In most cases, the biggest debate in NBA circles is whether Michael Jordan or LeBron James is the greatest player of all time. This week, though, the conversation shifted to whether Magic Johnson or Steph Curry is the greatest point guard to ever play the game.
That garnered a response from “His Airness,” himself.
During Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith read a text message he received at 5:54 a.m. ET from Jordan, who made his pick in the debate. The Chicago Bulls legend chose Johnson and laid out his reasons.
“‘Good morning, sir,'” Smith read. “‘Although greatest of anything is always a debate, I beg to differ on greatest point guard of all time with what you said. Magic Johnson is easily the best point guard of all time. Steph Curry is very close, but not in front of Magic. You must define point guard to really have a serious debate. Steph Curry is by far the best shooter of all time. Yes, his movement has created many shots for his teammates. He’s a career 43% shooter.
“‘But Magic Johnson invented the triple double. Not true ‘invented,’ but makes it more noticeable in terms of the impact on the game. It’s a point guard stat, to be honest. Magic was the best. We can go on, but I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I know you get the point. By the way, Magic has five NBA championships.'”
Comparing Steph Curry to Magic Johnson
Johnson was one of the first real “unicorns” in NBA history. At 6-foot-9, he didn’t fit the “traditional” point guard mold and even started at center during the NBA Finals. A 12-time all-star and three-time MVP — not to mention the five titles Jordan mentioned — he cemented himself as one of the all-time greats.
For his career, Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists per game across his 13 years in the league.
Curry is also in that group as the greatest shooter of all-time. His 3,390 three-pointers rank as the most ever and his 43% field goal percentage ranks 12th among all players with a minimum of 400 games played.
In 14 years in the NBA, Curry is averaging 24.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
The debate started when Curry went on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast and declared himself over Johnson as the best point guard to ever play the game. However, he noted how much it means to be mentioned in the same breath as Johnson.
“Magic’s resume is ridiculous,” Curry said. “So the fact that we’re even having that conversation, that’s a place I never thought I’d be in. … How you graded and the whole conversation, that’s why we have the conversation, because it’s fun. Measuring eras against each other, I love it. That’s what basketball, that’s what sports are all about. That’s why people watch, that’s why people get in heated debates about it. I love it.
“Putting me on my own team, I’m gonna rep myself, for sure.”
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