Without knowing the rest of the roster, which PG would you pick first: Magic or Curry?

[70sFan]

how is this not Steph by a mile? obviously in a vacuum Magic is better but Steph is way more versatile and fits way more lineups/schemes than Magic.

gotta go Steph because it's just a much better chance he'll fit better next to whoever you throw out next to him.

It's impossible to find a team where Magic wouldn't fit well, he's extremely portable and he proved it early in his career when he played next to ball-dominant guard and high scoring post player. Magic could play many roles on offense and his transition game along with passing fits to anyone perfectly.

Curry definitely isn't "way more versatile" and he didn't "fit way more lineups/schemes".

[monalotry]

A team optimized around Magic > a team optimized around Curry. Curry may be more portable, but there really aren't that many players you couldn't make work with Magic so that doesn't sway me.

[DCasey91]

Curry.

I value scoring more than playmaking. Steph can be the primary scorer on a championship team.

2015? Injuries to the Cavs
2016? Injuries to them (was poor)
2017/2018 NO. 2019? Cool score
2021? Cool score what happened lost to the Grizzlies.

As a PG Curry is somewhat overrated (Passing/turnovers goes up the more he shot hunts).

It doesn’t read out that way.

Magic + Durant and the godly team is chips too let’s not forget that. My god Magic with Durant F that noise.

[Johnny Tomala]

Magic, better PG, better defender. There is a lot of players I'd take over Steph to run my team offense.

[70sFan]

Curry.

I value scoring more than playmaking. Steph can be the primary scorer on a championship team.

Magic also could be primary scorer on a championship team. He literally was Lakers primary scorer in 1991 when they reached the finals and he was the most resiliant and most consistent Lakers scorers in 1987-90 period.

[KembaWalker]

Curry
boils down to scoring>passing at the end of the day. Yes Magic can score a bit, and Curry can dish a bit but when we get down to it you're just hoping Magic brings passing that leads to good scoring whereas with Curry youre just getting the good scoring directly without hoping on the rest of the roster to do anything

[bisme37]

It feels weird not taking Magic but I'd take Curry for today's game. Magic couldn't shoot.

Have you see Magic play before? Couldn't shoot?

He had a set 15fter that was money, shot 85% from the line for his career and shot 35% from 3 his last 4 seasons when he started to work on that shot more including a 38% season from long

Maybe I'm sensitive about it because I have actual brain damage, but you can shove that emoji straight up your butt homie. There are much nicer ways to say things if the goal is an adult conversation.

[bisme37]

It feels weird not taking Magic but I'd take Curry for today's game. Magic couldn't shoot.

Magic shot better than a lot of modern perimeter stars. He's better shooter than LeBron for example.

Thanks for pointing it out. I remember young Magic I guess. But yeah, he was a good shooter by the end of his career. Not very firm on my choice of Steph anymore haha.

[Capn'O]

Steph Curry is probably the easiest guy to plug into just about any situation with any players.

But I take Magic Johnson because he's Magic Johnson.

[DCasey91]

With how open the lane is (was way more people in close back then) Magic would average 23+ easy.

He’s 6”9” and money in the post and on the drives.
Can’t foul him so he’ll have is way with little
guards being too small and too swift for bigger guys. Walking individual mismatch number one. And number two:

4 SHOOTERS! LOL a 4 out offense with Magic is ggs. A lot of long two’s in the game highlights back then it would just be the stock standard three. Can’t double a great passer either.

You’re asking would I pick Curry or basically a better playmaking LBJ with less defense? Magic all day.

A spread of shooters either side and all that space Magic would be absurd to watch. Just cut or launch at the rim easy points for you.

His 6.7 FTA’s for his playoff career would get bumped closer to 8 nowadays. It’s basically Lebron type offense added all up.

[70sFan]

Magic in pace and space era, along with heavy emphasis on heliocentric offense, would be unimaginably great. I know that Curry is extremely portable and his shooting opens up space for everybody, but Magic had no weaknesses offensively and his combination of size and passing makes him the ultimate walking missmatch in Doncic mold, but with higher BBIQ.

Both choices are understandable, but I'd take Magic even without taking into account injuries.

Magic was incredible, and he’d be incredible in any era…

…but to say he had no weaknesses is flat out ridiculous.

He wasn’t a great shooter, he wasn’t a truly great scorer (maybe the worst scorer next to Russell of players who are routinely placed in the top 10), and he wasn’t a great defender, even though he had the tools to be one.

Magic was GREAT…but no weaknesses? C’mon, man.

1. Magic was a great shooter at his peak (1987-90). He was ATG free throw shooter, excellent midrange shooter and good three point shooter when he actually shot them at decent volume.

2. Magic didn't score a lot, but he never struggled with scoring the ball. He was always extremely efficient and he could up his volume anytime Lakers needed that. He was inarguably better scorer than someone like Duncan or Garnett among top 10 players.

3. Defensive weaknesses has nothing to do with my point. I said he had no weaknesses offensively.

[DCasey91]

Look at the adjusted era for shooting, Magic in some ways was ahead of the game. It’s funny he’d probably be better with how later in his career worked out with his shooting from range. The 3par league wise was 0.05 for his timeframe it was 0.09. You’ll see the change later on. I wouldn’t bat an eyelid Magic rocking a 34%-36% 3ball today no question about it. He’s way way too smart of an operator we are dealing with here.

He’s basically LBJ with less defense, less scoring but with more passing, much better FT shooter (kills his era FT adjusted) and potentially just a straight better shooter in general. Basically what LBJ should have focused on more (passing).

[GSP]

It feels weird not taking Magic but I'd take Curry for today's game. Magic couldn't shoot.

Have you see Magic play before? Couldn't shoot?

He had a set 15fter that was money, shot 85% from the line for his career and shot 35% from 3 his last 4 seasons when he started to work on that shot more including a 38% season from long

Maybe I'm sensitive about it because I have actual brain damage, but you can shove that emoji straight up your butt homie. There are much nicer ways to say things if the goal is an adult conversation.

My apologies about your condition. Wasn't my intention at all I use that emoji a lot. I should've been more mindful

With that said saying "Magic can't shoot" is simply an asinine comment. He couldn't shoot like Steph or Bird but he wasn't Ben Simmons out there. He could shoot and shoot well

[rtiff68]

Magic in pace and space era, along with heavy emphasis on heliocentric offense, would be unimaginably great. I know that Curry is extremely portable and his shooting opens up space for everybody, but Magic had no weaknesses offensively and his combination of size and passing makes him the ultimate walking missmatch in Doncic mold, but with higher BBIQ.

Both choices are understandable, but I'd take Magic even without taking into account injuries.

Magic was incredible, and he’d be incredible in any era…

…but to say he had no weaknesses is flat out ridiculous.

He wasn’t a great shooter, he wasn’t a truly great scorer (maybe the worst scorer next to Russell of players who are routinely placed in the top 10), and he wasn’t a great defender, even though he had the tools to be one.

Magic was GREAT…but no weaknesses? C’mon, man.

1. Magic was a great shooter at his peak (1987-90). He was ATG free throw shooter, excellent midrange shooter and good three point shooter when he actually shot them at decent volume.

2. Magic didn't score a lot, but he never struggled with scoring the ball. He was always extremely efficient and he could up his volume anytime Lakers needed that. He was inarguably better scorer than someone like Duncan or Garnett among top 10 players.

3. Defensive weaknesses has nothing to do with my point. I said he had no weaknesses offensively.

Doubling down on a bad take is not a great look.

Magic was not a “great shooter,” especially in the greater context of NBA history. You, as a hoops history buff (and I generally enjoy your content here a ton, for what it’s worth) should certainly know that.

He could shoot well enough to keep teams honest, but he was never a great shooter. That, and assuming someone who was never a great volume scorer but “could’ve been if they wanted” is one of the weakest common arguments on boards like this. It’s the same thing some people argue about Ginobili: “he could’ve averaged over 30 if he wanted to!”

Magic was great, but there’s no need to pretend that he was things that he wasn’t.

[DCasey91]

Yeah the Ben and Magic comp is horrible. Magic would no doubt shoot in today’s NBA and be fine heck he’d be above average for his size. That’s all he has to be really and for his era he was definitely 100% that no question.

Not to mention the huge added space, modern system offense of movement, analytics, A lot less long twos , lane open, hyperheliocentrism etc etc.

[Spintown]

Easily Magic. He can maximize the potential of the roster while Curry needs atleast two other Allstars to even have a chance.

[70sFan]

Magic was incredible, and he’d be incredible in any era…

…but to say he had no weaknesses is flat out ridiculous.

He wasn’t a great shooter, he wasn’t a truly great scorer (maybe the worst scorer next to Russell of players who are routinely placed in the top 10), and he wasn’t a great defender, even though he had the tools to be one.

Magic was GREAT…but no weaknesses? C’mon, man.

1. Magic was a great shooter at his peak (1987-90). He was ATG free throw shooter, excellent midrange shooter and good three point shooter when he actually shot them at decent volume.

2. Magic didn't score a lot, but he never struggled with scoring the ball. He was always extremely efficient and he could up his volume anytime Lakers needed that. He was inarguably better scorer than someone like Duncan or Garnett among top 10 players.

3. Defensive weaknesses has nothing to do with my point. I said he had no weaknesses offensively.

Doubling down on a bad take is not a great look.

Magic was not a “great shooter,” especially in the greater context of NBA history. You, as a hoops history buff (and I generally enjoy your content here a ton, for what it’s worth) should certainly know that.

He could shoot well enough to keep teams honest, but he was never a great shooter. That, and assuming someone who was never a great volume scorer but “could’ve been if they wanted” is one of the weakest common arguments on boards like this. It’s the same thing some people argue about Ginobili: “he could’ve averaged over 30 if he wanted to!”

Magic was great, but there’s no need to pretend that he was things that he wasn’t.

I won't back down from my take, sorry but you won't convince me that Magic isn't a great scorer or shooter. Magic's game wasn't about scoring, but he never had any problems with upping his volume when wanted to. He didn't take a lot of jumpers either, but he could punish you everytime you tried to leave him open.

Magic wasn't ATG shooter, but his shooting touch was exceptional. You can't be 90% FT shooter without great shooting touch. You also can't average 20 ppg on 60% TS for almost decade of long postseason runs without being a great scorer.

[Sark]

[DCasey91]

At my fair est I think Lebron is the better scorer obviously and a better defender. But Magic is a far better passer/playmaker and dare I say it a more efficient jump shooter for lack of a better term, his evidence is pretty clear here imo.

League average wise below but his 3par trounces it (0.05 to his 0.09) and the three years once he got older he hit 34% on the 3ball on over 700 attempts in three years. Magic is a lot closer Lebron then Curry is. He demolished it league wise FT% by a fair sized distance so you can’t put him on the line (which he’ll get it to it so much easier today lol). Seriously look at how many times the lane is open or occupied by one player. That’s freeeeeee points.

It’s not hard to imagine Magic being a 34% 3 ball on 3pas a game and being ++ FT shooter for his size which he was most certainly. Add all that up he’s a plus shooter overall in my eyes and certainly not a liability it’s a free added bonus to everything else.

Post game he was $$$$$ that’s a huge mismatch whoever you put on him.

Magic’s versatility is so much more then Currys. He’s the best 6”9” ball-handler in NBA history ffs! Put some respect on the man’s name. PG/SF/PF small ball it don’t matter Magic is Magic.

Don’t even need a PG to get him 1v1 on the interior. Put a big on him it’s ggs put a little guy on him bully ball..... doesn’t that remind you of someone? lmao and of course the ATG passing/playmaking. The heck are you going to do about it. Sweet FA is my guess.

[Adam Stern]

I feel like anyone who actually saw both players play is going to pick Earvin 10 times out of 10.

Size, skill, IQ, leadership, passion, motor, and built for the big stage.
Magic checked all the boxes.