Magic Johnson | No. 4. | Nick Wright’s Top 50 NBA Players of the Last 50 Years

[@WhatsWrightShow]

Was Magic Johnson the best point guard of all-time?

[@ckaiborbor]

Yes.

[@jamelswanson3529]

It's not even close whn u talk abt pg. Wildest take on him being the best center today us an excellent exercise in the possibilities, could he have developed himself into a respectable knockdown shooter? Who knows, I think 4 is abt right but I may have gone 3, which I'm sure you can respect

[@michaelhoganmusic]

I.T was closer than history admits. Dude got Duncan'd by going to a stacked team as a number one pick. Give Stockton, I.T, Glove, the same opportunity....I smell 4 or 5 chips for each one. No shade, magic top 11 ever, top 3 PG all time

[@realdeal4854]

@@michaelhoganmusic the team didn't make playoffs year before Magic was drafted... Stop the CAP!

[@michaelhoganmusic]

I cant tell if your trolling because of the username...but if not' Magic went to a stacked team. A leagues best team. They lost to the sonics in the playoffs The year prior. Kareem was all nba, and all nba defensive' after back to back MVP seasons. Dantley was two years removed from ROY' getting 20/10 and when traded the next year dropped 30ppg 4 years in a row with Utah to show you what they were working with. Their PG Nixon was all nba defense, 18/8, led there league in steals and was an All star the following year........They acquired Magic through a Gail Goodrich trade' number 1 overall. It was pretty crazy because The lakers were already a strong contender and to land Magic felt unfair. Which was first illustrated when they went on the win the title his rookie year.

[@DaggerMan11]

Nick knows ball tbh. I know spitting hot takes is part of the job, but if you look past the hot takes his analysis be on point

[@Orangepenguin521]

lebrons the goat

[@yelsu3358]

@Pretend well lebron is the goat so

[@Matrix1ne]

He know his stats off google he don’t know ball.

[@diallo1347]

My uncle always called Magic the Smiling Assassin. People see him now and his bright smile and have no clue that the dude dominated and broke many top 75 players hearts in the playoffs and finals.

[@troofball4]

I love the way Nick describes Magic Johnson's playoff career with such passion. His numbers were bananas though

[@ronduece9066]

Magic is the only legend that that was in his prime his entire career

[@harinderrana9735]

He was not in his prime when he tried to make a comeback in 1996 at age 36.

[@ronduece9066]

@@harinderrana9735 he actually was. He retired bc ppl were scared to play against him 👀🤣

[@bobbybuxani1157]

Bron?

[@ronduece9066]

@@bobbybuxani1157 Bron got a case but he ain't make the playoffs his first 2 years. He def got the longest prime tho

[@rudi_tabootie]

@@ronduece9066 id say his level of play has been high his whole career despite the playoff runs after 2020.

[@andrewchester3527]

Crazy that if they counted assists the way they do today magic would’ve averaged over 20 assists regularly

[@jungshin87]

book of basketball level analysis. its too bad people will overlook this series because it is amazing.

[@semi6544]

This was good. Thank you for this.

[@jiggacho]

Facts Magic was instant Good. Became instant great

[@allenpyi]

As a kid I used to hate him especially when playing against my Celtics. He was a great player. He was somewhat fortunate to have been paired with Kareem who I think is the 2nd greatest player ever. He also had James Worthy as a teammate who is one of most underrated player in history.

[@ricomusap614]

Magic. Was soo good it was scary But what i remember the most was how powerful his mind will and personality were..you missed out nick...he brought sunshine and joy to LA the league and to the World you. Mentioned. All those high assist. Games....remember every assist brought pure joy to the fans his team mates. And the league everybody talks. About rings. And championships but it. Was. Magic who first brought it into. Conversation...not to mention that he saved. The league with his. Winning skill and personality!!!!!

[@edisjd]

Magic could easily be the GOAT if he played more

[@ChangeGonnaComeSoon]

I see why Clyde hated on him, bro was mad af lmao

[@SUPESKI]

I honestly think you can make a case magic top 3 all time

[@ZZ-ex8py]

Magic not top 5

[@gqprince2]

I get what's hes dine I just don't think he's top 5.

[@bobbyd1632]

Not quite but very close

[@kendall854]

Got a great take for you, the reason KD requested a trade is because (Kyrie lakers deal is a lock) he doesn’t want to play with Westbrook again👀

[@user-mr762nobody]

Magic is my favourite player of all time if he didn't stop he would be second best ever bill Russell #1

[@donnielewis8649]

If you want to put Magic above Kobe that debate could go either way but one thing that can't be debated is that Magic and also Kareem benefitted from a stellar front office.From Owner Jerry Buss to President Bill Sharman to GM Jerry West.Look at the talent assembled during that Showtime Laker Era.If you haven't heard about Bill Sharman Google his resume.We know about Pau Gasol Lamar Odom and Ron Artest but GM Mitch Kupchac did not draft 1 player that stayed with the team 10 years and made 1 all-star team.Contrast this with West with the Showtime Lakers and also the San Antonio Spurs 20+ year run.I am shocked that Kobe has as many championships as Magic and Tim Duncan with such a average front office.And please don't bring up Karl Malone,Gary Payton and Dwight Howard who all played just 1 year.Steve Nash doesn't count he was done.Look at the players that Jerry West got Magic,it is absolutely mind-boggling.And then look at who the Spurs drafted for Tim Duncan.Manu ginnobl Tony Parker and Kwahi Leonard.Who did Mitch Kupchac draft for Kobe?Andrew Bynum was the only guy but he played for 4-5 years when he was healthy.There is no denying these facts.

[@andrewserieys9890]

Even though Jordan will be 2nd which i disagree with it will still be cool to here nick say good things about him😂

[@eljefe6161]

He's going to put Jordan third

[@Noin007]

I expect we'll see Jordan 3rd and 1/2 the video will be him finding ways to explain why Jordan is overrated. 🙃 I really hope I'm wrong.

[@slammerkirt]

Nick drank the clutch sports cool aint and he gave shannon what was left

[@bbbbraaaaaaatttttt]

Facts

[@drakemontes4624]

Lol Jordan will be third 😂

[@dantheman8152]

Agreed I have Magic on my Mount Rushmore

[@chrislacy1990]

I’m not mad at that. Magic almost made my Mount Rushmore. Here’s who I got: - Bill Russell - Wilt Chamberlain - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Michael Jordan

[@vexotimmer2675]

@@chrislacy1990 Your Mount Rushmore is almost identical to mine. Mine is.... - Michael Jordan - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Bill Russell - Magic Johnson

[@mannymatencio1279]

Well west conf. was cake walk in the 80's

[@cosmos9627]

1. Jordan 2. Lebron 3. Kareem

[@DrillupVRoy]

My favorite player 🏀🏀🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jantaramiyongsuntriyapas2570]

LEBRON is the GOAT. All-Time scoring record. Only player in 30K-10K-10K. Beat better teams in the Finals. Won for 3 different team. Won rings in different decades. 8-Straight Conference Champs. Most All-NBA selection. Most All-Star selection.

[@louiev100]

Sucks he only played 12 seasons :(

[@dennyhunte9467]

Wow.

[@kilobishop8364]

I left a lot out because he had to make an hour plus breakdown for his crush lejackoff James 😂

[@Nihilus]

WILDESSSSS :D

[@SaurabhSingh-zr2tw]

My only argument against this pick is that you obviously have Kareem at no 3 or no 2. Then the question is why didnt no 4 and no 3 on your list win more championships together? No 2 Michael Jordan and no 20 something scottie won 6. Kareem was in his prime till arguably 85. So they had 6 solid seasons together. Do you think 3 in 6 years is good enough to justify this ranking? On the flip side they did go up repeatedly against top 15 players(bird,moses,dr j, hakeem) Compared to Michael and scotty(drexler, barkley, malone, stockton, payton,kemp, magic with an injured team) so competition level was not the same.

[@koolkai4299]

Magic and Kareem got swept in the NBA Finals vs the 76ers in 1983

[@SaurabhSingh-zr2tw]

@@koolkai4299 yeah that wasnt good. But to be fair they did go up against 3 hall of famers in their prime. And had a stacked team apart from dr j and moses. Lakers stars worthy and magic were both 22. 76ers had - Bobby Jones- 4 time all star from 78-82. 11 time all defense Andrew tony- 2 time all star(all star in 1983) Maurice cheeks - 4 time all star(all star in 1983)&5 time all defence

[@pinbarbecue1100]

Magic over Kareem because he make the Showtime Lakers and make everybody on that team better

[@robbnoble1509]

There was a reason Kareem kept his numbers up for so long. That's because he had the greatest PG in history diming him up. Nobody should have Kareem over Magic.

[@notjazz.]

🤨🤨

[@pinbarbecue1100]

@@robbnoble1509 facts!!! Magic had impacted those Lakers for years

[@h.o.w.ahowsmoovprod.3154]

I got magic ahead of Jordan nobody beating a young magic.

[@juicethreetwo]

you made such a strong case that id say magic is the goat! tops jordan and lebron for sure. but is he better than bird?

[@bgko91880]

Magic is not better than Bird. Bird could do practically everything Magic could do but a way better shooter.

[@SuperfanK]

Magic got hurt in Game 3 of the 1989 Finals not game 2

[@jeromemaida4933]

No. He pulled his hamstring in Game 2.

[@realdeal4854]

Game 2 Smart guy

[@tommartling2473]

Magic was always in the middle of the court leading the break because he didn't play defense.

[@treyivey9814]

Sorry man Kobe at 6 did it for me. This.list is sad

[@Comedyvibes]

Jesus Loves you and wants you to accept him as your Lord and saviour

[@bgood4449]

Not sure how he and Kareem can both be top 5. Seems to me they both had the best sidekick going. It is interesting that no one talks about his easy path in the West to the finals. A kid (20) with Kareem for all but game 6, hall of famer Jamaal Wilkes 26 years old and Norm Nixon 24 years old averaging 17.6 points and more assists 7.8. He had help every year.

[@kharis87]

Kareem won a title before him plus Kareem won MVP in Magic's rookie year as well as 5 MVPs before that and as Kareem went from leader of the team to second option and then 3rd option Magic showed he could lead the team and won MVPs and Finals MVPs. Both have to be top 5 just based on individual and collective accolades. Both are periods where they were best on the team. Kareem was almost 40 when he added his second Finals MVP in 1985. No doubt Lakers had great teams but so did the Celtics, Sixers, Bucks and Pistons. The 80's was a super team era. The West was rougher in the later 80's than earlier. Jazz, Mavs, Blazers fought with Lakers to 7 games. Dont forget Rockets beat them bad in 4 or 5 games 1986.

[@trippin9298]

All the help was the before Magic and the same squad was getting bounced in the 1st round. Some years they didn't make the playoffs. Magic was the only significant acquisition and the team went from a bubble playoff team to 5x Champs. When Magic retired, they went right back to a bubble playoff team getting bounced in the 1st round after making a finals the year before. IMO, he affected winning more than the great KAJ, and I have him above Cap slightly though Cap has more accolades and longetivity. KAJ did have 5 or 6 MVPs, along with 6 titles. He was without a doubt the best player in the 70s. That's how they're both top 5. KAJ was the best in the 70s and managed to play the entire 80s, win an MVP and a finals MVP. His 80s career is HoF worthy and he was the best of the 70s. No one else can say that.

[@jamesball8519]

@@kharis87 and the lakers sucked before magic got to the team

[@kharis87]

@@jamesball8519 sucked is an exaggeration. They were a playoff team before Magic. Magic i agree put them over the top. But Lakers dont win without Kareem. Look at those teams who won in the mid and late 70's while Kareem was with Lakers.......awesome all great teams. Lakers needed a special pg and they got it. Just remember Magic never won without Kareem.

[@MentLeee]

@@kharis87 but he made the Finals without Kareem

[@JaredMoody-f3c]

If we are being honest, if Curry wasn’t robbed of the finals, MVP in 15 an argument could’ve been made he should’ve won in 18 he would be in this position not magic.magic has more stinkers in the postseason than curry and got to play with a goat level player For basically his entire career

[@bobbyd1632]

Only Nick would talk about the ‘tragic’ Johnson series and reduce his take to basic stats. This guy is a joke of an analyst

[@dionysise5008]

i love the series but too many stats make it annoying

[@marcusg1021]

That's the best part!

[@abidanam3248]

Magic is better than LeBron

[@oagente.imobiliario]

Nick my man, Wilt gotta be tied with Kareem on 3, if he doesnt...the disrespect with the records itself will be OUTRAGEOUS, put Kobe on 6?! STEPHEN CURRY AT 10?! Durant and Giannis Top 20?? And no Wilt and Russel in sight?! Cmon man

[@trippin9298]

Last 50 years don't include Wilt and Russell

[@scottdavidson7543]

This list doesn't include Wilt and Russell

[@stillsmokntrees]

He's said past 50 years russel nor wilt make that exception

[@oagente.imobiliario]

Oh, didnt see that, my bad. Even tho WTF curry is doing at 10, Kobe at 6 Durant and Giannis Top 20?! FOH

[@ZZ-ex8py]

@@oagente.imobiliario who should be over curry at 10?

[@tommartling2473]

Two things not calculated. Magic had a great team around him. Hard not to be good with Kareem, Worthy, Scott, etc. I could average 10 assists a game with that team Here's the one no one talks about. Magic was a LAZY defensive player. PERIOD !! For that alone, he's out of my top 10.

[@AphasicMute]

Tell us how you would get those 10 assists...

[@realdeal4854]

U sound Ridiculous

[@RafaelGarcia-jb3me]

Tim Duncan was better.

[@gqprince2]

magic just doesn't do it for me.

[@t1ag217]

I disagree with you about one thing, curry is the greatest pg, not magic.

[@realdeal4854]

LMAOOO

[@heels4lifx]

Curry doesn’t touch Magic as a pure PG.

[@t1ag217]

@@heels4lifxhow? shooter: curry passing : curry game control : curry. Only on defense you can say that magic is better than curry

[@heels4lifx]

@@t1ag217 did you really say curry is a better passer? Wow, that is absolutely false. Curry is great passer. Magic is the GOAT passer. Anyone who knows basketball has Magic’s passing ability to control the game was on another level.

[@realdeal4854]

So the real answer is you are young and NEVER seen Magic Johnson play Basketball

[@mattsean6164]

Kobe >> Magic and not really even close

[@Landofhim]

You guys need to stop.

[@stonetoadaustin528]

HAHAHAHHAHA. You revised history sm you believe it????

[@XaviorJordan]

Saying it ain't close is crazy If somebody said either was the best Laker I'd NEVER debate it

[@scottdavidson7543]

I love Kobe but Magic is actually way better than Kobe.

[@jeromemaida4933]

Wrong.

[@chrisaxis5355]

hes overrated

[@mattsean6164]

The most overrated player in NBA history…. Magic Johnson. Couldn’t shoot to save his life, needed Worthy, Kareem and Rambis to win his championships. Just another awful choice by Nick!!!

[@matthewpulizos3444]

Lmao

[@themac2008]

You are alone on that one lol

[@dirtydan3016]

Ain’t no way you believe that lmao

[@jfmonster]

Go back to sleep, goofy talk

[@mattsean6164]

@SamoaVsEverybody_814 I’m actually a lakers fan. Try again bud

[@chrisperez3614]

They’re really trying to say Steph is better. It’s pretty close but I’m not putting Steph above Magic