Magic Johnson vs. Kobe Bryant

[7_cody]

Kobe has had more years to play then Magic. He probably holds more Laker records then Magic and what not. Same amount of championships. One less FMVP. Kobe lost his FMVPs to Shaq, someone who, no offense, is a level above Worthy. Kobe is probably more entertaining to watch when he's on fire. He's a better defender, back in his younger days he played great defense, to this day he hardly ever plays defense.

From that point of view, it probably has to go to Kobe.

However, I'd take Magic as a team owner or a teammate any day. I want the best point guard in the history of the NBA, who also happens to be 6'9" to run my offense for me and set up my guys for wide open looks. Good ball movement and great shot selection is always better than a vastly superior skilled individual iso'ing for every shot. I realize that for Kobe some bad shots are actually good shots, but setting up your big for a wide open dunk, or kicking it out to a wide open shooter is always more effective. Kobe has never been willing to make the game easier for himself and other for some reason. He loves taking the hard shots. My opinion is that he does it because he's an entertainer first then a basketball player second. People oooooh! and ahhhhh! at all the crazy shots he's able to make.

[christian1923]

You're right. It probably had nothing to do with Magic knowing how conceited it would look if he said himself.

Cause a genius like Magic wouldnt know how to aviod answering a question. and i dont even remember anyone asking him that, i think he just said it.

[AlphaWolf24]

Kobe has had more years to play then Magic. He probably holds more Laker records then Magic and what not. Same amount of championships. One less FMVP. Kobe lost his FMVPs to Shaq, someone who, no offense, is a level above Worthy. Kobe is probably more entertaining to watch when he's on fire. He's a better defender, back in his younger days he played great defense, to this day he hardly ever plays defense.

From that point of view, it probably has to go to Kobe.

However, I'd take Magic as a team owner or a teammate any day. I want the best point guard in the history of the NBA, who also happens to be 6'9" to run my offense for me and set up my guys for wide open looks. Good ball movement and great shot selection is always better than a vastly superior skilled individual iso'ing for every shot. I realize that for Kobe some bad shots are actually good shots, but setting up your big for a wide open dunk, or kicking it out to a wide open shooter is always more effective. Kobe has never been willing to make the game easier for himself and other for some reason. He loves taking the hard shots. My opinion is that he does it because he's an entertainer first then a basketball player second. People oooooh! and ahhhhh! at all the crazy shots he's able to make.


by this criteria....I think any GM/owner would take Magic over anyone....ever.

[7_cody]

by this criteria....I think any GM/owner would take Magic over anyone....ever.

As far as guards are concerned, hell yeah he'd probably generally be chosen ahead of Kobe depending on personnel (and excluding other factors such as salary, ticket sales, etc)

[AlphaWolf24]

As far as guards are concerned, hell yeah he'd probably generally be chosen ahead of Kobe depending on personnel (and excluding other factors such as salary, ticket sales, etc)


no as far as an player at any position....

a 6'9" gaurd who can play every position..instantly makes everyone better..

is the face of the NBA in the leaues greatest era...saves the NBA..


by what your saying...no GM / owner would take anyone over Magic.

[magic chiongson]

i'd take magic any day over kobe. if kobe wins at least 1 more championship, he might surpass magic as the greatest laker ever, but magic will always be a better player than kobe.




oh and i'm not biased btw :D

[7_cody]

no as far as an player at any position....

a 6'9" gaurd who can play every position..instantly makes everyone better..

is the face of the NBA in the leaues greatest era...saves the NBA..


by what your saying...no GM / owner would take anyone over Magic.

All I said is that most GM/Owners would take a 6'9" playmaker as talented as Magic over a 6'6" scorer that is always looking for his own shot (in terms of trying to win and excluding other factors such as current personnel and ticket sales)

I didn't say anything about taking him over certain dominant bigs or anything

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Magic, easily. Magic is a top 5 player, best ever at his position. Kobe is neither.

True

[Ne 1]

:oldlol: at anyone who thinks this is a landslide. It's actually a really close comparison, so close that I couldn't decide who I'd take without looking at what the team needs. I like Magic but dude is clearly remembered to be better than he actually was if people think he is this untouchable.

[Deuce Bigalow]

I think people forget that Magic couldn't have long longevity because of HIV. He retired in 91, he led the Lakers to the Finals a couple months prior that year. 19-7-13 in the 91 regular season, 22-13-8 in the 91 Playoffs. He was 2nd in MVP voting behind Jordan. He was still in his prime and could have added much more all-nba and all-star teams along with career assists. Lets say he plays for 3 more seasons in 92-94 - He would have 5 rings, 3 fmvps, 3 mvps, 15 all-star teams, 12 all-nba first teams and an all-nba second team. The only things Kobe has on Magic is longevity and defense, longevity goes out the window because Magic couldn't play longer because of the HIV (because HIV/AIDS wasn't fully known at the time). Magic's offense and impact counters Bryant's superior defense.
Anyways, only one player has surpassed Magic IMO, and that was Michael Jordan, and there isn't going to be another player doing it.

[swag2011]

I think people forget that Magic couldn't have long longevity because of HIV. He retired in 91, he led the Lakers to the Finals a couple months prior that year. 19-7-13 in the 91 regular season, 22-13-8 in the 91 Playoffs. He was 2nd in MVP voting behind Jordan. He was still in his prime and could have added much more all-nba and all-star teams along with career assists. Lets say he plays for 3 more seasons in 92-94 - He would have 5 rings, 3 fmvps, 3 mvps, 15 all-star teams, 12 all-nba first teams and an all-nba second team. The only things Kobe has on Magic is longevity and defense, longevity goes out the window because Magic couldn't play longer because of the HIV (because HIV/AIDS wasn't fully known at the time). Magic's offense and impact counters Bryant's superior defense.
Anyways, only one player has surpassed Magic IMO, and that was Michael Jordan, and there isn't going to be another player doing it.

That's not fair to discredit Kobe's longevity over Magic just because Magic couldn't obtain longevity due to personal decisions he made in his life. Kobe's longevity IS amazing, not his fault Magic decided to go bang some girl other than his wife unprotected. Have we really seen many players be elite for so long like Kobe? Not that many. On offense, Magic obviously has the assists and efficiency, but Kobe has the offensive arsenal, skill and could easily go off for 40, 50, on any given night, without breaking a sweat. Add in Magic's ability to play all 5 positions, and Kobe's superior D, it's alot closer than people think.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

:oldlol: at anyone who thinks this is a landslide. It's actually a really close comparison, so close that I couldn't decide who I'd take without looking at what the team needs. I like Magic but dude is clearly remembered to be better than he actually was if people think he is this untouchable.

I don't think he is being remembered as better than he was. I was there and I know exactly how good he was. If anything I think people don't understand how good he was because most of the people here are either 13 years old or they worship Jordan, Kobe or Lebron. Magic and Bird played a style of basketball that is as foreign to the league now as it was when they arrived in 1979-80.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Qbo0WqvOI

The only thing Kobe has on Magic is longevity.

AND defense
AND scoring

:confusedshrug:

[DirtySanchez]

The homer on me we always pick Magic no matter what.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

You're right. It probably had nothing to do with Magic knowing how conceited it would look if he said himself.

If I recall correctly Magic volunteered this information. He wasn't asked. :confusedshrug:

[Kobe 4 The Win]

AND defense
AND scoring

:confusedshrug:

Would you rather have 25 points a game on 45% shooting or 20 points a game on 52%? I prefer better efficiency especially when you factor in the extra assists that Magic will give you. Bottom line he takes better shots and he gets his teammates better shots. Most people would say that Kobe is a better scorer, but is he?

[Lakers Legend#32]

Kobe will never, ever be the player or most importantly, the leader, that Magic Johnson was. Magic's greatest Laker title is secure.

[KOBE143]

Would you rather have 25 points a game on 45% shooting or 20 points a game on 52%? I prefer better efficiency especially when you factor in the extra assists that Magic will give you. Bottom line he takes better shots and he gets his teammates better shots. Most people would say that Kobe is a better scorer, but is he?
Get real bro.. Everyone in the 80's shoot over 50%.. Shooting 45% in these era is equivalent to shooting 50% in the 80's.. You should consider the defense played in the 80's and compared that today then you will understand that using fg% is not the basis of efficiency if we compared player by era..

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Get real bro.. Everyone in the 80's shoot over 50%.. Shooting 45% in these era is equivalent to shooting 50% in the 80's.. You should consider the defense played in the 80's and compared that today then you will understand that using fg% is not the basis of efficiency if we compared player by era..

Oh really? Well, the top point guard in the East a lot of those years was Isiah Thomas and his career FG% happens to be .452%

I love Kobe Bryant but the dude forces a lot of bad shots. It's a well known fact. You lost credibility with me when I read "How Great is our Gawd" under your screen name.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

Would you rather have 25 points a game on 45% shooting or 20 points a game on 52%? I prefer better efficiency especially when you factor in the extra assists that Magic will give you. Bottom line he takes better shots and he gets his teammates better shots. Most people would say that Kobe is a better scorer, but is he?

Efficiency without context means nothing. Did you ever notice that entire league had great efficiency numbers when compared to Kobe's generation?

They don't have remotely similar scoring responsibilities. Kobe has already attempted more than quadruple the amount of three pointers. He's averaged more than Magic's peak scoring season for the last 12 years. Judging scoring on efficiency alone is like judging passing on assist/turnover ratio.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Efficiency without context means nothing. Did you ever notice that entire league had great efficiency numbers when compared to Kobe's generation?

They don't have remotely similar scoring responsibilities. Kobe has already attempted more than quadruple the amount of three pointers. He's averaged more than Magic's peak scoring season for the last 12 years. Judging scoring on efficiency alone is like judging passing on assist/turnover ratio.

What some people call context, I call excuses for missing shots.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

What some people call context, I call excuses for missing shots.

:rolleyes:

Very intelligent rebuttal.

[Quizno]

Efficiency without context means nothing. Did you ever notice that entire league had great efficiency numbers when compared to Kobe's generation?

They don't have remotely similar scoring responsibilities. Kobe has already attempted more than quadruple the amount of three pointers. He's averaged more than Magic's peak scoring season for the last 12 years. Judging scoring on efficiency alone is like judging passing on assist/turnover ratio.

that's actually a really good point and i've never thought of that before. good shit :applause:

[Kovach]

Efficiency without context means nothing. Did you ever notice that entire league had great efficiency numbers when compared to Kobe's generation?

Are you sure you are applying that context yourself? Differing efficiency numbers between eras do not necessarily mean some players would be less efficient. Who today is gonna stop Magic from plowing through the entire defense for a certain layup or his baby hook which he rarely missed?

[ZaaaaaH]

Kobe will never, ever be the player or most importantly, the leader, that Magic Johnson was. Magic's greatest Laker title is secure.


One thing that is clearly secure is how retarded you are.

Magic HIMSELF said Kobe is the Greatest Lakers of all Time but YOU who knows nothing about basketball say he will Never? GTFO

You also need to understand it is Very easy for a PG to be a Leader then a SG.

Tards know nothing about basketball besides Stats Sheets. No Logic at all.

[Mr Exlax]

The "Greatest" (career, media, things not having to do with bball skills) Laker will always be Magic

The "Best" (Basketball Skills) Laker is Kobe.

Coming from a Kobe hater at that!

[Nevaeh]

I don't think he is being remembered as better than he was. I was there and I know exactly how good he was. If anything I think people don't understand how good he was because most of the people here are either 13 years old or they worship Jordan, Kobe or Lebron. Magic and Bird played a style of basketball that is as foreign to the league now as it was when they arrived in 1979-80.

They both had such an unorthodox style of play that if you saw them taking the court and moving for the first time, you may think they were gonna be scrub players. Seriously, Bird doesn't look like he even likes basketball, let alone being really good at it.
http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Kobe 4 The Win]

:rolleyes:

Very intelligent rebuttal.

You can dress it up any way you want but here is a fact. You shoot the ball and it either goes in or it doesn't. I think the concept of "volume shooters" is total bullshit. Kobe knows how talented and skilled he is. Because of that confidence, he sometimes forces bad contested shots. Anyone with two eyes can see this.

I'm a huge Kobe fan but sometimes I scratch my head about his shot selection. I don't think FG% tells the whole story and I think some people exaggerate Kobe's alleged "shot jacking". However, there are many times when Kobe goes into attack mode and retards our offense and takes his teammates out of their games. I don't think that this point is even arguable at this point. Phil Jackson will tell you that.

[DatAsh]

You also need to understand it is Very easy for a PG to be a Leader then a SG.



Its very easy for a PG to first become Leader, and then change positions and become a SG? I'm assuming you didn't mean it that way?

[andgar923]

I think Magic will always be seen as the GLOAT. A lot of old Laker fans don't like Kobe. This is amongst Laker fans

There is some old school cats that dislike him, but most cheer for him because they kinda have too.

Answer is Magic

[G-Funk]

Magic is the greatest Laker and Kobe won't catch him.

Magic was a leader from day ONE.


The Captain says hi!

http://www.nbaphotos.tk/i/kareem-abdul-jabbar-744.jpg

[7_cody]

I think all this talk of Kobe being better than Magic is just silly. It's not about scoring, championships or any thing except, the eye test. If you watched them play Magic was clearly the best and it's not close.

When Kobe played with Shaq, Shaq was clearly the best player. When Magic played with Kareem, they were equal the first year, then Magic was clearly the best afterward. I understand that Kareem was getting a little past his prime at the time, but Magic was the driving force, Kobe never was.

As far as the comments about Kobe being better than Bird, please keep this in mind. Bird was a forward. Look at your top ten list and see how many forwards are on it. It is much easier for a ball dominate player like a guard to appear to be the better player. Plus the Center position is always the most important so you will always have a lot of Center's in your top ten. Kobe is not even in my top ten.

1. Wilt
2. Magic
3. Kareem
4. Russell
5. MJ
6. Bird
7. Oscar
8. Dream
9. Dr. J
10. Duncan

I would have Shaq in there but I think they just let him get away with to many offensive charges and he never got close to his potential due to not having the killer instinct. He probably should be in top ten, I just can't put him in my list.

Magic lost his Finals MVP to Worthy. Kobe lost his to Shaq, perhaps the greatest center of all time.

Anyhow, I still prefer Magic as an owner/teammate, not because of skill or talent, but because of how he plays the game the right way, a better way

Kobe is funner to watch though when he catches fire, and his game is so aesthetically pleasing -- watching him hit tough fadeaways and what not can be fun

[greymatter]

Not a surprise. The most of the people picking Kobe weren't old enough to have watched Magic play. The guy is the GOAT pg. His impact at elevating his entire team's play was top 3 all time along with Russell and Bird. The object of the game is to win; not outscore the guy guarding you. Magic was simply a far greater winner than Kobe could ever hope to be.

[magictricked]

Magic was simply a far greater winner than Kobe could ever hope to be.Yet Kobe has more Winshares than Magic can ever hope to have

[Magic 32]

Magic is the greatest Laker and Kobe won't catch him.

Magic was a leader from day ONE.

Love Magic, but:banghead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_kn6kLRs5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1kgHXG_Ot8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMIC4zKK_nE

[greymatter]

Yet Kobe has more Winshares than Magic can ever hope to have

And up until Lebron left the Cavs, Anderson Verajao was a league leader in +/- differential. Any other useless stats?