Why is Magic Johnson called a Point Guard?

Statlanta · Post #1 » by **Statlanta** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:48 pm

I want to preface this as I know positions are somewhat nominal and that I started watching basketball well after his era of dominance.

I want to know why Magic Johnson was deemed a PG. I want to know why he's called a PG when other guys his height/position like LeBron, Giannis, Ben Simmons, Grant Hill aren't especially when LeBron at times proved he could defend a PG. Why is Magic a slightly above average defender who only sorta guarded PGs(at least in the games I've watched) called a PG? Is it his ball dominance and his elite passing vision that gets him the nod? I want to see what people think as I wonder if it was just a media sell of the era or a legitimate thing..

ballbrah · Post #2 » by **ballbrah** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:56 pm

He brought the ball up the court and got a lot of assists.

Post #3 » by **moocow007** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:57 pm

Usually when a guy that is penciled in and announced game in and game out as the teams starting PG would be considered a starting PG. I can understand some of the Lebron comparisons as Lebron is often times his teams top assists man and has played with "role playing" starting point guards but not seeing where the Giannis or Ben Simmons inferences is even remotely coming from. I mean my goodness we are talking about one of if not the greatest point guards and players in NBA history. A guy that has lead his team (as the official starting PG and often times only adequately skilled ball handler) to numerous championships and who is the all time in assists per game (and top 5 in overall assists in spite of playing a lot less games than the other 4 guys in the top 5) and you are comparing him to Giannis (who has averaged 2.9apg for his career) and Ben Simmons (who hasn't even played a game in the NBA yet)? Anthony Mason averaged more apg than Giannis, why not mention him? How about Grant Hill? How about Paul George? Conversely, why is Steve Nash a point guard? Why is John Stockton a point guard? Steph Curry? Chris Paul? Are you focused on height maybe?

CarMalone · Post #4 » by **CarMalone** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:58 pm

Because of James Worthy.

In reality, basketball is a positionless sport. There is technically nothing a PG can do that a C can't, but the game has evolved to have players specialize into their specific skills.

Kevin Johnson · Post #5 » by **Kevin Johnson** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:12 pm

CarMalone wrote:In reality, basketball is a positionless sport.

I just read this in Jalen Rose's voice and I cringed :-?

JazzyPhinz · Post #6 » by **JazzyPhinz** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:18 pm

Same reason Duncan is called a PF while he really is a C.
For ranking purposes.

Duncan isnt the best C but can be the best PF.
Magic wont be the best SF but will be a top PG.

Post #7 » by **Nolan** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:19 pm

Cause he played PG.... I don't get why this is even a question.

Kevin Johnson · Post #8 » by **Kevin Johnson** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:24 pm

Why is Kareem called a center?

papidulo · Post #9 » by **papidulo** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:30 pm

Nolan wrote:Cause he played PG.... I don't get why this is even a question.

Ditto...

The guy who does the bulk of setting up other teammates is usually referred to as a point guard. Even NBA teams run plays, and the guy who usually initiates the play is the "point" guard, because the "point of origin" within the play usually begins with that person

Post #10 » by **Nolan** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:30 pm

JazzyPhinz wrote:Same reason Duncan is called a PF while he really is a C.
For ranking purposes.

Duncan isnt the best C but can be the best PF.
Magic wont be the best SF but will be a top PG.

Does anyone really believe this though? Like really?

Duncan's whole career was a 20 year scam to get himself ranked as the top PF of all time because him and Pops both knew that he wasn't good enough to be the greatest center of all time.

Does anyone really believe that either Tim or Pops gives a single **** about where he stands on the all time list? Like even one?

Ferulci · Post #11 » by **Ferulci** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:30 pm

ballbrah wrote:He brought the ball up the court and got a lot of assists.

And we are done here. Next question : Why is Michael Jordan called a Shooting Guard ?

CarMalone · Post #12 » by **CarMalone** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:32 pm

Kevin Johnson wrote:
CarMalone wrote:In reality, basketball is a positionless sport.

I just read this in Jalen Rose's voice and I cringed

I just read Jalen Rose's name and I cringed.

Statlanta · Post #13 » by **Statlanta** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:36 pm

Nolan wrote:Cause he played PG.... I don't get why this is even a question.

I wonder why Michael Cooper is called an SG when like Mario Chalmers(who is called PG) he guarded smaller quicker guards on the regular. Grant Hill was the primary ball-handler for his team while Lindsey Hunter is still called a PG while with Magic he's a Point Guard instead of called the phrase Point Forward. I have questions but I admit I might be thinking this too hard.

Post #14 » by **CoreyGallagher** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:37 pm

I haven't watched Magic enough to know how often he guarded other team's Forwards or PG's, let alone how effectively he guarded each, so I'll go by what I was told.

I'm not sure what he'd be considered nowadays, I'm sure he'd still be as effective on offense, but he certainly wouldn't be guarding PG's of this era and generally the position that players guard is what they're considered to be.

2klegend · Post #15 » by **2klegend** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:37 pm

Magic Johnson is what you call a prototype PG in a SF body. Being a PG is more than just bring the ball up and pass to others. It's more than being under 6'5. And it is certainly more than being call a PG because of coach decision. Magic exhibits quality of a PG.

-he knows the offense in and out
-he knows the tendencies of all the players on the court
-he makes the right decision
-he has court vision and passing skill that 99% of standard PG doesn't possess.

Generally speaking, if you're a player who can run the offense and great at passing then you're a perfect PG. For example, Magic is more of PG than Stephen Curry.

LakersLegacy · Post #16 » by **LakersLegacy** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:38 pm

Laker fans don't call Magic Johnson a point guard. We call him point god.

JazzyPhinz · Post #17 » by **JazzyPhinz** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:40 pm

Nolan wrote:
JazzyPhinz wrote:Same reason Duncan is called a PF while he really is a C.
For ranking purposes.

Duncan isnt the best C but can be the best PF.
Magic wont be the best SF but will be a top PG.

Does anyone really believe this though? Like really?

Duncan's whole career was a 20 year scam to get himself ranked as the top PF of all time because him and Pops both knew that he wasn't good enough to be the greatest center of all time.

Does anyone really believe that either Tim or Pops gives a single **** about where he stands on the all time list? Like even one?

No they wont give an S.
But dont act like it not a debatable topic as it has been talked about to death here on the boards.

Duncan guards the other teams C and the other teams C guards Duncan.
When Duncan was played with another center it was a twin towers offense. (Twin towers means 2 Centers)
Just like Pau Gasol/Bynum and Pau Gasol aint no PF.

PF Duncan
C Matt Bonner (Yea ok)

Magic is a PG just like Lebron is a PG.

sixerswillrule · Post #18 » by **sixerswillrule** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:46 pm

LakersLegacy wrote:Laker fans don't call Magic Johnson a point guard. We call him point god.

That's how Brett Brown calls every point guard.

2klegend · Post #19 » by **2klegend** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:48 pm

Another thing about Magic's PG skill. There is no nobody can who can control the game and pace like he does. If he wants to play fast full-court, then you're force to play with that style. If he decides to slow down in half court for post up, you're force to play his style. When Magic is on the court, he will decide how the game is play for BOTH team.

Cappy_Smurf · Post #20 » by **Cappy_Smurf** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:50 pm

Because the term point-forward didn't exist until well after he was accepted as a PG.