ISH All-time Top 25 Guards Project: #2 Kobe Bryant vs Magic Johnson.

Let's see, of the top 25 greatest passing offensive/efficient teams of all-time, Magic Johnson has been on 9 of them. He has been the main assist leader for 7 of them. 5 of these teams are in the Top 10 alone. 2 of them are in Top 3 and which includes the greatest passing offensive/efficient teams of all-time. Here they are:

1984-85 Lakers 118.2 pts [B]31.4ast [/B]54.5%fg (Magic 12.6ast, Cooper 5.2ast) #1 all-time
1982-83 Lakers 115.0 pts [B]30.7ast [/B]52.8%fg (Magic 10.5ast, Nixon 7.2ast) #3 all-time
1983-84 Lakers 115.6 pts [B]29.9ast [/B]53.2%fg (Magic 13.1ast, Cooper 5.9ast) # 6 all-time
1985-86 Lakers 117.3 pts [B]29.7ast [/B]52.2%fg (Magic 12.6ast, Cooper 5.7ast) # 8 all-time
1986-87 Lakers 117.8 pts [B]29.6ast [/B]51.6%fg (Magic 12.2ast, Cooper 4.5ast) # 9 all-time
1979-80 Lakers 115.1 pts [B]29.4ast [/B]52.9%fg (Nixon 7.8ast, Magic 7.3ast) # 12 all-time
1980-81 Lakers 111.2 pts [B]28.8ast [/B]51.2%fg (Nixon 8.8ast, Magic 8.6ast - 37 games) # 17 all-time
1981-82 Lakers 114.6 pts [B]28.7ast [/B]51.7%fg (Magic 9.5ast, Nixon 8.0ast) # 20 all-time
1987-88 Lakers 112.8 pts [B]28.6ast [/B]50.5%fg (Magic 11.9ast, Cooper 4.7ast, Scott 4.1ast) #23 all-time

The 84-85 and 82-83 teams are 2 of 5 teams that have had averaged 30+ assists per game for a season. Magic is responsible for 2 of them, both of which went to the Finals (1-1). Not to mention every single one of those teams hit over 50%.

Magic was a much better offensive player in getting his teams involved than Kobe ever did. How many of Kobe's teams have even come close to that type of ball movement and efficient scoring ? Much better in getting the best out of his teammates. Better creator for his teammates and a high I.Q. on how to get the best out of his teammates on the floor.

When it comes to the mental side of the game..

Court vision
making the right play at the right time
making other players better
vocal leadership on and off the floor
clutch play
overall BBIQ

I never saw anyone better than Magic. He put up big numbers but watching him play i never got the impression that he really cared about them. it always seemed like the only thing that mattered to him was winning.

[QUOTE=Legends66NBA7]Let's see, of the top 25 greatest passing offensive/efficient teams of all-time, Magic Johnson has been on 9 of them. He has been the main assist leader for 7 of them. 5 of these teams are in the Top 10 alone. 2 of them are in Top 3 and which includes the greatest passing offensive/efficient teams of all-time. Here they are:

1984-85 Lakers 118.2 pts [B]31.4ast [/B]54.5%fg (Magic 12.6ast, Cooper 5.2ast) #1 all-time
1982-83 Lakers 115.0 pts [B]30.7ast [/B]52.8%fg (Magic 10.5ast, Nixon 7.2ast) #3 all-time
1983-84 Lakers 115.6 pts [B]29.9ast [/B]53.2%fg (Magic 13.1ast, Cooper 5.9ast) # 6 all-time
1985-86 Lakers 117.3 pts [B]29.7ast [/B]52.2%fg (Magic 12.6ast, Cooper 5.7ast) # 8 all-time
1986-87 Lakers 117.8 pts [B]29.6ast [/B]51.6%fg (Magic 12.2ast, Cooper 4.5ast) # 9 all-time
1979-80 Lakers 115.1 pts [B]29.4ast [/B]52.9%fg (Nixon 7.8ast, Magic 7.3ast) # 12 all-time
1980-81 Lakers 111.2 pts [B]28.8ast [/B]51.2%fg (Nixon 8.8ast, Magic 8.6ast - 37 games) # 17 all-time
1981-82 Lakers 114.6 pts [B]28.7ast [/B]51.7%fg (Magic 9.5ast, Nixon 8.0ast) # 20 all-time
1987-88 Lakers 112.8 pts [B]28.6ast [/B]50.5%fg (Magic 11.9ast, Cooper 4.7ast, Scott 4.1ast) #23 all-time

The 84-85 and 82-83 teams are 2 of 5 teams that have had averaged 30+ assists per game for a season. Magic is responsible for 2 of them, both of which went to the Finals (1-1). Not to mention every single one of those teams hit over 50%.

Magic was a much better offensive player in getting his teams involved than Kobe ever did. How many of Kobe's teams have even come close to that type of ball movement and efficient scoring ? Much better in getting the best out of his teammates. Better creator for his teammates and a high I.Q. on how to get the best out of his teammates on the floor.[/QUOTE]

Looking at assists without compensating for the faster pace of Magic's era is silly.

[QUOTE=Kobe Bryant's Balls]Looking at assists without compensating for the faster pace of Magic's era is silly.[/QUOTE]
LOL gotta love Kobe stans. If all else fails, they always pull out the classic "b-b-b-but-but-but...Kobe plays in a tougher era!!!!!!"

[QUOTE=tontoz]When it comes to the mental side of the game..

Court vision
making the right play at the right time
making other players better
vocal leadership on and off the floor
clutch play
overall BBIQ

I never saw anyone better than Magic. He put up big numbers but watching him play i never got the impression that he really cared about them. it always seemed like the only thing that mattered to him was winning.[/QUOTE]

+1.

All of the above and the statement about numbers, Kobe has all been questioned or either been overrated in. Not to say he hasn't wanted to win, but he more than enough times has done so for the sake of himself and not in his teams best interest.

[QUOTE=RRR3]LOL gotta love Kobe stans. If all else fails, they always pull out the classic "b-b-b-but-but-but...Kobe plays in a tougher era!!!!!!"[/QUOTE]

A slower pace doesn't make the era tougher. It just means per game raw offensive statistics are deflated. :confusedshrug:

[QUOTE=Yao Ming's Foot]A slower pace doesn't make the era tougher. It just means per game raw offensive statistics are deflated. :confusedshrug:[/QUOTE]
U gotta be a dumba$$ not to take this into consideration

It all depends what u want. Kobe brings a little of everthing, but if u want a better teammate and to an extend better team offense go with magic

Yeah, Nash is a better offensive player than either Magic or Kobe, just look at those offenses he's lead. Superior to both. lolz.

As if Kobe wouldn't lead dominant ( well he already has) offenses with Kareem/Worthy/Cooper/Scott/McAdoo/Thompson/Perkins/Wilkes/etc etc. :lol

Has anyone in history played with as much talent as Magic?

And I love the moronic Kobe wants to for himself line by that idiot Legend.

:roll:

[QUOTE=Yao Ming's Foot]Looking at assists without compensating for the faster pace of Magic's era is silly.[/QUOTE]

Would you say that the 50's, 60's, and 70's had faster pace than the 80's ?

[QUOTE=Legends66NBA7]Apparently, offense is all about scoring the ball....[/QUOTE]


:facepalm

Magic would have averaged even MORE assists if he didnt play on the Lakers.

Why? The Lakers had plenty of capable ballhandlers and passers that Magic didnt have the ball as much as he would have on a team with less talent.

Look at Stocktons numbers, he was usually the only capable passer/ballhandler on most of his teams.

Eh, depends on the situation.

Magic has the 6-9 PG versatility, being an engine that makes the entire team better etc. The same reasons you could justify picking him over anyone in history.

Kobe has the D, ability to impose his will on the other team with his scoring binges, getting them into foul trouble, no technical weaknesses in his game etc.

[QUOTE=Legends66NBA7]Would you say that the 50's, 60's, and 70's had faster pace than the 80's ?[/QUOTE]

I don't know. You have to look it up. It isn't an opinion based question.

[SIZE="7"][/SIZE][QUOTE=eliteballer]Magic would have averaged even MORE assists if he didnt play on the Lakers.

Why? The Lakers had plenty of capable ballhandlers and passers that Magic didnt have the ball as much as he would have on a team with less talent.

Look at Stocktons numbers, he was usually the only capable passer/ballhandler on most of his teams.

Eh, depends on the situation.

Magic has the 6-9 PG versatility, being an engine that makes the entire team better etc. [B][SIZE="7"]The same reasons you could justify picking him over anyone in history.
[/SIZE][/B]
Kobe has the D, ability to impose his will on the other team with his scoring binges, getting them into foul trouble, no technical weaknesses in his game etc.[/QUOTE]


[B][SIZE="7"]THIS[/SIZE][/B].....but I guarantee the 10 voters here will pick Magic....



then when he goes up against Jordan , all those things will thrown out the window....

book it.

[QUOTE=eliteballer]Magic would have averaged even MORE assists if he didnt play on the Lakers.

Why? The Lakers had plenty of capable ballhandlers and passers that Magic didnt have the ball as much as he would have on a team with less talent.

Look at Stocktons numbers, he was usually the only capable passer/ballhandler on most of his teams.

Eh, depends on the situation.

Magic has the 6-9 PG versatility, being an engine that makes the entire team better etc. The same reasons you could justify picking him over anyone in history.

Kobe has the D, ability to impose his will on the other team with his scoring binges, getting them into foul trouble, [B]no technical weaknesses in his game etc.[/B][/QUOTE]

Shot selection is still a weakness though. There's no excuse for him to be a 45% career shooter with how much his game is based on the offensive side of the ball.

With Magic, you were NEVER crossing your fingers, hoping and praying he'd make the right decisions with the ball like you would be with Kobe.