Prime LeBron James or Prime Magic Johnson

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newarkcatholicfan

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Dec 18, 2009 3:22 PM
Who would you take?
Dec 18, 2009 3:22pm
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2quik4u

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Dec 18, 2009 3:45 PM
Yinka Dare
Dec 18, 2009 3:45pm
Sage's avatar

Sage

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2,070 posts
Dec 18, 2009 3:50 PM
I've always thought this was the clear comparison to LBJ these days. In terms of size as well as game.

LeBron was much more athletic due to his era, but Magic was much more skilled and could play all five positions. Something I have yet to see out of LBJ.

I'd take Magic, but then again I'm clearly biased. I still contend Magic was better than MJ.
Dec 18, 2009 3:50pm
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

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Dec 18, 2009 3:56 PM
Do you also think Magic is better than Kobe?

I'm honestly with you on the Magic - MJ thing.

People were/are so blinded by the MJ hype. He was GREAT no doubt, but to call him the greatest ever?

Magic was an amazing player. As were Russell, Chamberlain, Dr. J, Oscar Robertson, Kareem, Hakeem, and several others...
Dec 18, 2009 3:56pm
SQ_Crazies's avatar

SQ_Crazies

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Dec 18, 2009 5:23 PM
LeBron. It will be clear when it's all said and done--I'm not trying to take a single thing away from Magic. Definitely one of the greatest to ever play. I don't put him over Jordan because I do consider Jordan the GOAT--but he isn't far behind either.
Dec 18, 2009 5:23pm
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sleeper

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Dec 18, 2009 5:26 PM
LTrain23 wrote: People were/are so blinded by the MJ hype. He was GREAT no doubt, but to call him the greatest ever?
I don't think Jordan is the GOAT either.

I never saw Magic Johnson play, so I have no idea, but I'll take Lebron.
Dec 18, 2009 5:26pm
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wes_mantooth

Tomfoolery & shenanigans

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Dec 18, 2009 5:56 PM
Sage wrote:

LeBron was much more athletic due to his era, but Magic was much more skilled and could play all five positions. Something I have yet to see out of LBJ.

The only thing that I would question about Magic was his "set shot".....he didn't really have a pull up jumper, so I would question him being able to play the 2 spot. But he more than made up for that with that little baby hook that he used when he backed guys down. To me, Magic out finessed guys, where Lebron overpowers them.

Right now, I would take Magic, but this will be fun to revisit in 5 years.
Dec 18, 2009 5:56pm
D

devil1197

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6,220 posts
Dec 18, 2009 7:10 PM
Considering LeBron is not even halfway through his career and you are comparing him to one of the greatest is saying ALOT.
Dec 18, 2009 7:10pm
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SQ_Crazies

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Dec 18, 2009 7:13 PM
^Yeah I've been saying that for awhile now--that tells me all I need to know, just the fact that there is a debate. There has never been a SERIOUS debate this yearly in a players career like this--with the exception of Jordan and look how that turned out.
Dec 18, 2009 7:13pm
H

HiddenGems

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Dec 18, 2009 7:23 PM
LBJ debates on the upper echelon of NBA players ever is not fair to LBJ. He has not topped out yet and his career totals can't compare to MJ,Shaq,Magic and the lot.

One thing that has been missing from these threads is concrete research. No career avg's or up to this age stats or accolades or anything.
Dec 18, 2009 7:23pm
SQ_Crazies's avatar

SQ_Crazies

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Dec 18, 2009 7:24 PM
I've done that research in the past and LeBron is right there with anybody--much better than most. I'd do it again, but I'm not really in the mood right now--maybe tomorrow.
Dec 18, 2009 7:24pm
A

alwaysafan

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99 posts
Dec 18, 2009 7:32 PM
Jordan is the greatest player in the sense that he completely transcended the game more than any other NBA player--ever. Some consider him the greatest athlete ever as well. It really was the perfect storm: talent, media market, championships, coach, marketing, rise of the superstar (as opposed to team). It is not the fault of other players that they were not in his position--it just is what it is.

Whether Jordan was the most talented is more up for debate. I am not quite sure on this yet.
Dec 18, 2009 7:32pm
SQ_Crazies's avatar

SQ_Crazies

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Dec 18, 2009 7:38 PM
Jordan is the GOAT IMO. Greatest athlete in NBA history goes to Wilt IMO, and that really isn't even close for me.
Dec 18, 2009 7:38pm
hoops23's avatar

hoops23

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Dec 19, 2009 1:58 AM
HiddenGems wrote: LBJ debates on the upper echelon of NBA players ever is not fair to LBJ. He has not topped out yet and his career totals can't compare to MJ,Shaq,Magic and the lot.

One thing that has been missing from these threads is concrete research. No career avg's or up to this age stats or accolades or anything.
Well, I've done the research of Kobe, MJ, and LeBron within their first 7 years back on the old huddle when the big debate was going on...

The results?

LeBron was > both within the first 7 years of his career. Jordan has him beat in PPG by about 1, almost 2 points and LeBron has MJ beat in APG, RPG, and I think FG%.. I could be wrong about the FG% though..

LeBron was > Kobe in just about EVERY category, including PPG, RPG, and APG.. He also shoots a better % from the field, and has shot better from 3 as well.
Dec 19, 2009 1:58am
J

JakeGiant

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Dec 19, 2009 2:27 AM
Magic, and yes, I have Magic>Kobe.
Dec 19, 2009 2:27am
Skyhook79's avatar

Skyhook79

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Dec 19, 2009 9:07 AM
This is laughable. Comparing Lebron who has ZERO Titles to 3 guys who have 15 between them.
Stats don't tell half the story. Magic could have averaged 30 ppg if he wanted to.
Dec 19, 2009 9:07am
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Trueblue23

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Dec 19, 2009 9:37 AM
Let's not forget that Magic's career was cut short..

I've always said that if you forget about stats, awards and all of that shit, the top 10 is VERY different than most people would see it. Honestly, do you REALLY think there are TEN players in the history of the NBA better than Kobe and LeBron??! I sure as hell do not.
Dec 19, 2009 9:37am
Skyhook79's avatar

Skyhook79

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Dec 19, 2009 10:23 AM
Trueblue23 wrote: Let's not forget that Magic's career was cut short..

I've always said that if you forget about stats, awards and all of that shit, the top 10 is VERY different than most people would see it. Honestly, do you REALLY think there are TEN players in the history of the NBA better than Kobe and LeBron??! I sure as hell do not.
Wilt
Kareem
MJ
Magic
Bird
Oscar
Shaq
Dr J
Russell
West
Dec 19, 2009 10:23am
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SQ_Crazies

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Dec 19, 2009 6:21 PM
^No.
Dec 19, 2009 6:21pm
J

Jesus Christ

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Dec 20, 2009 12:52 AM
Prime Muggsy Bogues.
Dec 20, 2009 12:52am