RealGM

Who was better on offense, Michael or Magic?

Deep down I take Magic because Magic's passing would make getting your teammates to run up and down the floor cutting hard and playing defense really easy.

Jordan

imho, the two best offensive players of all time. I go with Magic for #1. Led arguably the greatest offense in history taking on whatever role was needed to insure success (to a degree that Jordan simply couldn't do).

Jordan was the greater scorer, Magic was greater at everything else . . . I'd go with Magic if they played the same defense.

I'll take Magic because he ran a beautiful Showtime offense to perfection for a whole decade, whereas Jordan's early Bulls teams didn't have as much offensive success despite his individual abilities. That said, the difference on offense between the Showtime Lakers and the '90s Bulls wasn't as pronounced as it might seem from just points per game alone, because the Lakers ran at a much faster pace. They are very comparable in terms of points per possession.

That said, I'll take Jordan in the clutch with the understanding that Magic made huge plays of his own over his career.

Magic

Bird

I think Magic is likely the better player to have for 45 minutes of the game. Jordan was just an unstoppable machine, and the ball could not be forced from him thanks to his passing aptitude and the unique design on the triangle. Magic relied on his excellent teammates making the shot, Jordan would routinely make it himself.

Its a really interesting comparision. I can't tell which I'd prefer, honestly. Jordan was by far the superior scorer, but the way Magic orchestrated an offense was beyond Jordan's grasp.

Magic, team offense > individual offense.

if you had a bad supporting cast then Jordan, if you had some other good players that could hit open shots consistently and cut to the rim then I'd rather have magic.

Jordan's physical abilities > magic's but in a 5 v 5 game... magic goes first.

A lot of people don't remember, but Magic was also an incredible finisher at the basket. Once he was heading towards the basket, he was near impossible to stop. He could have scored a lot more points if he needed to, but he never had to, because he trusted his teammates tremendously.

Even if you put Magic in with scrubs, if they are even half decent, they'll be productive because of how many open shots he created.

chrice wrote:A lot of people don't remember, but Magic was also an incredible finisher at the basket. Once he was heading towards the basket, he was near impossible to stop. He could have scored a lot more points if he needed to, but he never had to, because he trusted his teammates tremendously.

Even if you put Magic in with scrubs, if they are even half decent, they'll be productive because of how many open shots he created.

yeah, magic is the GOAT. and magic>>>>> MJ, magic is a MANU's type player, then care more about winning than individual stats. as a team player, i take MAGIC anyday of the week.

I'd go with Magic as well.

goat:manu wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



yeah, magic is the GOAT. and magic>>>>> MJ, magic is a MANU's type player, then care more about winning than individual stats. as a team player, i take MAGIC anyday of the week.

It helps when you have a top 2 Center and another top 3 player all time on your team in Kareem. And even so, he ended up not accomplishing as much Kareem nor MJ.

goat:manu wrote:yeah, magic is the GOAT. and magic>>>>> MJ, magic is a MANU's type player, then care more about winning than individual stats. as a team player, i take MAGIC anyday of the week.

Jordan didn't care about winning?

Scoring it is obviously Jordan, however Scoring alone is not Offense, as assists plays a part as well and efficiency.

As far as offensively, they are 1 and 2 all time. Magic's Points and Assists is worth 2 more points than MJ's and he is a higher TS%. However, MJ has led in OWS more than double anyone else. Not sure how much that factors in.

tbh in terms of THIS thread, it really should not be close...a team's offense is vastly more important and superior to individual's offense, and when you have a guy as good as Magic doing that, you take him, even over Jordan.

tmac4real wrote:tbh in terms of THIS thread, it really should not be close...a team's offense is vastly more important and superior to individual's offense, and when you have a guy as good as Magic doing that, you take him, even over Jordan.

Like it has been mentioned a team's offense is better when you have a dominant top 3 player all time at Center.