What's the general consensus for Bird or Magic all time?

[Nilocon165]

I know Magic is usally rated higher but I've also seen many say they would take Bird any day.

I feel like Magic should be higher but idk, I didn't watch them live.

Who's considered greater?

[SouBeachTalents]

They seem to usually be in the 5-7 range

[Dray n Klay]

Both are worse than LeBron

[Nilocon165]

They seem to usually be in the 5-7 range
Who's better all time tho

[inclinerator]

1 on1 bird career magic

[Genaro]

I don't think there's a consensus. Fact is they had similar careers and peak level. You can go either way and no one will have much to say.

[Bankaii]

I had Magic 3-4 and Bird 7-8 before Lebron won.
Bird was the better scorer but Magic's overall offensive impact makes him just as great if not better.

Why does the ring argument only apply to certain players?

[Stringer Bell]

The general consensus has Magic ranked a little higher due to having 2 more titles and 3 more seasons at the elite level.

Peaks are debatable. Bird was considered the better player at first with his 3 straight MVPs (84-86), Magic's peak season is considered 87' (he won MVP then and also in 89' and 90'), but you can argue over who had the better peak. I've heard pretty good arguments on both sides.

[Prime_Shaq]

IMO Bird was the better player but Magic had the better career.

[feyki]

Bird .

[mr4speed]

IMO Bird was the better player but Magic had the better career.
Well said! Difficult to summarize in 1 sentence, but that is pretty good. IMO Bird was clearly the better player for their first 7 seasons - the ROY and MVP voting reflected this and Magic had the advantage of playing with KAJ and with the weak western conference, LA got more rest, fewer injuries and just rolled to the finals rather easily. Magic's 86-87 season was tremendous and really for me finally put him equal to Bird and then the heel surgery and back problems just took too much out of Bird, while Magic continued to excel and carry LA while KAJ got old fast.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

IMO Bird was the better player but Magic had the better career.
this