Really enjoy this series. It's refreshing to have this GOAT conversation in a way which celebrates the game's greatest legends without tearing them down.
i think honestly no b.s. magic is the 8th best player of all time..not trying to hate but he had teams stacked he had riley the coach he had kareem he had the weak west to dominate unlike say the 80' east elite and he had a pass first mentality no real defensive assets and he barley could shoot from outside 14 feet
Asmosis Jones honestly the top 8 players he picked as in the goat coversaiotn are the top 8 best players of all time and in my opinion they all could be in any order and it would still work
@@datguitarplayer1656 Not too sure about that but I see where you come from. I feel Steph personally plays basketball better than Magic and KD is more unguardable than Kareem but I guess Worthy is better than Klay then. But yeah I guess you're right tbh Magic = Steph, Kareem > KD, Worthy = Klay. Also I'm measuring from a talent perspective, not necessarily a greatness perspective. So I am not taking into account Magic's impressive accolades. also is it fair to truly consider Magic a top 5 player when he arguably had the GOAT at that time playing in his team. Kareem considerably raised the floor of that team. I think Magic is more like top 7ish
@@datguitarplayer1656 I saw it, in college...could not believe it. Everything, Magic did everything. We watched and kept looking at each other, "Did you SEE that?!"
@@yeatdagoat173 Yep, it is fair. When the Lakers got Magic in 1979, Kareem was 32 years old and had 10 years of NBA mileage on his body. Was still a hell of a player, but past his prime. Magic is definitely one of the 5 greatest players of all time. As far as Curry is concerned, he works extremely hard to get open for his shots because he's constantly harassed by defenders chasing him around trying to stop him. It makes his shooting ability all the more admirable. Basically though, he's a supremely gifted shooter, nothing more.
I wish he could've kept playing, and I really wish he would have done what he said originally and became a free agent point gaurd after his comeback season. Maybe the Lakers would have traded Van Exel and kept Magic? His career was so impressive, but unfortunately cut short. I imagine Magic and Jordan would have faced each other at least one more time in the finals if he'd been able to keep playing. And on that note one often overlooked fact is that Worthy was hurt and that's why they could put Pippen on Magic in the 91 finals. It would have been a totally different series if Worthy was healthy.
@@LordArrack1 sounds like you do not know much about Magic... what do you mean for "few years" for a player that won his first title in his rookie year and become the MVP of the finals... maybe you meant "few months". Have a look at game 6 of 1980's finals. If we have a look at the facts then sounds like we should revert the names in your assertion: Magic won 3 championships in his first 6 years in NBA and was MVP on two of them on his first and on his 3rd year in the league. While Jordan won his first title and MVP final on his 8th year in NBA... Please have a look at the facts, thanks
I love this series thus far. I love how instead of making a case for a singular goat, you are honoring eight guys who should be treated as basketball gods. It’s a lot more exciting to have 8 mythical figures than just one god.
that's why i never say this or this one is the Goat...coz it's impossible in team sports that's why i see it the same way...like in layers and on the top these 8 would be there with Kobe , Malone , Oscar , Barkley etc etc
I was a Celtic fan through out all of Magics career, but I have to say I think Magic was the GOAT. Better than Bird Jordan or Lebron because you could have put Magic on any team and he would not only take on the right role needed for that team but would elevate all his team mates as well.
Bird and Magic's rivalry, and then eventual truly honest friendship could teach this world a lot of valuable lessons right now. I was a boy through this Era of the NBA and that gift they shared was one of the greatest things that sport has ever taught me.
F*ck Bird, you pale people will never cease trying to use Bird as a parasite with Magic as the Host. They played two different positions, they are not goddamn, Simease twins.
I was a boy growing up in Terre Haute in those days! In fact ISU lost their first game that year on my birthday 🎂 But guess what? I'd say MAGIC is honestly my 2nd favorite all time player. Larry & MAGIC taught us a LOT.
Absolutely, Clayton, your content is as good as it gets. People will find it just like we have. Great stuff diving into each vid's premise and sticking to it, simply Making the Case... Keep it up!!
9:00 a tremendous point that is more than overlooked. The 80's NBA was literally a combination of the best of 2 leagues, the combined NBA/ABA. It wasn't like the post-expansion 90's where the NBA stretched it's talent thin in order to populate expansion team rosters. The 80's NBA was like an All-Star Dream Team made up of the best of the the NBA and ABA.
Over time as you watch the game you realize that the single player GOAT argument is just for the pundits to have something to say. This series reinforces that better than a 10 hour docuseries does for the opposite.
This is a really good point. For the most part, I think NBA fans have the same top 9, we just argue about the order, and generally those arguments are pretty baseless. You can argue any of them to be better than any of the other for the most part depending on what you value in a player more, so there really isn't an answer. (When I say 9 players, I'm referring to the 8 he has videos for plus Kobe. Most people have a top 10 consisting of those 9, and the 10th player seems to vary, but it's often Shaq. Personally, I would rank them Jordan, Kareem, LeBron, Russell, Wilt, Bird, Magic, Duncan, Kobe, but there are very few rankings of these 9 that I would take issues with.)
mj is the goat....I can boil it down to one thing....he was the best scorer defender and retired twice on top and never needed a third option really.....he should have 8 titles 7 mvps...the dude was not along for the ride like kareem was or duncan for their final ring he wasn't a role player like 2000 kobe he didn't need stacked frontlines like bird or a big three like lebron he didn't need a 3rd double digit scorer in the 97 playoffs toni was his third option avg. 7.9 ppg and pippen was down to 19.8 ppg and that season mj was robbed mvp with a 69 win season dealing with many injuries to frontline players like luc rodman and toni all year ....he led his team in scoring every night and outscored whoever was on the other team every series...what more do I need to say?
@@raw5889 I can maybe see the case for Shaq over Kobe if you value dominance in their primes way above longevity, winning, and accolades, but Hakeem? Really? What is the case for Hakeem over Kobe? Kobe was better in his prime, dominant for much longer, has a much more impressive set of accolades, and he won a lot more. What area does Hakeem beat Kobe in by enough to offset all that?
Any time Larry Bird is speechless, you've done something great. I remember that Game 4 junior sky hook and how quiet it got in the Garden. Great hooping by two great teams.
I lived in Dallas in the 80's and had the good fortune to see the Lakers v. Mavs several times live. Video doesn't do justice to some of the assists Magic dealt out -- he'd put so much spin on the bounce pass that the ball would bend around the defense, right into the hands of Worthy, Scott, or Cooper. All of this at full speed -- those guys didn't even have to adjust their stride.
I can't believe these Making The Case videos haven't hit a million views yet. Honestly some of the finest mini-documentary masterpieces I've ever seen on TH-cam.
Man I miss those days! I grew up 50 miles from East Lansing and rooted for Magic & MSU, yet when I learned about Larry Bird and watched him play I was sold... They really did put the NBA on their backs and changed it forever. Greatest rivalry in all of sports.
My favorite individual feats ever are Magic filling in for Kareem, Jordan dropping 63 in double OT on the 86 Celtics, and Lebron scoring 29 of the Cavs last 30 in game 5 of the 07 ECF. All 3 games were on the road and were the youngest examples of each player rising above the occasion into greatness.
Just gonna say. This is the best basketball series/medium I've ever consumed. Better than the Last Dance, SB Nation, ESPN or anything. It's just so damn good my friend, you're one hell of a narrator and filmmaker
When you watch Magic, you constantly ask yourself "how?" With other greats you usually know how they do what they do, they are just that fast, that accurate etc. But there is something about a man's mind being so much superiour to us mortals'.
RAW asshitshow i wouldn’t say that, it’s definitely close. You could make a case for both. I’d say they’re equal when you combine their flashiness, fundamentals, and iq. In fact they’re basically the same. Pull up a passing reel of both, there’s no difference.
I'm still in aww!! An find myself rewinding all the time cause some those moves an passes he was puttin on was just unbelievable!!! The League hasn't seen anything like since or during or make that in its History!! He was one of a kind No Dout about it!!! Put it in slow motion kids an watch wat the man was doin all them yrs ago wow!!!!
he really meant to say the lakers have the best team ever....I mean worthy kareem magic scott mcadoo cooper ...thats just unfair....they always had wilkes or nixon before scott and worthy they got a.c. and mychal after mcadoo as kareem aged and rambis left
Damn when I watched the Larry Bird vid I expected you to have 100k+ Your so underrated and you will definitely blow up soon. Happy to be here before you blow up
I watched all of your videos, and thank you for making those for us. They were all very much fun to watch! But let me tell you this: Of all the videos you have so far made for these series, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you made the best case (by far!) for Kareem. After watching your video, I am entirely convinced that he indeed IS the GOAT. Yet, I am looking forward to your MJ video. But as of now, I highly doubt if you can make an even better case for him! Again, thanks, and my best to you!
This video's three years old, but I just came across your "Making the Case" series and I'm loving it. Well edited, excellent voice narration and writing, compelling arguments that give everyone a fair shake. Well done, @Clayton Crowley.
And Magic said Jordan was the best he has ever seen. But all in all that trio, Jordan, Magic and Bird, are the 3 greatest players of all time. After those three are Kareem and Kobe.
@@Zamppa86 Love Magic. and Kareem, I grew up in LA listlening to Chick Hearn almost everynight. Until Kobe came, I thought they were the greatest. And maybe they are. They have a special place in my heart. The way I recncile the debate is: Kobe is the most skillfull player of all time and Magic is the greatest.
Im not even a huge basketball fan, but ever since discovering your "making the case" docs last night i have watched every one, and sent links to my father and brother. Great work. Thank you.
If you want to throw in a "silly hypothetical", like a team of five GOAT's vs a team of five GOAT's, you might want to consider how well a five man team of Magic Johnson's would do.
Wow, I've always been fascinated by the big names who created their own legacy in any field of life. Your great package and more importantly your unique commentary, really does help people appreciate every player in their own right. This fascination with putting one as the goat seems to be a mute point and something that robs way too many greats of their deserved plaudits. I tip my hat to you sir.
Stumbled across this content by accident and I must say it’s probably the best basketball series on TH-cam! Definitely puts certain things into perspective that I may have not known before. I’m 23 so I never really got to watch Magic and Bird play live just through stories so it’s very interesting too learn the game this way. Very good job on the other vids in the series as well and I look forward to the next video!
@@BallerBrain when you make everyone on your team better by being a 6’9” point with 5 chips, who revolutionized the point guard position, who can play every position-even center- why can he not be the Goat.
Very good video. Thanks! As much as I love Magic, to me, he has only one chance to be in the GOAT conversation: If we count only 12 years and completely discount Defense.
I’ve always been shocked Magic doesn’t get more GOAT attention. During the 80s it seemed like he and Bird were battling it out for top dog (magic winning 2 of 3) and I’m not so sure magic wasn’t the guy.
This is a good video. Thank you for sharing. I like that you make the case for each top player, Bird, Magic, Russell, Jordan, etc without claiming that one is definitively the GOAT 🙂
Love these but I don’t see how Kobe can’t be in one of these videos. Man was robbed of two mvps, led one of the worst teams to the playoffs multiple years, had 81 points. Anytime someone shoots something in the trash can, hamper anything who’s the name do you hear? Only reason he isn’t considered higher one the list was the years he didn’t have Shaq or Pau. Look at the all nba and all defense teams he won. Man is very underrated.
@@thegreathutt why do NBA arguments always come down to wild over exaggerations like this? Kobe is not the goat, but the vast majority of people put him top 10. Kobe not being top 10 would be like Kareem or LeBron not being top 5. For the most part, there seems to be a general consensus on who 9 or the 10 best players in NBA history are: Jordan, LeBron, Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Magic, Bird, Duncan, and Kobe. The majority of people have these 9 guys in their top 10 in some order. You can debate the order all day, but you'd be hard pressed to find more than 1 or 2 players that have a case over any one of them. The closest outside of them are the likes of Shaq, Oscar, Hakeem, West, Curry, Durant, Erving, Moses, and Dirk. I don't think there's any really strong case for any of them to be over any of the 9 guys I just listed, but even so, to pretend any one of those 9 isn't even *close* to the top 10 is a massive stretch. Curry and Durant will likely have cases in a year or two, but other than that, nobody really does.
I just think it’s blasphemous and ludicrous to say Kobe Bean was overrated. I mean for 15-16 years he was recognized world wide as 1-2 best player in the world. Even the players in the league put him number one. I’m a die hard fan but I mean man come on, the man was a pure assassin and killer on both ends of the floor. I put him on my top 5 any day of the week because when you need a bucket, someone shut down or anything else he was the man to go to. They say ball hog but look at his prime, who was he gonna give it to smush or kwame or the unforgettable Luke Walton?!?! Because if that’s the argument hell I just don’t know hoops.
Maagic is the Goat he had more ways of impacting a game in his arsenal than anyone and a point guard legit point guard not a big man handling the ball Rookie Year Won the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP defeating Dr.Js 76ers. The GOAT FOR SURE !!!!
This might be the best basketball content I've come across in a few years. Idk who u r buddy, but PLEASE keep up the great work! Knowledgeable, in depth, inbaised, and funnto watch!! The perfect storm for a sports history junkie like me!❤
5:37 Magic is one of my three favorite players, but you said yourself that context is important when it comes to stats. One benefit to retiring during your prime is preserving your career averages. Magic actually stopped leading the league in assists once Stockton became a starter. The former reached 13+ apg once while the latter did so five times in a row. As for the playoffs, Magic played more postseason games especially in his prime than Stockton, leading to a higher career total. Of course, you can present other aspects in favor of Magic's passing, but I just wanted to clarify that particular detail.
Stop some nonsense. Magic has 2346 assist (190 games) in the playoff. Stockton has 1839 (182 games). There's a difference of 507 assist, but Magic only played 8 more games than Stockton. Stockton was a great passer, but he was no Magic. Much of his assist were by Pick and Roll. Russell Westbrook averaged more than 10 assist per game over 4 seasons. But he was nowhere near Magic in passing ability. So it's not only the numbers, also the quality of the assist. Not only Magic delivered in the regular season, he also did it in the playoff...
@@leonardoyi3183 Keyphrases: "especially in his prime", "you can present other aspects in favor of Magic's passing". I'm very well aware of how clutch Magic was and definitely raised his game in the playoffs, but he already played 186 postseason games in his first 12 years as opposed to Stockton's 107 (14 of which was under 19 minutes). Averaging 10 assists for both already results in a 790 difference.
I started watching at the end of magic/bird, so don't have many memories of them. But now in my late 30s, I REALLY have enjoyed watching Magic. He was definitely 20-30 years ahead of his time in play-style, and he really did have no flaws.
magic might have won even more titles if pat riley had not run the lakers into the ground prior to the 89 finals and then they rebelled on riley and forced him to leave only to bring in mike dunleavy who had a terrible system that made sam perkins and vlade divac the focal points of the offense
I think Magic is one of those old school players who could dominate in any era. In today's league, 6'8+ PGs are still a match-up nightmare and destroying the league. Lebron, Ben Simmons and Giannis are all top players in the game. Magic would have to tweak his game slightly (look to score more & shoot more jumpers) but he would benefit greatly from all the spacing. Magic running a fast break in today's game would be deadly! I don't get why people compare Lebron to MJ when he's more like a bigger version of Magic with better scoring abilities.
Magic did develop into a very decent shooter at the end of his career. He shooted more thres, and was great at the free throw line. He would probably be a lot better shooter if he was drafted today.
@@leonardoyi3183 Not saying he didn't improve his shot. I'm saying he would have to adjust his game slightly, the way most players (regardless of their shooting abilities) have had to do. Even current players have had to tweak their games for the modern NBA. Lebron didn't come into the league shooting a lot of threes but has been gradually shooting more and more. The Raptors tried to get Derozan to shoot more 3s instead of 2 point jumpers. Giannis has had to develop a jumper. The list goes on, but I think you get my point.
@@theOnyFUFU Listen, when magic entered the league for the 1979-1980 nba season, if i'm not mistaken, that was the first season with the 3 point line. So being said that, players that entered the league by that time, weren't used to practice the three point shot. If Magic were a rookie this past season, he would be a far better 3 point shooter than he was 30 years ago from day one, just by the simple fact that now all players practice the 3 point shot from the beginning. Magic would be scary in this era. Lebron James did come to the NBA in an ERA when the 3 point shot was as important as it is today, but he has developed a good enough 3 point shot to play in todays era.
Man people forget about the '88-89 Lakers team that swept all 3 of their opponents in the playoffs on their way to a possible 3-peat. Unfortunately Riley went overboard in his conditioning sessions before the Finals which directly caused both Magic and Scott to blow their hamstrings and that Lakers got swept w/o them. What we be thinking now about Magic if he had 6 rings?
Magic will forever be the greatest Point Guard in NBA history...no argument. Next to Marovich, no one can pass like him...he was way ahead of his time...and the ONLY player to play EVERY position on the floor to WIN an NBA Championship...as a freaking ROOKIE!!! Stop it already, Magic would take a dump on the league if he were playing now...so would BIRD...come on now.
@Leland Joseph I was making a comment on his passing skills and prowess...I didn't say anything about his defense or the lack thereof...I'm still of the opinion that he, along with Bird would have a great command of the league if they were playing today...
Sensational video! Great job. 🙌👏👏👏👏 I grew up watching Magic and Bird rivalry and learned that there is no GOAT in bball only great players who make plays when it matters. The best players never shy from being in the spotlight and always remain humble in their confidence. Magic was one of a kind! I was lucky to be a bball fan and learn the game when he was having such an impact on it.
If you grew up in the '80s, you feel like Magic is the GOAT. If you grew up in the '90s, you feel like Jordan is the GOAT. If you are growing up now, you feel like Lebron is the GOAT. I think you have to look at how impressionable you are as a child. When you see greatness for the first time in real time, its hard to shake that image. Numbers are the only thing you can look out, and which numbers you think are most important can vary wildly from person to person. Its not that basketball was better when you were a kid, its that life was better when you were a kid, and everything that happened at that time feels grander than it does when you are an adult, and the magic (no pun intended) starts to disappear from your reality.
Of course, the GOAT debate is after all subjective even though there are persistent fans out there claiming that it’s ‘objective’ in their favor of course ( I’m talking to you diehard MJ and LBJ fans ). It all comes down to which player impressed you the most when you were the most interested. And longetivity is important hence why they all have strong cases. Its exactly as you say it is. If you grew up watching the 80’s its Magic, 90’s it’s MJ and nowadays it’s Lebron. Every single sport has this. Tennis has the Federer - Nadal - Djokovic debate. People from 00’s believe that either Federer or Nadal deserves it, people now believe that Djokovic is the best. In the end it all comes down to the time period in which they’ve played and personal preferences. So just like tennis there’s no definitive objective answer.
RAW asshitshow if you look at stats then players like Wilt, Russel and Kareem have stronger cases than MJ. There is no objective answer as all people have different opinions of the ‘goat’ one might look at rings, others might look at stats and there are some who look at dominance. Lebron also has better stats than MJ since his efficiency rating is the highest ever I believe. Just looking at PPG etc does not make a player the goat imo. But you might believe otherwise. Wilt should then be awarded the goat award since he averaged 50ppg for a season at one point
Thank you for the absolutely breathtaking narrative eloquence and historical reverence you chose to impart upon my favorite player of all time. I am really excited to watch how you will choose to evolve your gift and your craft. A pleasure to watch and reminisce.
excellent point with the transition of leadership. if Shaq and Kobe had the leadership skills of Kareem and Magic, the 2000's would've been completely different.
This is a fantastic series. I've been watching them in order, so far I've watched Russell, Wilt, and Kareem, now this one. For the first time, I'm not fully sold. I mean, yes, you've made the point that Magic was a phenomenal basketball player, truly one of the greatest ever. But the previous ones I've watched, I was convinced. Even after watching this, I'm not fully convinced that I would rank Magic Johnson as the GOAT above the previous three. Maybe if he had played longer than 12 years. But there can only be one GOAT, and in order to truly be the greatest, I think you have to have extraordinary longevity as well as an unbelievable prime. So far, I'm leaning towards Kareem, but I haven't watched Bird/MJ/Duncan/LeBron yet. Damn, I'm enjoying this series!
@@samuelperezgarcia bruh, all of them played for a long time and all of them is an extraordinary pass first point guard. You seriously think that none of them can't fill in a 10 minute highlight reel of only passing? They are all the same level or better in passing than Bird too. Bird is a better scorer and rebounder but definitely not passing.
@@sandigunawan4947 A 10 minutes video with their passes would became boring after 2 minutes. And Bird was a super great passer.But, as a SF, he was not playmaking and carrying the ball all the time.If he were, he would average 10+ assists per game as well.
@@noticemesenpai4452 I wasn't trying to make a point to bolster Magic's case for the GOAT. I just thought a healthy Worthy would have made it a great series.
Thanks for the video and the smart intelligent thoughts on it. Magic is with no doubt one of the 5 greatest players of all time and it does qualify for the GOAT debate as you have well presented. You left one very important thing out, the year he retired the Lakers lost in first round with nothing to do against the Blazers. It became very obvious that without Magic, Worthy, Scott and company were just another good team in the league. Nobody has ever made this teammates betther than Magic, and being basketball a team sport, he ranks absolutely at the top of basketball´s history.
This is such a good video and series. You make better content than so many youtubers its crazy how these videos haven't blown up more. Thank you for your efforts
thebeatleswin1 to explain, I meant that you were trying to act holier than thou and act as if you were above me because I was looking for community appreciation. Which I was not, generally liking a comment is stating that you agree with the statements contained within said comment.
Fun stuff to watch. I just burned through all your "Making the Case" vids last night. You have a very professional sound and delivery. I don't sub to TH-cam channels as a rule. In fact, I only currenly am subbed to one but you just made my second. Good job and keep 'em coming!
I’ll chime in here. Magic Johnson is the most game changing revolutionary player in the history of basketball 🏀. I’ve had the chance to play against him in 2 games in LA. He reminded me of a superb baseball pitcher. He’s playing chess while the others are playing checkers. He’s the only player I could watch play and then step out on the court and be better, much better. I owe no player as much gratitude and appreciation as I do Magic. As Bird stated “ simply unbelievable”He is and always will be the greatest basketball player Bird and myself ever saw. Much love to Magic.
At the risk of brown nosing I am going to say that Clayton Crawley is the GOAT in creating a series that makes us weigh the pros and cons of who is truly the greatest basketball player ever. Well done Sir!!
This is a line that i first saw attributed to Stockton but applies to MJ as well. "When Jordan has the ball in his hands he's a threat to score. When (he) has the ball in his hands, everyone is a threat."
Good call! Isiah Thomas basically said the same thing (minus the comparison to Jokic). Instead of revolutionizing the point guard position, Magic would be revolutionizing the center position in today's NBA...
Jokic is making simple passes but effective because his long hands size and move allow for easy passes. He stands in the middle and passes around. It is very effective passing but not best passing
I watched Larry and this video.. love the way you analyse these great players.. could not even noticed how time passed. MJ is next... thanks for the great job...
Today I’m going to be making the case: for this as the greatest basketball series of all times!
It's up there for sure
J Cantrell you know when it’s up there that shit stuck there
it is a great series but I think Game of Zones is best
@@AFR0MAMBA OK now I have to check it out
Big facts
Really enjoy this series. It's refreshing to have this GOAT conversation in a way which celebrates the game's greatest legends without tearing them down.
Yeah it’s not like how other players are worse just about how they are better
i think honestly no b.s. magic is the 8th best player of all time..not trying to hate but he had teams stacked he had riley the coach he had kareem he had the weak west to dominate unlike say the 80' east elite and he had a pass first mentality no real defensive assets and he barley could shoot from outside 14 feet
Asmosis Jones honestly the top 8 players he picked as in the goat coversaiotn are the top 8 best players of all time and in my opinion they all could be in any order and it would still work
That’s not the way a debate works, realistically you can’t have 8 greatest of all time’s
Asmosis Jones smoking. Not including centers, he’s number two after Jordan.
Peaceful transition of power other than Kareem to Magic: Admiral to Duncan.
Thanks for pointing that out... David Robinson
Also: Dirk to Luka
Lebron to davis
Curry to Durant
@@Gabriel-lg8ik we dont know yet, we will see over the coming years. Lebron is still the leader
42-15-7 on the road to clinch a finals as a rookie. Stepping in for KAREEM.
@@datguitarplayer1656 He had the greatest player of all time on his team and people think he's a top 5 player
X@@yeatdagoat173 zc6 """" qq1aa
@@datguitarplayer1656 Not too sure about that but I see where you come from. I feel Steph personally plays basketball better than Magic and KD is more unguardable than Kareem but I guess Worthy is better than Klay then. But yeah I guess you're right tbh Magic = Steph, Kareem > KD, Worthy = Klay. Also I'm measuring from a talent perspective, not necessarily a greatness perspective. So I am not taking into account Magic's impressive accolades. also is it fair to truly consider Magic a top 5 player when he arguably had the GOAT at that time playing in his team. Kareem considerably raised the floor of that team. I think Magic is more like top 7ish
@@datguitarplayer1656 I saw it, in college...could not believe it. Everything, Magic did everything. We watched and kept looking at each other, "Did you SEE that?!"
@@yeatdagoat173
Yep, it is fair. When the Lakers got Magic in 1979, Kareem was 32 years old and had 10 years of NBA mileage on his body. Was still a hell of a player, but past his prime. Magic is definitely one of the 5 greatest players of all time. As far as Curry is concerned, he works extremely hard to get open for his shots because he's constantly harassed by defenders chasing him around trying to stop him. It makes his shooting ability all the more admirable. Basically though, he's a supremely gifted shooter, nothing more.
Another thing I found extremely impressive was his comeback After 4 years away from the game, he was still really good and a matchup nightmare.
And scored triple doubles playing forward
What if... he did not have to stop for those years? would we remeber Mchael Jordan in the same way?
I wish he could've kept playing, and I really wish he would have done what he said originally and became a free agent point gaurd after his comeback season. Maybe the Lakers would have traded Van Exel and kept Magic? His career was so impressive, but unfortunately cut short. I imagine Magic and Jordan would have faced each other at least one more time in the finals if he'd been able to keep playing. And on that note one often overlooked fact is that Worthy was hurt and that's why they could put Pippen on Magic in the 91 finals. It would have been a totally different series if Worthy was healthy.
yccmzimmy probably not, same thing with Larry bird
@@LordArrack1 sounds like you do not know much about Magic... what do you mean for "few years" for a player that won his first title in his rookie year and become the MVP of the finals... maybe you meant "few months".
Have a look at game 6 of 1980's finals.
If we have a look at the facts then sounds like we should revert the names in your assertion:
Magic won 3 championships in his first 6 years in NBA and was MVP on two of them on his first and on his 3rd year in the league.
While Jordan won his first title and MVP final on his 8th year in NBA...
Please have a look at the facts, thanks
I love this series thus far. I love how instead of making a case for a singular goat, you are honoring eight guys who should be treated as basketball gods. It’s a lot more exciting to have 8 mythical figures than just one god.
Now you know how the Israelites felt
@@derekralston5967 lol
But it’s not accurate.
that's why i never say this or this one is the Goat...coz it's impossible in team sports
that's why i see it the same way...like in layers and on the top these 8 would be there with Kobe , Malone , Oscar , Barkley etc etc
this for me is polytheism vs montheism debate in a nutshell
Thought of the Day:
If Magic were born 25 years later, people today would swear up and down that he'd be way too soft to play in the 80s.
Easily
Honestly i feel like magic is lebron but less in terms of athleticism
For real!
I was a Celtic fan through out all of Magics career, but I have to say I think Magic was the GOAT. Better than Bird Jordan or Lebron because you could have put Magic on any team and he would not only take on the right role needed for that team but would elevate all his team mates as well.
@@robmarlett5078 Doesn't Lebron also does that?
Bird and Magic's rivalry, and then eventual truly honest friendship could teach this world a lot of valuable lessons right now. I was a boy through this Era of the NBA and that gift they shared was one of the greatest things that sport has ever taught me.
F*ck Bird, you pale people will never cease trying to use Bird as a parasite with Magic as the Host. They played two different positions, they are not goddamn, Simease twins.
WOW! THAT is SO TRUTHFUL and well said! I was there with you as a youngster watching those two go at it! What a special place in time for me!
I was a boy growing up in Terre Haute in those days! In fact ISU lost their first game that year on my birthday 🎂
But guess what? I'd say MAGIC is honestly my 2nd favorite all time player. Larry & MAGIC taught us a LOT.
When I was younger I used to think that the Orlando Magic was named after Magic Johnson
Same
Idk why but this is fucking hilarious
I highly suspect it is true.
I thought they made the team for him when I was younger 😂
That can't entirely be disproven
This channel severely underrated and the content is amazing. This channel will blow up really soon
Definitely
Absolutely, Clayton, your content is as good as it gets. People will find it just like we have.
Great stuff diving into each vid's premise and sticking to it, simply Making the Case...
Keep it up!!
Hope so. It's quality.
Seriously
@@hunterjames4433 seriously what?
Wasted the worlds best pornstar name on a basketball career
Probably did some but then got aids
What?
Why is this so funny bruh 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@teecollins339 ong I'm dying 😭😭😭
@@jadentesai oh my god...
9:00 a tremendous point that is more than overlooked. The 80's NBA was literally a combination of the best of 2 leagues, the combined NBA/ABA. It wasn't like the post-expansion 90's where the NBA stretched it's talent thin in order to populate expansion team rosters.
The 80's NBA was like an All-Star Dream Team made up of the best of the the NBA and ABA.
Over time as you watch the game you realize that the single player GOAT argument is just for the pundits to have something to say. This series reinforces that better than a 10 hour docuseries does for the opposite.
This is a really good point. For the most part, I think NBA fans have the same top 9, we just argue about the order, and generally those arguments are pretty baseless. You can argue any of them to be better than any of the other for the most part depending on what you value in a player more, so there really isn't an answer.
(When I say 9 players, I'm referring to the 8 he has videos for plus Kobe. Most people have a top 10 consisting of those 9, and the 10th player seems to vary, but it's often Shaq. Personally, I would rank them Jordan, Kareem, LeBron, Russell, Wilt, Bird, Magic, Duncan, Kobe, but there are very few rankings of these 9 that I would take issues with.)
mj is the goat....I can boil it down to one thing....he was the best scorer defender and retired twice on top and never needed a third option really.....he should have 8 titles 7 mvps...the dude was not along for the ride like kareem was or duncan for their final ring he wasn't a role player like 2000 kobe he didn't need stacked frontlines like bird or a big three like lebron he didn't need a 3rd double digit scorer in the 97 playoffs toni was his third option avg. 7.9 ppg and pippen was down to 19.8 ppg and that season mj was robbed mvp with a 69 win season dealing with many injuries to frontline players like luc rodman and toni all year ....he led his team in scoring every night and outscored whoever was on the other team every series...what more do I need to say?
Not really. It might be a more complex question than people think but there still is a definitive answer. There’s no such thing as multiple greatests.
Amber Bastianelli shaq and Hakeem are both better than kobe.
@@raw5889 I can maybe see the case for Shaq over Kobe if you value dominance in their primes way above longevity, winning, and accolades, but Hakeem? Really? What is the case for Hakeem over Kobe? Kobe was better in his prime, dominant for much longer, has a much more impressive set of accolades, and he won a lot more. What area does Hakeem beat Kobe in by enough to offset all that?
Any time Larry Bird is speechless, you've done something great. I remember that Game 4 junior sky hook and how quiet it got in the Garden. Great hooping by two great teams.
I lived in Dallas in the 80's and had the good fortune to see the Lakers v. Mavs several times live. Video doesn't do justice to some of the assists Magic dealt out -- he'd put so much spin on the bounce pass that the ball would bend around the defense, right into the hands of Worthy, Scott, or Cooper. All of this at full speed -- those guys didn't even have to adjust their stride.
I can't believe these Making The Case videos haven't hit a million views yet. Honestly some of the finest mini-documentary masterpieces I've ever seen on TH-cam.
When I looked at your sub count I was expecting to see like 10-20 thousand. Your videos are really high quality man.
Man I miss those days! I grew up 50 miles from East Lansing and rooted for Magic & MSU, yet when I learned about Larry Bird and watched him play I was sold... They really did put the NBA on their backs and changed it forever. Greatest rivalry in all of sports.
My favorite individual feats ever are Magic filling in for Kareem, Jordan dropping 63 in double OT on the 86 Celtics, and Lebron scoring 29 of the Cavs last 30 in game 5 of the 07 ECF. All 3 games were on the road and were the youngest examples of each player rising above the occasion into greatness.
But not Kobe Bryant scoring 81 in a game, or 61 in his final game after 20 years in the league???
A game that the Bulls lost? And where Baylor's record (the Lakers won that game) of 61 only needed 48 minutes instead of 58?
@@cameronnovak he was highlighting the greatness of young players , kobe wasn't that young at that time
Jordan lost that game.
@@thorntonwilliams3851 no the Bulls lost that game
You do a phenominal job..Extremely thorough
Just gonna say. This is the best basketball series/medium I've ever consumed.
Better than the Last Dance, SB Nation, ESPN or anything. It's just so damn good my friend, you're one hell of a narrator and filmmaker
When you watch Magic, you constantly ask yourself "how?"
With other greats you usually know how they do what they do, they are just that fast, that accurate etc. But there is something about a man's mind being so much superiour to us mortals'.
if you watch this season lebron has played a lot like magic in 87
Asmosis Jones as great a passer he is he literally can’t scrape magics boots.
@@razkable lebrons passing is great but Magic was godlike
RAW asshitshow LeBron is better, magic is more... well, magic at plays and passes
RAW asshitshow i wouldn’t say that, it’s definitely close. You could make a case for both. I’d say they’re equal when you combine their flashiness, fundamentals, and iq. In fact they’re basically the same. Pull up a passing reel of both, there’s no difference.
Magic is definitly in my top 3. Amazing point guard, amazing first year in NBA, 5/9 titles, amazing smile and personnality.
I have him at 7, someone that didn't get a making the case video is my 6
I'm still in aww!! An find myself rewinding all the time cause some those moves an passes he was puttin on was just unbelievable!!! The League hasn't seen anything like since or during or make that in its History!! He was one of a kind No Dout about it!!! Put it in slow motion kids an watch wat the man was doin all them yrs ago wow!!!!
Lol, was doing the exact same thing. Some of those passes were just mind boggling.
Bird: Magic is just a great basketball player. The best I've ever seen."
he really meant to say the lakers have the best team ever....I mean worthy kareem magic scott mcadoo cooper ...thats just unfair....they always had wilkes or nixon before scott and worthy they got a.c. and mychal after mcadoo as kareem aged and rambis left
Magic also said the same about Larry though
Asmosis Jones Celtics had 6th man hofees
Light Bulb Plant no he didn’t magic has said before that Jordan was much better than Larry.
5 -iwnl- he may have claimed Larry was the best before Jordan became Jordan.
17:00 as a lifelong Lakers fan I almost felt sorry for Larry when he said this
....almost
Damn when I watched the Larry Bird vid I expected you to have 100k+ Your so underrated and you will definitely blow up soon. Happy to be here before you blow up
After watching this great series, I'm convinced that all 8 of the players Clayton focuses on were the greatest ever. An 8 way tie.
Hey man I just have to say I love these videos and these are amazingly high quality not only in editing but omg this is some really well done writing
I normally don't watch youtube videos more than once, but this series is just THAT good.
I watched all of your videos, and thank you for making those for us. They were all very much fun to watch! But let me tell you this: Of all the videos you have so far made for these series, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you made the best case (by far!) for Kareem. After watching your video, I am entirely convinced that he indeed IS the GOAT. Yet, I am looking forward to your MJ video. But as of now, I highly doubt if you can make an even better case for him!
Again, thanks, and my best to you!
This video's three years old, but I just came across your "Making the Case" series and I'm loving it. Well edited, excellent voice narration and writing, compelling arguments that give everyone a fair shake. Well done, @Clayton Crowley.
Larry Bird said Magic Johnson was the greatest player he ever seen. I agree wit Larry on this one
That was until they both met Jordan....
And Magic said Jordan was the best he has ever seen.
But all in all that trio, Jordan, Magic and Bird, are the 3 greatest players of all time. After those three are Kareem and Kobe.
@@Zamppa86 lebron is better than all of them except jordan. respect the opinion though.
@@Zamppa86 Love Magic. and Kareem, I grew up in LA listlening to Chick Hearn almost everynight. Until Kobe came, I thought they were the greatest. And maybe they are. They have a special place in my heart. The way I recncile the debate is: Kobe is the most skillfull player of all time and Magic is the greatest.
Magic Johnson 🎩 original 6 feet i8 nches point guard
Im not even a huge basketball fan, but ever since discovering your "making the case" docs last night i have watched every one, and sent links to my father and brother. Great work. Thank you.
If you want to throw in a "silly hypothetical", like a team of five GOAT's vs a team of five GOAT's, you might want to consider how well a five man team of Magic Johnson's would do.
Wow, I've always been fascinated by the big names who created their own legacy in any field of life. Your great package and more importantly your unique commentary, really does help people appreciate every player in their own right. This fascination with putting one as the goat seems to be a mute point and something that robs way too many greats of their deserved plaudits. I tip my hat to you sir.
Magic is the guy who made me fall in love with the game
Original 6feet 8 inches point guard
Stumbled across this content by accident and I must say it’s probably the best basketball series on TH-cam! Definitely puts certain things into perspective that I may have not known before. I’m 23 so I never really got to watch Magic and Bird play live just through stories so it’s very interesting too learn the game this way. Very good job on the other vids in the series as well and I look forward to the next video!
Imagine how much more he could have accomplished given more time.
I’m pretty impressed with how well you made these videos. This could totally be a TV series even. Send these into ESPN or something bro.
I really believe magic was the greatest of all time, he made everyone around him great and no one else had consistently done that.
Original 6 feet 8 inches point guard
He is the goat together woth Bird. These two are the goat.
@@innosantofacts
Finally someone who understands the greatness of Magic Johnson. Great video
I got Magic 6th all time, but calling Magic the GOAT is a stretch.
@@BallerBrain when you make everyone on your team better by being a 6’9” point with 5 chips, who revolutionized the point guard position, who can play every position-even center- why can he not be the Goat.
@@d0cn0tes Jordan, Bill Russell, and Lebron exist,
@@BallerBrain all greats but of all the players that ever played on the nba, I’m choosing Magic as my #1 draft . This is why he is the Goat
@@d0cn0tes Well I think you're making a mistake if you don't take Jordan, Lebron, or Wilt with the first pick.
“Johnson came into the league and injected life into it.” 🤣🤣🤣 my mind is in places it shouldn’t be. Don’t be like me and think with your “Johnson” 🤣🤣
i see what you did there
Very good video. Thanks! As much as I love Magic, to me, he has only one chance to be in the GOAT conversation: If we count only 12 years and completely discount Defense.
I’ve always been shocked Magic doesn’t get more GOAT attention. During the 80s it seemed like he and Bird were battling it out for top dog (magic winning 2 of 3) and I’m not so sure magic wasn’t the guy.
Cause he’s not.
I have him at 6
In my opinion the goat is Bird and Magic. The two players taken as one.
I don't think Magic or Bird have a strong case compared to Jordan, Lebron, Wilt, or Bill Russell
This is a good video. Thank you for sharing. I like that you make the case for each top player, Bird, Magic, Russell, Jordan, etc without claiming that one is definitively the GOAT 🙂
Love these but I don’t see how Kobe can’t be in one of these videos. Man was robbed of two mvps, led one of the worst teams to the playoffs multiple years, had 81 points. Anytime someone shoots something in the trash can, hamper anything who’s the name do you hear? Only reason he isn’t considered higher one the list was the years he didn’t have Shaq or Pau. Look at the all nba and all defense teams he won. Man is very underrated.
I love kobe but he is overrated as hell.. not top 10 by any stretch
@@thegreathutt why do NBA arguments always come down to wild over exaggerations like this? Kobe is not the goat, but the vast majority of people put him top 10. Kobe not being top 10 would be like Kareem or LeBron not being top 5. For the most part, there seems to be a general consensus on who 9 or the 10 best players in NBA history are: Jordan, LeBron, Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Magic, Bird, Duncan, and Kobe. The majority of people have these 9 guys in their top 10 in some order. You can debate the order all day, but you'd be hard pressed to find more than 1 or 2 players that have a case over any one of them. The closest outside of them are the likes of Shaq, Oscar, Hakeem, West, Curry, Durant, Erving, Moses, and Dirk. I don't think there's any really strong case for any of them to be over any of the 9 guys I just listed, but even so, to pretend any one of those 9 isn't even *close* to the top 10 is a massive stretch. Curry and Durant will likely have cases in a year or two, but other than that, nobody really does.
thegreathutt clearly need to check his resume, look at all the all def teams and all nba teams. Who else has that?
@@shawnramey7736 FoSho!!!
I just think it’s blasphemous and ludicrous to say Kobe Bean was overrated. I mean for 15-16 years he was recognized world wide as 1-2 best player in the world. Even the players in the league put him number one. I’m a die hard fan but I mean man come on, the man was a pure assassin and killer on both ends of the floor. I put him on my top 5 any day of the week because when you need a bucket, someone shut down or anything else he was the man to go to. They say ball hog but look at his prime, who was he gonna give it to smush or kwame or the unforgettable Luke Walton?!?! Because if that’s the argument hell I just don’t know hoops.
Honestly, this is some of the best basketball content I've seen on TH-cam. Keep up the good work
Maagic is the Goat he had more ways of impacting a game in his arsenal than anyone and a point guard legit point guard not a big man handling the ball Rookie Year Won the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP defeating Dr.Js 76ers. The GOAT FOR SURE !!!!
This might be the best basketball content I've come across in a few years. Idk who u r buddy, but PLEASE keep up the great work! Knowledgeable, in depth, inbaised, and funnto watch!! The perfect storm for a sports history junkie like me!❤
5:37 Magic is one of my three favorite players, but you said yourself that context is important when it comes to stats. One benefit to retiring during your prime is preserving your career averages. Magic actually stopped leading the league in assists once Stockton became a starter. The former reached 13+ apg once while the latter did so five times in a row. As for the playoffs, Magic played more postseason games especially in his prime than Stockton, leading to a higher career total. Of course, you can present other aspects in favor of Magic's passing, but I just wanted to clarify that particular detail.
Stop some nonsense. Magic has 2346 assist (190 games) in the playoff. Stockton has 1839 (182 games). There's a difference of 507 assist, but Magic only played 8 more games than Stockton. Stockton was a great passer, but he was no Magic. Much of his assist were by Pick and Roll. Russell Westbrook averaged more than 10 assist per game over 4 seasons. But he was nowhere near Magic in passing ability. So it's not only the numbers, also the quality of the assist. Not only Magic delivered in the regular season, he also did it in the playoff...
@@leonardoyi3183 Keyphrases: "especially in his prime", "you can present other aspects in favor of Magic's passing". I'm very well aware of how clutch Magic was and definitely raised his game in the playoffs, but he already played 186 postseason games in his first 12 years as opposed to Stockton's 107 (14 of which was under 19 minutes). Averaging 10 assists for both already results in a 790 difference.
Ervin johnson was nba first 6feet 8 inches point guard, change nba forever,
@@lloydkline6946 first, is not ervin johnson, it's Earvin Johnson, second he was 6ft9in not 6ft8in...
@@leonardoyi3183 detroit newspapers got an big article on early high school ervin johnson they said he was 6 feet 8 inches
I started watching at the end of magic/bird, so don't have many memories of them. But now in my late 30s, I REALLY have enjoyed watching Magic. He was definitely 20-30 years ahead of his time in play-style, and he really did have no flaws.
magic might have won even more titles if pat riley had not run the lakers into the ground prior to the 89 finals and then they rebelled on riley and forced him to leave only to bring in mike dunleavy who had a terrible system that made sam perkins and vlade divac the focal points of the offense
This is probably the best series of NBA videos on youtube right now!
Congrats on the content, I'm amazed by the quality, deepness and seek of unbias.
I think Magic is one of those old school players who could dominate in any era. In today's league, 6'8+ PGs are still a match-up nightmare and destroying the league. Lebron, Ben Simmons and Giannis are all top players in the game. Magic would have to tweak his game slightly (look to score more & shoot more jumpers) but he would benefit greatly from all the spacing. Magic running a fast break in today's game would be deadly!
I don't get why people compare Lebron to MJ when he's more like a bigger version of Magic with better scoring abilities.
Magic did develop into a very decent shooter at the end of his career. He shooted more thres, and was great at the free throw line. He would probably be a lot better shooter if he was drafted today.
@@leonardoyi3183 Not saying he didn't improve his shot. I'm saying he would have to adjust his game slightly, the way most players (regardless of their shooting abilities) have had to do. Even current players have had to tweak their games for the modern NBA. Lebron didn't come into the league shooting a lot of threes but has been gradually shooting more and more. The Raptors tried to get Derozan to shoot more 3s instead of 2 point jumpers. Giannis has had to develop a jumper. The list goes on, but I think you get my point.
@@theOnyFUFU Listen, when magic entered the league for the 1979-1980 nba season, if i'm not mistaken, that was the first season with the 3 point line. So being said that, players that entered the league by that time, weren't used to practice the three point shot. If Magic were a rookie this past season, he would be a far better 3 point shooter than he was 30 years ago from day one, just by the simple fact that now all players practice the 3 point shot from the beginning. Magic would be scary in this era. Lebron James did come to the NBA in an ERA when the 3 point shot was as important as it is today, but he has developed a good enough 3 point shot to play in todays era.
@@theOnyFUFU if you compare Magic when he retired in 1991 to Giannis 2020, Magic was a far better shooter than Giannis is today.
Great video. Magic was incredible. Nicely done.
Man people forget about the '88-89 Lakers team that swept all 3 of their opponents in the playoffs on their way to a possible 3-peat. Unfortunately Riley went overboard in his conditioning sessions before the Finals which directly caused both Magic and Scott to blow their hamstrings and that Lakers got swept w/o them. What we be thinking now about Magic if he had 6 rings?
The same with now, that collectivelly with Bord they are the real goat.
I was very fortunate to be able to watch both Magic and Bird play. They both saved the NBA.
Magic will forever be the greatest Point Guard in NBA history...no argument. Next to Marovich, no one can pass like him...he was way ahead of his time...and the ONLY player to play EVERY position on the floor to WIN an NBA Championship...as a freaking ROOKIE!!! Stop it already, Magic would take a dump on the league if he were playing now...so would BIRD...come on now.
@Leland Joseph I was making a comment on his passing skills and prowess...I didn't say anything about his defense or the lack thereof...I'm still of the opinion that he, along with Bird would have a great command of the league if they were playing today...
Bird is already playing nowadays, his name is Luka Doncic
Magic Johnson would get shut down by so many players right now
@@ajgreen6851 you would too at 63 years old!! Lol
Aj Green. The great players of today may get dizzy with Magic's moves and height of 6'9" but playing pointguard. Who does that today? Nada
Sensational video! Great job. 🙌👏👏👏👏 I grew up watching Magic and Bird rivalry and learned that there is no GOAT in bball only great players who make plays when it matters. The best players never shy from being in the spotlight and always remain humble in their confidence. Magic was one of a kind! I was lucky to be a bball fan and learn the game when he was having such an impact on it.
If you grew up in the '80s, you feel like Magic is the GOAT.
If you grew up in the '90s, you feel like Jordan is the GOAT.
If you are growing up now, you feel like Lebron is the GOAT.
I think you have to look at how impressionable you are as a child. When you see greatness for the first time in real time, its hard to shake that image. Numbers are the only thing you can look out, and which numbers you think are most important can vary wildly from person to person. Its not that basketball was better when you were a kid, its that life was better when you were a kid, and everything that happened at that time feels grander than it does when you are an adult, and the magic (no pun intended) starts to disappear from your reality.
Of course, the GOAT debate is after all subjective even though there are persistent fans out there claiming that it’s ‘objective’ in their favor of course ( I’m talking to you diehard MJ and LBJ fans ). It all comes down to which player impressed you the most when you were the most interested. And longetivity is important hence why they all have strong cases. Its exactly as you say it is. If you grew up watching the 80’s its Magic, 90’s it’s MJ and nowadays it’s Lebron. Every single sport has this. Tennis has the Federer - Nadal - Djokovic debate. People from 00’s believe that either Federer or Nadal deserves it, people now believe that Djokovic is the best. In the end it all comes down to the time period in which they’ve played and personal preferences. So just like tennis there’s no definitive objective answer.
Kevin no anyone that looks at the stats will clearly see that it’s Jordan.
RAW asshitshow if you look at stats then players like Wilt, Russel and Kareem have stronger cases than MJ. There is no objective answer as all people have different opinions of the ‘goat’ one might look at rings, others might look at stats and there are some who look at dominance. Lebron also has better stats than MJ since his efficiency rating is the highest ever I believe. Just looking at PPG etc does not make a player the goat imo. But you might believe otherwise. Wilt should then be awarded the goat award since he averaged 50ppg for a season at one point
Exactly, ppl always say the games gone bad in all sports since the 90s. The truth is what you just said, we grew up and noticed life is not that fun
@@raw5889 if you look at stats it begins and ends with Wilt. Period.
Thank you for the absolutely breathtaking narrative eloquence and historical reverence you chose to impart upon my favorite player of all time. I am really excited to watch how you will choose to evolve your gift and your craft. A pleasure to watch and reminisce.
Magic, LeBron, and Bird have the most beautiful passes i've ever seen. They are geniuses at the game of basketball
Steve nashes were beautiful as well
Soham Patil true
You've never watched me play..
Soham Patil yup and Jason Kidd and Jason Williams. But I think Magic, LeBron and bird were on another level
Pistol pete maravich in that sentence
excellent point with the transition of leadership. if Shaq and Kobe had the leadership skills of Kareem and Magic, the 2000's would've been completely different.
Birds Legendary but if I’m starting a team gimme Magic Personally.
This is a fantastic series. I've been watching them in order, so far I've watched Russell, Wilt, and Kareem, now this one. For the first time, I'm not fully sold. I mean, yes, you've made the point that Magic was a phenomenal basketball player, truly one of the greatest ever. But the previous ones I've watched, I was convinced. Even after watching this, I'm not fully convinced that I would rank Magic Johnson as the GOAT above the previous three. Maybe if he had played longer than 12 years. But there can only be one GOAT, and in order to truly be the greatest, I think you have to have extraordinary longevity as well as an unbelievable prime. So far, I'm leaning towards Kareem, but I haven't watched Bird/MJ/Duncan/LeBron yet. Damn, I'm enjoying this series!
Magic is the only player in basketball about whom you can watch a 10min highlight video containing nothing but passes.
What about Nash, Stockton and kidd?
@@sandigunawan4947 None of those had the flair of Magic. Much less for a ten minute highlight reel. The only one that comes to mind is Larry Bird.
@@samuelperezgarcia bruh, all of them played for a long time and all of them is an extraordinary pass first point guard. You seriously think that none of them can't fill in a 10 minute highlight reel of only passing? They are all the same level or better in passing than Bird too. Bird is a better scorer and rebounder but definitely not passing.
@@sandigunawan4947 A 10 minutes video with their passes would became boring after 2 minutes.
And Bird was a super great passer.But, as a SF, he was not playmaking and carrying the ball all the time.If he were, he would average 10+ assists per game as well.
Keep doing what your doing man. These videos are fantastic.
“Coolest nick name” come on man what about Pistol Pete??
One word trumps two tho.
Most people don't even know Magic's real name anymore
'Silk' Wilkes gets overlooked
@@bigstar66 Those same people don't know Pete's last name either. 🤷♂️
Dr J
Great series, very enjoyable story arcs and harmonic structure. Seeing rivalry together with mutual admiration really gives me goosebumps!
I'd like to see the 91 finals with a healthy James Worthy.
Amen... And and 89 Finals with a healthy Magic and Scott
Or an ‘87 finals with healthy Parish, McHale, and Walton. Magic wasn’t the only person screwed by injured teammates
@@noticemesenpai4452 Lol! Very true. It broke both ways for my Showtime Lakers. Lol..
@@noticemesenpai4452 I wasn't trying to make a point to bolster Magic's case for the GOAT. I just thought a healthy Worthy would have made it a great series.
Same result. Nobody was stopping Jordan
Thanks for the video and the smart intelligent thoughts on it. Magic is with no doubt one of the 5 greatest players of all time and it does qualify for the GOAT debate as you have well presented. You left one very important thing out, the year he retired the Lakers lost in first round with nothing to do against the Blazers. It became very obvious that without Magic, Worthy, Scott and company were just another good team in the league. Nobody has ever made this teammates betther than Magic, and being basketball a team sport, he ranks absolutely at the top of basketball´s history.
All Magic did was WIN!!!
This is such a good video and series. You make better content than so many youtubers its crazy how these videos haven't blown up more. Thank you for your efforts
Wilt Chamberlain & Magic Johnson -The Goats
Everyone waiting for Alex caruso making the case like this comment
Fishing for likes, that’s cute
thebeatleswin1 acting pretentious, that’s cute
thelilcrunchy I don’t think you know what the word means my guy. Nice try though, maybe next video
thebeatleswin1 to explain, I meant that you were trying to act holier than thou and act as if you were above me because I was looking for community appreciation. Which I was not, generally liking a comment is stating that you agree with the statements contained within said comment.
thebeatleswin1 go fuck yourself buddy we are all just trying to have a laugh.
Thank you very much, a great player I wish Magic played a few more years.
Fun stuff to watch. I just burned through all your "Making the Case" vids last night. You have a very professional sound and delivery. I don't sub to TH-cam channels as a rule. In fact, I only currenly am subbed to one but you just made my second. Good job and keep 'em coming!
11:08 Scott went to Inidiana in 93 and came back to Los Angeles for 96-97
Can I also just say your soundtrack choice is fucking rank 1 mate? Beautifully done. Love your series. Thank you for this!
Thank you for making this video. It should be shouted from the mountain top. Watch the documentary always showtime.
this channel about to blow up! this series is great. super HQ content. 3rd vid ive had to share with friends. keep it up!!
Another instant classic, Mr. Crowley.
Found you on someone else’s TH-cam. First subscribe I’ve had in a while and so worth it. TH-cam needs to work on that algorithm.
This channel is about to blow up.... Huge
I just binge this entire series of videos. Amazing work.
I’ll chime in here. Magic Johnson is the most game changing revolutionary player in the history of basketball 🏀. I’ve had the chance to play against him in 2 games in LA. He reminded me of a superb baseball pitcher. He’s playing chess while the others are playing checkers. He’s the only player I could watch play and then step out on the court and be better, much better. I owe no player as much gratitude and appreciation as I do Magic. As Bird stated “ simply unbelievable”He is and always will be the greatest basketball player Bird and myself ever saw. Much love to Magic.
great series, man. I predict good things for this channel in the future! keep it up and best of luck!
At the risk of brown nosing I am going to say that Clayton Crawley is the GOAT in creating a series that makes us weigh the pros and cons of who is truly the greatest basketball player ever. Well done Sir!!
These are all so well written and edited
This series has been fun. Thanks
This is a line that i first saw attributed to Stockton but applies to MJ as well. "When Jordan has the ball in his hands he's a threat to score. When (he) has the ball in his hands, everyone is a threat."
Jokic is what magic would be if he played today. Point center wrecking havoc on the perimeter and paint
Good call! Isiah Thomas basically said the same thing (minus the comparison to Jokic). Instead of revolutionizing the point guard position, Magic would be revolutionizing the center position in today's NBA...
Jokic is making simple passes but effective because his long hands size and move allow for easy passes. He stands in the middle and passes around. It is very effective passing but not best passing
1:37. Damn, Rick Barry out here catching strays.
You’ve done a great job with these. I’m a big fan!
Just another awesome video, I now believe that there are 3 greatest players of all time. Can't wait for the rest.
Ummm, I never bought a pair of Magics shoes sir. I wear...you guessed it, Michael Jordan's!
That half court swish while running! 🤯
I watched Larry and this video.. love the way you analyse these great players.. could not even noticed how time passed. MJ is next... thanks for the great job...
Great video! MAGIC is definitely the GOAT.