Magic Johnson/Patrick Ewing or Scottie Pippen/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

[Matt15]

Which duo would you rather build a new team around?

[No-more-rings]

Magic/Ewing. I think Ewing could’ve been a much more competent offensive player with someone like Magic. Pippen is a nice #2 to Kareem, but I don’t see how he raises Kareem’s game at all or vice versa.

[NW BBALL]

I agree, neither Kareem nor Pippen enhance each other’s game. Ewing and Magic however is really something to ponder. A Magic led offense and Ewing led defense are about as ideal anchors on either side of the court as is imaginable. Ewing never played with an offensive force, let alone a basketball savant, like Magic during his career (outside the Dream Team). Modern fans are unfortunately hard on Ewing but he led some legitimate contenders throughout the ‘90s as both the Knicks defensive AND offensive focal point (maybe that is why he is the all time sweatiest basketball player). Pairing with Magic would take the pressure off offensively. Goodness, imagine an offense where a young Ewing is the second option. Ewing could expend the bulk of his energy on defense. Each plays to their strength without being a liability on the end (versus say a Nash led offense with a Mutumbo led defense).