'86-'87 Magic Johnson vs '19-'20 LeBron James

[1987_Lakers]

Both have/had the best record in their conference, both lead/led the league in assists, both are Lakers.

Magic - 24/6/12 on 52 FG% - 27 PER
LeBron - 26/8/11 on 50 FG% - 26 PER

It's actually crazy how similar the numbers are, but even more crazy is that a 35 year old LeBron is basically playing up to the level as a peak Magic Johnson did, '87 was by far Magic's best year as a pro.

[FKAri]

Real talk:

Advantage Magic:
I don't trust that Lebron's play is sustainable like a young Magic's would be.
Magic was a hell of a leader. Lebron's great but Magic would even know what kind of girl to send to my hotel room. A real bro's bro.

Advantage Lebron:
Magic played in a shit conference. Like y'all remember how bad the West was then? The Lakers were clowning on fools.
Lebron's got that experience edge and can still be great in bursts so he'd be more reliable in that sense.

Overall, I'll go with Magic over a whole season as Lebron's one awkward splits attempt away from a season ending injury at all times.

[NBAGOAT]

87 magic. He does have slightly superior numbers for one and was crazy good in the playoffs. I dont doubt playoff lebron but will have to see how he does. This is likely not even a top 5 season for bron as good as he's been(say 09,12,13,and 2 of 14,16-18)

[72-10]

By all accounts the combo of Magic's court vision and motor were at an optimal level in the '86-87 season. But I still wonder if the team, with all that chemistry that had formed over the years, were even better than Magic. We're talking like a top three team of alls time. They were better on the break than any team I've seen 'cept the Bulls.

[Psileas]

LeBron, adjusted for era, isn't playing at peak Magic's level or, at least, isn't viewed in a similar light. This is like claiming that Harden at 34/6/7 is playing close to a peak Jordan level (and I only say "close" because I account for defense), Giannis is playing at peak Wilt/Kareem levels, Doncic is playing near peak Bird level etc, all at the same time, in the same season. Quite a coincidence, right? LeBron isn't even considered a really serious MVP candidate, despite his last 2 "statement games" (the 2nd of which wasn't even that impressive), some don't consider him even his team's #1, while Magic won the MVP in a landslide, in a season Bird was still elite and Jordan took off.
There's some incredible stat padding going on in favor of superstars in order to have them keep their stats while their minutes gradually go down to avoid fatigue and injuries and it doesn't even remotely resemble what was going on in 80's (or older) elite teams like the Lakers. '87 Lakers playing like today's teams might have Magic average around 28/8/12 (Magic was always a better scorer than his raw ppg was indicating and today's open paints would only make things easier for him) while bringing slightly down Kareem's, Worthy's and Scott's ones (especially the last 2, since Kareem might get more respect for obvious reasons). And their record wouldn't necessarily suffer, since practically the whole league has a similar mentality.

[DoctorP]

LeBron, adjusted for era, isn't playing at peak Magic's level or, at least, isn't viewed in a similar light. This is like claiming that Harden at 34/6/7 is playing close to a peak Jordan level (and I only say "close" because I account for defense), Giannis is playing at peak Wilt/Kareem levels, Doncic is playing near peak Bird level etc, all at the same time, in the same season. Quite a coincidence, right? LeBron isn't even considered a really serious MVP candidate, despite his last 2 "statement games" (the 2nd of which wasn't even that impressive), some don't consider him even his team's #1, while Magic won the MVP in a landslide, in a season Bird was still elite and Jordan took off.
There's some incredible stat padding going on in favor of superstars in order to have them keep their stats while their minutes gradually go down to avoid fatigue and injuries and it doesn't even remotely resemble what was going on in 80's (or older) elite teams like the Lakers. '87 Lakers playing like today's teams might have Magic average around 28/8/12 (Magic was always a better scorer than his raw ppg was indicating and today's open paints would only make things easier for him) while bringing slightly down Kareem's, Worthy's and Scott's ones (especially the last 2, since Kareem might get more respect for obvious reasons). And their record wouldn't necessarily suffer, since practically the whole league has a similar mentality.

this. :cheers:

[StrongLurk]

Both have/had the best record in their conference, both lead/led the league in assists, both are Lakers.

Magic - 24/6/12 on 52 FG% - 27 PER
LeBron - 26/8/11 on 50 FG% - 26 PER

It's actually crazy how similar the numbers are, but even more crazy is that a 35 year old LeBron is basically playing up to the level as a peak Magic Johnson did, '87 was by far Magic's best year as a pro.

Bro I literally made this same thread at the beginning of the year.

[Duncan21formvp]

Magic Johnson no contest.

[kawhileonard2]

Magic Johnson won league and finals mvp and didn't have a 4 month break also had to beat a #1 seed or #2 seed with a MVP candidate as well.

[Shooter]

Playoffs

PER
2020 LBJ: 30.2
1987 Magic: 27.0

PPG / RPG / APG / FG% / 3P%
LBJ: 28 / 11 / 9 on 56% / 37%
Magic: 22 / 8 / 12 on 54% / 20%

No disrespect to Magic but don't put him up against the GOAT...

[Lebron23]

Magic Johnson won league and finals mvp and didn't have a 4 month break also had to beat a #1 seed or #2 seed with a MVP candidate as well.

It's Lebron James. you F*cking moron. Do you have some kind of Mental Illness??

[Full Court]

No AD, no playoffs in 2020.

'86-'87 Magic by a mile. Stats don't tell the whole story.

[kawhileonard2]

It's Lebron James. you F*cking moron. Do you have some kind of Mental Illness??

Lebron missed the playoffs without AD and then lost in round 1 with him and then missed the playoffs with him and Westbrook. Lebron had a 4 month break and didn't play a #1 nor #2 seed. It is clearly Magic and he did so for the franchise that drafted him. Prove me wrong!

[Lebron23]

Lebron missed the playoffs without AD and then lost in round 1 with him and then missed the playoffs with him and Westbrook. Lebron had a 4 month break and didn't play a #1 nor #2 seed. It is clearly Magic and he did so for the franchise that drafted him. Prove me wrong!

I hope you just jump off the bridge.

[Shooter]

It's Lebron James. you F*cking moron. Do you have some kind of Mental Illness??

:roll::roll:

[Lebron23]

Playoffs

PER
2020 LBJ: 30.2
1987 Magic: 27.0

PPG / RPG / APG / FG% / 3P%
LBJ: 28 / 11 / 9 on 56% / 37%
Magic: 22 / 8 / 12 on 54% / 20%

No disrespect to Magic but don't put him up against the GOAT...

Lebron

[Hey Yo]

87 magic. He does have slightly superior numbers for one and was crazy good in the playoffs. I dont doubt playoff lebron but will have to see how he does. This is likely not even a top 5 season for bron as good as he's been(say 09,12,13,and 2 of 14,16-18)

The combined records LA faced to get to the Finals was 118-128

:durantunimpressed:

[bizil]

I'd take Magic's season over Bron's season in general. BUT the interesting thing is Bron was EMPLOYED as the starting PG for the Lakers FLAT OUT! Not as the point forward who is playing with another PG on the floor in the starting lineup. With KCP, Green, and AD at the SG, SF, and PF, it allowed Bron to FLOAT on defense and defend the weakest link to conserve energy. PLUS it enabled him to lean into his passing ability MORE thus he got his career high in dimes per game. BUT the Javale/Dwight combo at C was solid. Then AD of course could slide to the 5 as well. The Lakers not finding a way to SOMEWHAT replicate that type of lineup was a mistake in the following seasons

I always thought as Bron got older that the IDEAL SETUP could be as the starting PG FLAT OUT. Then from there he could play different positions during the game. And defend the weakest link among the PG, SG, SF, and PF. And NOT BE LOOKED upon to be an elite defender anymore. BUT you need the personnel to make that work. Green, Caruso, and KCP fit the bill for versatile perimeter defenders.

Magic was NEVER regarded as an elite defender. BUT that Lakers lineup with B Scott, Worthy, and AC allowed him to defend the weakest link. Because Scott, Worthy, and AC were solid enough defenders AND versatile enough defenders for that to happen. Plus they had Coop off the bench to who of course was a great defender who could defend three different positions.

Plus I thought it was MORE IMPRESSIVE that Magic altered his scoring mindset due to Kareem getting older. And averaged 24 PPG that year. Bron is a pass first player. But Magic is even MORE PASS FIRST than Bron! So overall 86-87 was arguably Magic's best season ever. 19-20 was FAR FROM Bron's best season. BUT him being the starting PG flat out was something I had been wanting to see as he got older.