Magic defines an NBA superstar: "A person who can go on the road & sell the build out

[Drygon]

https://x.com/HaterReport_/status/1933203941354860749

[Real Men Wear Green]

That's fine but to me that leans a little too heavily into popularity. For example I'm not sure that Jokic is guaranteed to sell out a game vs the Pelicans (watch someone research the numbers and show that he did but anyway...). If we make popularity such an important factor then there may only be two superstars, James and Doncic. There are certain teams that consistently sell out of course but that's because of the overall team, not just the best player.

[SouBeachTalents]

I hate how often this frankly stupid conversation comes up. A superstar label should be solely about a players performance, not their popularity. Jokic wouldn't sell out any arena on the road, that doesn't change the fact he is by any measure a superstar and has been the best player in the league for 4-5 years now.

[Phoenix]

If we're being frank, removing Bron and Curry from the equation since they're in their twilight years, which established star or upcoming star nowadays is really selling out arenas on the road? If that's the metric, then none of these guys are 'superstars'. Jokic isn't selling out road arenas. Is Giannis? ANT? SGA? Tatum?

[Hey Yo]

After all these years.... Magic still continues to raise eyebrows but for the wrong reasons.

[rmt]

By that definition, there are only 2 current NBA superstars: LBJ and Curry. The casual person on the street doesn't know Jokic, Luka, Giannis, SGA, Tatum, etc.

[Lakers Legend#32]

Listen to Magic.

[iamgine]

Basically he's saying a superstar has to be extremely popular. Which I agree. Of course you need the skill too but that part really doesn't need to be said out loud.

Like Tim Duncan was a great player, perhaps the best player in the world at one point or another. But he was not a superstar.

[Real Men Wear Green]

If the best player in the world is not a "superstar" then that title ceases to matter.

[Phoenix]

I've always viewed a superstar purely in basketball parlance, as a great player who is a franchise anchor. If it's being relegated to who 'sells out on the road', then I would think relatively few have had that drawing power compared to the number of players who are merely great at basketball. Like, someone who both draws and is great enough at basketball to be among the best in the league isn't all that common.