Did Magic do anything better than Bird?

[cpower]

Bird is a very overrated scorer, career TS added 1054 vs Magic's 2098! Magic is an overall much better offensive player and its not close.

[Red Beast]

I see this narrative regularly that Bird was as good a passer as Magic, and it rarely gets challenged. Bird was a great passer, but Magic is the greatest passer of all time. He is easily a tier above in my opinion. Even if he had Bird's mobility and ball handling limitations, he would still be a better passer. Magic has made so many passes where I would be completely surprised that there was a pass there in the first place. Jokic is the only other comparable player that has the same sort of vision where I just didn't see the play. When you add Magic's ball handling, athleticism, size and ability to manipulate a defense; he is the greatest playmaker of all time.
Lebron is a great passer but in more of a clinical/surgical mode. He always makes the right read and passes to the obviously open man. Magic passes to the man that doesn't appear to be open.

[Hair Jordan]

I see this narrative regularly that Bird was as good a passer as Magic, and it rarely gets challenged. Bird was a great passer, but Magic is the greatest passer of all time. He is easily a tier above in my opinion. Even if he had Bird's mobility and ball handling limitations, he would still be a better passer. Magic has made so many passes where I would be completely surprised that there was a pass there in the first place. Jokic is the only other comparable player that has the same sort of vision where I just didn't see the play. When you add Magic's ball handling, athleticism, size and ability to manipulate a defense; he is the greatest playmaker of all time.
Lebron is a great passer but in more of a clinical/surgical mode. He always makes the right read and passes to the obviously open man. Magic passes to the man that doesn't appear to be open.

Magic being a better athlete is a narrative that rarely gets challenged. Bird threw down some reverse dunks and facials that Magic couldn’t match and was ambidextrous as well. He also played baseball/softball/golf whereas Magic was a one sport guy. I’m guessing it’s the classic white/black stereotype as to why most people think Magic was better athlete.

[70sFan]

Is this a serious thread?

Yes. What did Magic do better?

Ok, if so then:

- inside finishing,
- post game,
- slashing,
- ball-handling,
- playmaking,
- transition scoring,
- transition passing,
- P&R ball-handler role,
- perimeter defense,
- dealing with defensive pressure.

Just for starters.