repeat R-O-O-K-I-E Magic Johnson (6'9) fills in for Kareem Abdul Jabarr (7'2)
He scores 42 points, grabs 15 boards, and 7 assists.
Lakers win title.
That was just Magics opening act.
I want you to really sit down and think about this again.
Kobe is great....There's no doubt.
Magic is MAGIC.
Magic is my Best Man in PurpleGold......... 1985 Lakers were the best of the "Showtime Era": 1st time we won a Final over the Celtics.........
Assist 15.4 oh my goodness.
That man was unstoppable.
Magic and the Showtime Lakers were so fast on the break!
The '85 Lakers still hold the NBA record for FG% in a season at 54.5%, which is absolutely insane for a team! All those fastbreaks added up to numerous layups and dunks!
Goatee Magic was a beast!!
Magic Johnson is the GOAT!
Magi was and is the GOAT of all point guards. Will never be another like this great player.
Magic is still the best passer of all time.
Magic was the first Point Forward and was the ultimate winner - Magic won @ every level; High School State Title, National Champion, NBA titles, and an Olympian Gold Medalist. He made everyone better. It was unheard of back in the 80s to have a 6’9 point guard. When people compare Magic with Jordan it’s not a fair comparison because they played different positions and played different styles. It’s safe to say when Jordan learned to pass and trust his teammates he became a champion.
I guess you can call Magic a point forward. But the first one to have that position title was Paul Pressey of the 80s Bucks. Don Nelson created that position for matchup problems.
G L Magic arrived to the League in 79. It was unheard of back then to be 6’9 and handle the ball and see the floor so well. Nelson was innovative but never could get beyond the first round of the playoffs; he had very talented teams. Magic was the first point forward to do it full time and well.
@@Butter-gz4kb Oh, I understand!! I watched that gm 6 vs Philly taped delay on CBS. Remember those games 😁. It was unheard of back then. Meanwhile, I liked the Bucks back then, too. They had a 60 win season in the 80s. Made it to the Eastern Finals in '83 and swept Boston that year. Don Nelson was innovative, by the chances he took rarely paid off: Manute Bol a 3 pt threat, small ball with Golden St...
G L The good days of basketball. When there were rivalries and players didn’t like one another. Today, you can’t touch a player and they all join Super teams. I rather watch old school games than today’s basketball. Teams encompassed team work, rebounding, team D, etc. I’m very disappointed how much basketball evolved; in my opinion for the worse
@@Butter-gz4kb Amen!! That's why I'm watching these old games today!!! 😁 Remember when the rule was that on a shooting foul, you had three chances to make 2 free throws? And 2 chances to make 1? Not to mention, players could wear gold chains? Great times, great heart and skills.
Greatest all around player, ever
sound stupid
tubenachos...agreed. I've watched Magic, Bird, Jordan and Lebron's entire careers. I watched the former three play college basketball, as well. If I could pick one of these four to start a team with, my pick would be Magic. It's not even a hard pick. He's not the greatest ATHLETE ever. He's the greatest team PLAYER ever. Period.
No, that was John Havlichek
@@mja91352 in his time. He and Oscar. But I'm glad to hear you give him credit. He gets overlooked too often today. And he is still very high on the all-around players list.
Magic is one of my favorite players ever
yes,yes.yes..........magic is magic..........
Man at that pass at 7:06. Chest pass to Rambis. That thing just whipped to Rambo in a blink. It looked like Earv just flicked it nonchalantly. That guy's mind and eye and finesse and big hands made him one of a kind. He clearly saw the game a step or two ahead of the rest of the mortals in the NBA.
How about the one at 4:12? lol.... MAGIC
Magic is the greatest PG of all time. I don't think any other PG was at his level and made his team better.
John Stockton and isiah thomas was at that level to
@@jaybrick8973 That is true
@@jaybrick8973 Stockton and Thomas were great, little point guards. They where not on Magic's level. Only Magic is on that level, at 6'9." The former two didn't create the same matchup nightmares, every night. Obviously, at about 8 inches shorter, they were not able to see over the defense or rebound like Earvin.
@Coatesville Red Raiders ...I will have to defer to you here. I was born in November, 1968. So, unfortunately, I was unable to witness the greatness of Oscar Robertson. I took a look at a Laker team (I believe it was the '72 club). Wow. West and Goodrich were sick.
@@jaybrick8973 kind of. Magic's low post scoring and rebounding elevate him over those 2.
Magic put on show like always real superstar of the game
LakersDynasty42, this is a great clip to remember. I was at most of the home games during the 80s so its a nice trip down memory lane but please include more with Chick Hearns voice. If you also saw some of the games live than you would know that a lot of people came in with their walkman to listen to chicky while they watched the game.
When you watch this game, what you see are 10 men on the court, playing basketball. Some are variably more gifted than others. Nine of the players are doing mortal things. But there is one man who appears to be playing his own version of the game. And it clearly separates him from all those other men, who are just trying to play basketball.
Seuss out
Jordan was more spectacular...but Magic and Bird are basketball Gods themselves
Correct. It's hard to get people to understand that. When Magic and Bird were young players, there were mostly hard core fans following the game. The Finals were on tape delay. Arenas were half full, at best, every night in most cities. When Jordan finally started winning in the 1990s, the opposite was happening. Every game was sold out. The casual, fringe fan was watching. People that are impressed by dunks. This is not meant as disrespect to Michael. Rather, a tip of the cap to the men who actually built the modern day game.
Jordan remains vastly overrated
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw 💯
@@mja91352 thank you!
Magic was more spectacular!
Jordan was the best 1x1, but Magic was the best basketball player ever.
RoChede L
Agreed
That is very well said. If I could pick one player to start a team with, I pick Magic first, over any other player.
@centenario de oro bullshit
Was is thw proper term..lbj took that one
Just learning how good Magic was
Wes B...Wes, this was a playoff game. But he played like that EVERY NIGHT, through about 1986-87. Then, the NBA game, Magic's aging teammates and Magic's body changed. But in 1984-85, he was in full beast mode. Realize that the '85 Laker TEAM shot 54.5% from the field for the SEASON. That is the impact Magic had. Of course, some guy shooting a sky hook at 60% had something to do with it, too.
@Coatesville Red Raiders ...Absolutely! His game evolved. He was different but still deadly. He had to because the NBA was becoming more defensive and physical. At the same time, Kareem got elderly and Cooper and Worthy got old/older.
Very good. Worthy struggled noticeably without him.
Magic is the greatest laker
I AGREE BUT LET'S ADD JERRY WEST
He is easily the greatest Laker. He is not the greatest athlete (Jordan), but the greatest PLAYER of all time. He made everyone around him max their potential out. A 6'9" true point guard. He created mismatches because your PG couldn't guard him. You'd have to guard him with your SF or big 2G. He saw over the defense and generally destroyed people. He's my #1 pick if I'm starting a team.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw 6'8 pg. Greatest laker, top 5 all-time. Not better than Jordan. Jordan could dominate both sides of the court. Magic couldn't play no D or make "key" defensive plays which converts to easy offensive buckets. Magic could not not make big defensive plays
@@PowerGearPerformance ...Good point. Magic was not the athlete Jordan was, so he couldn't defend like him. But I think it's unfair to say he played no D. He did. It just wasn't anywhere near Michael's. But Jordan wasn't the leader that Magic was. He didn't have the same court vision, passing skills, rebounding numbers and sixth sense. If you were Magic's teammate, he would have made you better than Michael would have. Thus, I'm picking Magic to start my roster. If it's 1 on 1...Jordan's my guy.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw true Magic possessed many intangibles leadership skills Mike didn't have, and Magic did play "some" D. But again, hes not gonna make that big defensive play. If doesnt Jordan strip Malone and then hit the big shot in Gm 6, the bulls probably don't 3repeat. Mike repetitively made plays like in the 98 finals, a stop or steal which he converted to scoring 80% or assisting.
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.
Jordan's defense wasn't all about athleticism, it was more about anticipation, technique, toughness and Heart- and this what separates him from the rest of the greatest.
They didn't call him "Black Cat" for nothing
my fav. player along with bird
and kobe
1:34 Magic grunting for that rebound and willing the fastbreak 🔥🔥🔥
Look at players now. They are much more selfish. Magic had a sixth sense as to where his teammates would be. Watch him dribble with both hands , shoot hook shots with right or left hand. And was almost unstoppable. A 6'9 point guard with his eyes and penetration in once in a lifetime.
vin russo yah I think there's a player like that. LeBron James ring a bell?
Carlos Peterson You'd better think again then, because LeBron James is a 6'8 small forward pretending to be a point guard while Magic Johnson WAS a 6'9 point guard. He didn't have to pretend to be a point guard. LeBron James couldn't carry Magic Johnson's jock strap if he had the help of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Gtfo. Lmao.
Great as he is, Lebron has never been on the level of Magic Johnson.
People are impressed by scoring. Magic was all about making his teammates the best that they could possibly be. Yet, if he wanted to, he could have scored 30+ points per game. He could score at will...when he deemed it necessary. As Kareem got older he, along with Byron Scott, began to shoulder more of the scoring load. Lebron is greatness, on and off the court. Magic was better than him...on the court.
He played the game the way it should be played. Fun and beautiful to watch a team fast break and fill the lanes like that.
Defenders always seemed to forget about Bob McAdoo, who was forever open on the short wing. 10 footers were his specialty. And he was only MVP in 1975...yeah maybe a ways back now. But in this clip, just 10 short years. He was near his end here. But his eyes were still sharp.
The greatest fast break machine in NBA history and the 1985 Laker team had it in high gear the whole year…a 6’ 9” point guard passing it to guys like James Worthy who ran like a guard
No bro one game means nothing...i said that was his opening act...His career speaks for itself...and lets not forget he had 5 rings within his first 8 years and then his career got cut short..who knows what Magic would have did in 92' 93' 94' and 95'. He was good enough to come back into the league in 96' so imagine if he never got his career cut short? I already said Kobe is a great player...but he just isn't on Magic's level. Magic could score at will along with his playmaking skills remember?
Yeah wish magic would’ve played longer. He was at his basketball peak in 1992 before child molester Karl Malone started dissing him.
Magic, Jordan, Kareem and Bird stand alone on basketball's Mt Rushmore. Russell, Lebron, Kobe, Steph, Hakeem, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaq are next tier.
Agree. I loved Kobe, but Magic was the better overall player.
In most yrs in the 80's, these west teams were just sparring partners for the lakers til they got to the finals. East teams always had it much tougher then.
Well, I do think that the style of play that typified Eastern and Western hoops was much more black and white than it is even today (East ball is still to this day thought of as rugged and West is wild open, running, gunslingers, "The Wild West"). The 80s Lakers were head and shoulders better at that game than any of the West teams that sorta resembled them. The Nuggets for example. A lot of teams couldn't handle THEIR fast paced offense and running, but even they got embarrassed by Magic and the Lakers all the time. I DO mean embarrassed. Magic in those daze made teams like Seattle, Denver, Portland, Phoenix, Dallas look like fools with his Showtime stuff. When the Lakers were really pouring it on, it got to be funny to watch. No looks and facial gestures and what not. When the Lakers met the Eastern teams or more rugged West teams like HOU and Utah, things got tougher. Jazz with Malone and Sloan as coach were built to be physical. Lakers had trouble with those kinds of teams. Moses was another Malone who was essentially Kareem Kryptonite. Pretty much the only C who could humiliate Kareem straight up. However, what the Lakers DON'T get credited for (and they SHOULD) is that they were a good halfcourt team too. Teams had to force that style to beat them, yet the Lakers won 5 titles in the 80s. They were still good enough to win with the other team's style more often than the opponents were able to beat them.
@@nonplayerzealot4 ....Nice, accurate breakdown. This Laker team was known for running and offense. But they were a an underrated defensive team. The Showtime era of 1980-87 had given way to Slow-time by 1988. They were able to beat teams at halfcourt basketball (barely). How many game 7s did they have to play in the '88 playoffs? After that Kareem got elderly, Magic ran less, Cooper got old, Worthy got somewhat more exposed and the league's style of play changed. Basketball became far less fun to watch.
Dude, this Blazers team could've been something. Here Kiki Vandeweghe was their top scorer at 22 a game, with a young Jerome Kersey, Clyde Drexler, and Sam Bowie. This was Bowie that got picked over Jordan in the draft. This could've really been a dangerous Blazers team if Sam Bowie had even played at 3/4 of the player he was supposed to be, or obviously if they had drafted Jordan, or Barkley over Bowie.
7:06 I’ve never seen a bullet chest pass over someone’s head like that, wasn’t even using any momentum he was standing there flat footed, the guy couldn’t even react. He made it look so easy you almost gloss over it.
It was a bullet
Magics strength was overlooked
I don't know why players today don't develop a baby hook like Magic. There really is no defense for it when he's in the paint.
0 dislikes, just as it should be.
Rick Barry was an underrated pbp and color analyst.
Rick Barry on the play by play, with Bill Russell. The original players only announcers.
4:13 f'n awesome magicness
He made plays like that, in 1984-85, EVERY NIGHT.
Showtime lakers! 🟡🟣
I think Magic is by far the greatest Laker ever. Kareem second. Kobe third.
You are exactly correct.
That is correct. Magic was not the greatest athlete to play NBA basketball. Jordan was. But if I could draft a team and take any players in history, my first selection is Earvin Johnson. Not Jordan. Not LeBron. Not Bird. Not KD. Earvin "Magic" Johnson made everyone else around him the best that they could possibly be.
Dr. Seuss It’s hard to argue with that!!! First overall pick for the All Time Team? Magic or Kareem? My favorite player ever is The Captain, but I’m picking Magic! ☮️🖖🏽
@@ralphfurley123 ...Amen Ralph.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw " Not Bird" . Bad choice
M.J. will never be forgotten.
to be that good, that young, and that smart is something we may never see in the league again. yeah theres Rose, but Magic can do everything...LeBron cant consistently
You made that comment 8 years ago. It's still accurate today (2020).
Dr. Seuss LeBron has averaged 27 7 7 for 17 straight years but he can’t do it consistently...
@@thestrika ...Sam, tons of respect to LeBron. When the original poster left his post about a lack of consistency, it was 2011. His post is 9 years old. LeBron had yet to win a ring.
There is one area in LeBron's game that I have a problem with (no it's not his "heart"). He's not a very good free throw shooter. He gets even worse late in the fourth quarter. Magic, Larry, Michael, KD, Kobe... none of these players had/have that very critical weakness.
I admire LBJ, more than any other athlete, for the good person that he is. He is #1 and no one is close to him...off the court. If you were fighting a battle in the trenches, and had to pick one person to have "your back,'" this is the guy. On the court, in historical terms, he's behind Magic and Michael (some would even argue, Larry).
Lebron just doesn't push the ball and pace consistently like Magic. Magic forced his teammates to run with him.
The 1980's... "medium" 'fros, jerycurls, short-shorts, no tats, no muscles, no mean mugging, "touch-jams", mid range jumpers... sigh... those were the voyages of the starship 80's.
One final position. Down by 1. I want Magic bringing the ball up the court and making decisions.
He was !
Lebron has all the skills and athletic abilities but he does not have the Magic Johnson`s heart. That`s the main difference.
I would add Magic's (on court) mind. He simply saw a different game than other players...and it showed. Tough to explain to people. You have to watch it happen.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw yep! Dude saw the court in ways no one else did then or now
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw this guy commented 9 years ago When Lebron had no ring and was coming off a deafening loss to the underdogs . 9 years after that he has 4 rings legendary legacy has fought with heart in multiple series . In 2015 he carried Cavs in his bag and surpassed his limits in 2016 he did the unthinkable an ultimate finals appearance beating a 73 9 team in 2018 arguably his best season ever 33 years old making an inferior to almost everyone cavs team finals contender . He has shown sheer will and disposition of passion and heart . You have no argument no reason to say such thing
@@jimjim3979 ...Your point is a very solid one. I love LeBron James' game. I love him off the court even more. The originator of the thread wrote about James heart being inferior to Johnson's. I actually disagree with that, but understand that he was posting around 2011-12. This was around the time that LeBron's Heat lost to Dirk's Mavericks in the finals.
Also understand, though, that LeBron had been in the league 8-9 years at that point. And that is my point. The qualities that Lebron is showing today are the same qualities that Magic and Jordan CAME INTO THE LEAGUE WITH. LeBron James, as much as I admire him, had to earn certain qualities over time that a small handful of players had intrinsically. Does this make him a lesser player today? Obviously the answer is no.
THE speed athleticism the un selfishness that team could have dominated this era
Any era, Alex. Any era.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw Absolutely! I cherish the memories as a kid with seasons tickets at the The Forum during the 80's. BTW, James worthy speed was insane.woia..!
If you wanna know why James Worthy was drafted ahead of Terry Cummings and Nique just watch the play at 1:36. Worth is on his own baseline and sprints all the way ahead of Magic - and everyone else - for the finish. They wanted that speed on the break. Perfect player to match with Magic.
Worthy ultimate finisher, in the 85 playoff run, averaged 21.5 on 62% shooting
@BigTimePride Amen!
The NBA is a far-easier league now than it was when this game was played. It really started to thin in the mid-90s and thinned that much more in '99 when that untrustworthy commissioner, David Stern, slanted the rules grossly in favor of offenses.
Ronald M. 80s and 90s overrated. They didn't even play defense back then
@@stephcurrytheg.o.a.t ...They played defense in the 1980s, Steph. But the referees, then, called the game very tightly (by the rule book). So you couldn't get away with things. That all changed in the 1990's. You are Waaaay off here. The game became so physical and defensive in the 90s, I stopped watching. It looked like rugby on a basketball court. Too many 80-72 final scores. That's what led to the new rules, 3 point offenses and increased pace that we enjoy today.
Go take a look at the 1993-94 New York Knicks. Watch a handful of their games on TH-cam and tell me what you think of them defensively. This team was full of thugs and coached by Pat Riley (yes the same guy that coached the Showtime Lakers). Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, Patrick Ewing, Charles Smith, John Starks, Dereck Harper, Herb Williams... Now Imagine you had to try to score on these guys while they beat on you (and refs swallowed their whistles). Good luck, bro.
commentor :he almost has tripple-double in first half (magic) lol...
BTW, who were the commentators? I'm pretty sure the color man was Bill Russell. But was the play-by-play man Rick Barry?
He actually reminds me of an athletic jokic
15 assist per at playoffs god damn boiiiiiiii
i always feel weird watching 80's basketball clips and hearing rick fucking barry doing PBP, especially after what happened between him and bill russell during the 81' finals
80s 90s best era of our lives..❤
Another Show put on by MAGIC and THE SHOW TIME LAKERS!!!!😳😉🤔
Damn LeBron actually had to guard the 3 point shot
💕 💕 💕
Darnell Valentine had the biggest thighs I've ever seen on the court!! When I was a kid, I wanted thighs just like that!!
You have to laugh at the younger fans who are always claiming that 1980s players were less athletic than those now.
WILLIAM MORRISON nah 80s just trash and no defense
WILLIAM MORRISON they are
WILLIAM MORRISON well it's true. you got guys doing shit only mj could do. you must me be tripping if you are to believe the 80s had better athleticism
They were definitely better skilled basketball players in the 80s than today. More competition in the 80s and better teams. Tougher rules.
They could drive the problem is magic just stands ten feet off the three point line on defense the Lakers would give up 30 threes a game with the defense they are playing.
0:31 - dream shake like Hakeem :D
May 06 1985
6:55
Blazers down by 11 in the 3rd, blazers star and best player Clyde Drexler takes a lightly contested 3 and the commentators call it an I’ll-advised shot lol man the game has really changed 🤷🏾♂️
Hey, a Sam Bowie sighting!
1:53 tuff
Times when centers don't know how to dribble and shoot 3s
Magic is way better than Kobe could ever be in two lifetimes....Jordan, Magic, and Bird are on the same level. Jordan was just the better athlete...but as far as being a basketball player they are on the same level.
in terms of pure basketball skills, Bird was the best (at his prime)
Kobe is right there with magic and better defensively than magic and better shooter
@@melekelewis2945 ... I love Kobe (God rest his soul). But he was not on Magic's level. Not even close. All due respect to Kobe.
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw bullshit, and Kobe better offensively and defensively and shoot better, more athletic and he didn't have a third star likeagic had in worthy.magix can't guard Kobe one on one but kone can definitely guard magic.Kobe is on anyone level he won 5 titles.Kobe has better basketball skill.agic is a point Kobe is a shooting guard .Magic is one of my favorites but he ain't no Kobe .
@@DrSeuss-nv9hw you an idiot for saying no close to his level when magic himself will tell you you wrong.Magic never won without Kareem, Kobe won 2 without Shaq lol.kobe on the highest level with Jordan and LeBron.kobe fundamental are amazing.Learn basketball
Cshow
Time
34 and 19 wtf!?
Did people really drive from like Encino, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, westwood, to igleewood, to the ghetto to watch a lakers game?
too easy
Magic first year as NBA > Jordan first year as NBA.
So one amazing game according to you is what determines if he's the better player? I think with those 2 it's debatable, magic was a play maker whereas kobe is a pure scorer and one of the best SG's of all time behind MJ.
Kobe was a pure ball hog, that's what he was.
Magic prime vs Jordan prime. Magic>Jordan.
That is correct. This isn't a game of 1 on 1. It's team basketball. Magic was the best at it. Also, Magic's best team had better talent than Jordan's best. The league, top to bottom, had only 23 teams. The talent was compressed.
Magic definitely overrated he was bigger than the other guards he looked bad against Scottie Pippin and didn't free lance the way he did against others
I get your point. It has some validity. Problem is, most teams didn't have a Pippen or Pippen like on their team.
I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that magic was that much ahead of Kobe. Yes Kobe had Shaq, magic had kareem also. If you had to break down purely by individual accolades I think Kobe is ahead?
Kobe like most players since the 1990's look for they're own shot. Magic created, made his whole team better. Even at the All Star game right before he retired, he broke the assist record at the all star game.His contribution to the game is unbelievable. When kids started wanting to be Jordan or Kobe, it made a lot of undisciplined young players that could dunk big time have some crossovers.If only kids had kept trying to be like Magic, the game would have progressed big time. I look at the talent in college, but it is terrible basketball. None of them have learned the basics.
Magic could score 35 points a night no problem, you can see how unselfish he is. he has given up lay ups, he also shot over 50% his whole career. Actually 53% Kobe has never shot 50%. Basketball is about winning.Kobe was selfish and they lost when they were favorites. Look at his assist compared to the average assist today. Whip it out to a three point shot it's an assist. Magics assist were great passes that you wonder how he got it there.Kobe was a great athlete scorer. Magic was a leader.
@@vinrusso821 magic had more talent on his team than kobe.kobe never had a third guy as good as worthy
@@vinrusso821 ...."Kobe was a great athlete scorer. Magic was a leader."
And the winner is....vin russo!
Magic is good. Definitely a pioneer of the game. Great passer and allat. But it’s no way you see him play and then see a Steph Curry play and think Magic is better. I just don’t see how you come to that conclusion. AT ALL. Yes magic is a legend but purely basketball talent or skill Shooting alone ends the convo to me. And he’s getting guarded by players 4-5 inches shorter than him. I just don’t see it
Magic is better!
@@yao052 no
Magic is the greatest laker
Without question that is the case.