Magic Johnson: Bird would beat me one-on-one

Fencer reregistered · Post #1 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:05 pm

And Paul is only a little behind Kobe as the best player in the league.

The former superstar flashed his famous smile when he was asked questions about basketball by sports reporters participating in the telepresence press conference. He declared Lakers player Kobe Bryant the best player in basketball but put Celtics forward Paul Pierce "right up there." And he said in a game of one-on-one between him and Bird, the former Celtics great would win, because Bird was always a better one-on-one player.

However, the interview was with a Framingham-based publication, so that may have slanted his answers.

From http://computerworld.com/action/article ... rc=hm_list

MyInsatiableOne · Post #2 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 5:25 pm

Ahhh Magic....I'm sure he continued his 30 yr-plus butchery of English during this, as well :lol:

Post #3 » by **sully00** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:11 pm

Of course Bird would beat Magic one on one, Bird is one of the great shooters of all time especially with a hand in his face, Magic is one of the greatest passers of all time an asset completely useless in a game of one on one.

Harison · Post #4 » by **Harison** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:19 pm

I loved both Magic and Bird, and its nice to see how much they both appreciate each other. Also its a nice surprise Magic put Pierce near Kobe, as if he is 2nd :wink:

As much as that would be cool its not the case, Pierce is somewhere at the end of Top 10.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #5 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 6:55 pm

Harison wrote:I loved both Magic and Bird, and its nice to see how much they both appreciate each other. Also its a nice surprise Magic put Pierce near Kobe, as if he is 2nd As much as that would be cool its not the case, Pierce is somewhere at the end of Top 10.

Wrong, I would put Pierce easily top 5, behind Kobe, LBJ, and then who knows?

Athanacropolis · Post #6 » by **Athanacropolis** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:11 pm

Magic has a great personal relationship with Pierce, so of course he's gonna hype Paul up. But Paul is THE TRUTH, so there

campybatman · Post #7 » by **campybatman** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:39 pm

I suppose that makes sense if you think about it. Bird could score a lot while Johnson could score, but had to be primarily a play maker being a lead guard and having capable teammates to score.

I feel Pierce deserves to be "up there" as well. But, Johnson is friends with Pierce and is a former Laker so his opinion on these two players could be a tad biased. I still say Duncan is the best player in the league, but we all have our own opinion(s).

What would be cool to watch is a game between Bryant, James and Pierce. I forget what you call it. But, the game's basically one versus two in a way.

He declared Lakers player Kobe Bryant the best player in basketball but put Celtics forward Paul Pierce "right up there." And he said in a game of one-on-one between him and Bird, the former Celtics great would win, because Bird was always a better one-on-one player.

Athanacropolis · Post #8 » by **Athanacropolis** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:42 pm

bonsaiflipflops wrote:I suppose that makes sense if you think about it. Bird could score a lot while Johnson could score, but had to be primarily a play maker being a lead guard and having capable teammates to score.

I feel Pierce deserves to be "up there" as well. But, Johnson is friends with Pierce and is a former Laker so his opinion on these two players could be a tad biased. I still say Duncan is the best player in the league, but we all have our own opinion(s).

What would be cool to watch is a game between Bryant, James and Pierce. I forget what you call it. But, the game's basically one versus two in a way.

He declared Lakers player Kobe Bryant the best player in basketball but put Celtics forward Paul Pierce "right up there." And he said in a game of one-on-one between him and Bird, the former Celtics great would win, because Bird was always a better one-on-one player.

You're talking about 21. And yes, that would be awesome to watch!

Fencer reregistered · Post #9 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:58 pm

sully00 wrote:Of course Bird would beat Magic one on one, Bird is one of the great shooters of all time especially with a hand in his face, Magic is one of the greatest passers of all time an asset completely useless in a game of one on one.

We have bingo!

DubaLakers · Post #10 » by **DubaLakers** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:13 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:Ahhh Magic....I'm sure he continued his 30 yr-plus butchery of English during this, as well

As I'm sure you continue to be an a$$.

This is from SUlly who is probably 15 years old and never seen anything before LBJ...Of course Bird would beat Magic one on one, Bird is one of the great shooters of all time especially with a hand in his face, Magic is one of the greatest passers of all time an asset completely useless in a game of one on one. :nonono:

Clearly you've never seen Magic play, especially in the playoffs, to make such an assinine statement. Even your Celtic brethren should have even called you out on that.

My starting three of five all-time would be...Magic, Kobe, Bird, I still go back and forth on PF/C, but those first three are solid. ...Yes I think Kobe is better than Jordan. LBJ is the most athletic basketball player I've ever seen, but he still isn't a closer, isn't a great shooter, doesn't really have a position, and continues to have trouble when he's doubled on the perimiter in crunch time.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #11 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:41 pm

DubaLakers wrote:
MyInsatiableOne wrote:Ahhh Magic....I'm sure he continued his 30 yr-plus butchery of English during this, as well

As I'm sure I continue to be an a$$

^^Fixed

You must not have a very good mastery of English either if you think Magic speaks it well! :lol:

Debating Magic vs Bird is pointless...Faker fans will pick Magic, C's fans pick Bird, and never the twain shall meet...so why bother?

DubaLakers · Post #12 » by **DubaLakers** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:20 pm

It would be a great matchup. Faker fans huh? Uggh your kind of a jerk Mr. 4000 posts. You always seem to have something nasty to say and you seem to always interpret it as funny with a lol remark. I check in on the Beantown site since I'm hoping for a finals rematch. Few open threads go wire to wire without you putting in your nasty 2 cents. At least I have respect for the C's.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #13 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:19 pm

Dude, c'mon, lighten up, it's all in good-natured fun. I too hope for a rematch of the Finals...it was a good series last year, and it would be a good one again this year.

My humor doesn't come across so good in an online forum, I guess, but please don't stop chatting with us here, seriously. I wish more Laker fans were like you than the ones we were getting last summer!