Is Magic Johnson Overrated?

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#NBA #MagicJohnson #Lakers

[@rustybuckets]

that Kareem MVP thing was off the top of my head with no research in a long ass time so take it with a grain of salt lol New deep dive! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYnQf3mJm5uWmLM

[@nickjones5850]

stop simping on twitter

[@Andandand25]

@@nickjones5850 bbbut it’s halie williams. Shut up

[@Andandand25]

You could do a “What if Magic Never Retired?” Also are you gonna continue the 2k series?

[@ChrisJerico2]

I think the bottom line is Magic compared to 2 players in particular. Where you see him compared to Kareem and Bird. If you feel Bird was better than Magic overall (which seems to be a more recent consensus shockingly) then he definitely can’t be top 5 because if Birds better than him, Bron probably is too and that already locks up 3 players not including Wilt, Kareem, Kobe, and Duncan who have an argument. And we’re well aware what having a player like Kareem can do to stifling your legacy overall, look at Kevin Durant with Stephen Curry or Scottie Pippen with Micheal Jordan. Personally I have Magic in top 10 but short of 5 at 7. Still amazing nonetheless

[@MrSlashblade]

Really you are lookin at 1980 nba finals and say Magic over Kareem? I mean up to 83 there’s not much you can say to put Magic over Kareem.

[@poonking3628]

Here’s Magic Johnson’s resume from 13 Seasons in the NBA: - 12 x All-Star - 10 x All NBA (all consecutive, 9 1st teams) - 3 x League MVP - 3 x Finals MVP - 5 x Champion (4 Finals losses) - Lead Showtime Lakers to NBA Finals 9 times in 11 seasons. Ummmm yeah guys I think this might be a top 5 player of all time.

[@kobelyles5107]

he number 3 behind Jordan Duncan

[@k.a.m8261]

He is definitely top 5

[@poonking3628]

@@kobelyles5107 I personally have him at 5, I got Jordan, LeBron, Kareem, Larry, then Magic.

[@kobelyles5107]

@@poonking3628 Karrem 💀 then Lefraud Magic Is the best ever for the Lakers

[@willsan2057]

Michael Jordan Resume 14x All-Star, 10x Scoring Champ,11x All Nba, 9x All-Defensive, 1xDPOY, 6x Champion, 6x Finals MVP, 5x League MVP Lebron James Resume 17x All-star,1x Scoring Champ,16x All-Nba, 6x All-Defensive, 4x Nba champion, 4x Finals MVP, 4x League MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabaar Resume 19xAll-Star,2x Scoring Champ, 15x All-Nba, 11x All-Defensive, 6x Nba champion, 2x Finals MVP, 6x League MVP Bill Russell Resume 12x All-Star, 4x Rebounding Champ, 11x All-Nba, Best defender ever, 11x Nba champion,FMVP did not exist, 5x MVP Kobe Bryant Resume 18x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champ, 15x All-Nba, 12x All-Defensive, 5x Nba champion,2x Finals MVp, 1x MVP Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan, and Larry Bird are all also better Ummmm yeah guys I think this might not be a top 5 player all time.

[@darkgable85]

Three players saved the NBA.... MJ Larry and Magic..... Three impactful players

[@yousoldthebag]

@NBA IS DYING well put

[@darkgable85]

@Jimmy Burkley naw it was on the verge of failing... Check your history and get back to me

[@sirbedevere4944]

@Jimmy Burkley the league was dying. The 70’s were horrible for basketball. Magic and Bird coming in really boosted the popularity and “saved” the legacies

[@sirbedevere4944]

@NBA IS DYING Dr. J was split between the ABA/NBA through the 70’s so him keeping the NBA afloat I would say he kept the ABA afloat way longer than it would’ve without him. Him coming to the NBA yeah it helped a bit but Magic/Bird really sent the league to another level

[@darkgable85]

@NBA IS DYING according to ESPN..... Larry Bird and Magic Johnson revived the NBA in the 1980s. It helped that neither program had a history of reaching the Final Four

[@KleinpeterHank]

Thinking Basketball made me re-confirm how great Magic was.

[@stimmit9448]

Yea, but thinking basketball has him as number 10 so not as high as rusty

[@WNPass]

@@stimmit9448 that's a bit of a misinterpretation. Ben repeatedly said at the beginning of each video that he was only measuring peaks. "Who was the best at their best." He defined that over and over to avoid the confusion of people interpreting his list as a top all time players list. For an extreme example, Bill Walton has a top 15 peak in history but wouldn't rank as a top 15 player of all time on almost any analysts list. There is a definite distinction.

[@KleinpeterHank]

@@WNPass Yea, there’s a difference between 2-3 year peaks and full careers. What I meant was his video highlighted his strengths as a player which extrapolated over a near 10-12 year prime.

[@paksta]

@@KleinpeterHank Exactly. It's worth considering that he was MVP and MVP runner-up in his last two full years. Worth also noting that Bird was MVP runner-up right before his devastating injury too. Those subsequent years are underrated what-ifs of NBA history.

[@buddyfats4768]

@@WNPass he has a list of his own all time players and he has magic at 10 I believe he does not believe magic is a top 5 player of all time

[@itztrimax6795]

Just imagine if he had a full career...

[@RealClutchMcGee]

In my eyes he would’ve had a case for GOAT with MJ, LeBron, and Kareem

[@TreDontPlay_]

@@RealClutchMcGee And Kobe

[@walljohn2499]

@@TreDontPlay_ Kobe is top 10 and number 10 calm down

[@lik7953]

@@walljohn2499 I can see him as high as 6 but not higher than Jordan lebron jabbar magic and bird

[@bowlensage2038]

@@lik7953 I dont see how magic is better than kobe. Better playmaker and rebounder but kobe is better at everything else. And magic did choke in the finals against the celtics

[@JackMorel]

Dont forget kareem was on the lakers before magic got there, and they werent even close to being contenders. Magic was the guy who raised the floor so much

[@vegetalover9297]

He did raise them up but Kareem is better

[@kingdinodragonite3470]

@@vegetalover9297 facts. Can’t believe Rusty undermine Magic’s insane help. There is a reason why Thinking Basketball only had Magic in number 10. Anyways Rusty overblown how Magic’s help is not that great. First of all, in the first 7 seasons of his career, Kareem was the better player and Kareem should have won the 1980 finals mvp, yes, Kareem played one less game but Kareem averaged 34ppg 14rebs and 5 blocks . Significantly much better than Magic and I don’t give a fuck if he missed one of the games. Kareem also won the 1985 finals mvp From 1979-1986: Kareem: 24ppg 8rebs 2.8blks on 59%fg Magic: 19ppg 10ast 5rebs on 54%fg Kareem has 55 Offensive Win shares compared to Magic’s 51 Kareem has 27 Defensive Win shares compared to Magic’s 25 So Kareem is the better player among the two for 7 seasons of Magic’s career. Kareem won one MVP and in my opinion, 2 Finals MVPs on that span compared to Magic’s 1 Finals MVP with no MVP.

[@briancabana6380]

@@kingdinodragonite3470 8 Rebounds per game for a stud center is pretty weak. Kareem was an offensive force until 1986, but Magic in that time was by far the more impactful player. A Kareem team with no Magic in it thoughout the 90s would be a slow, grinding post up team that gets eliminated in round 2 or 3.

[@joshualee9540]

I feel like people constantly forget how tight the top-10 is. How large is the gap between someone like Magic Johnson and Hakeem Olajuwon or Shaquille O'Neal? Honestly, it's very tight.

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

100% agree. For me, like 5-11 on my list could honestly be either way and I would be ok with it.

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

This is just such facts tho

[@savcitynineties4845]

That’s why ranking with tiers is better

[@joshualee9540]

@B Men I mean, sure, but how much of those rings can be due to situation? Hakeem has never had a team to the level of the '87 Lakers, for example. I find those things too situational to value heavily, especially if we're comparing players.

[@pittland44]

That's an excellent point.

[@ryankohler481]

Magic, a point guard, started at Center in game 6 of the finals for an injured Kareem Abdul-jabbar. As a rookie. And dropped 40. Enough said

[@picassojulien899]

Context is that magic is 6’9 and kareem averaged 33 and 17 before he went down. Magic was playing well before game 6 but not kareem level. Granted magic was rookie lol

[@cassiusfelix2805]

That's great and all but how does that make him a top 5 player?

[@vin7463]

He was playing against chess players

[@bluegregory6239]

Yes, Sir.

[@zureai]

​@vin7463 But hey its 2023, we got horse racers sweeping "the goat"

[@cohnjena6816]

Magic is a monster on defense in 2k😂

[@zaydagoat6952]

He don't even got clamps but still got every other defense badge

[@somericanguy]

wasnt' in real life

[@caesarlopezjr3792]

Even more so in 2k mobile, like he's so lanky and quick on his feet I could barely get past him with LeBron...

[@leftbenchplayaa]

2k gets it wrong everytime. magic was not like that irl. his defense was awful

[@crotchkicker666]

You were wrong about Magic’s jumpshot, his mid ranger was very good and he even led the league in free throw shooting one year. Still enjoyed the vid though!

[@1vaultdweller]

If you are a bad 3 point shooter, you dont have a good jumpshot. That's ridiculous

[@razzledazzle2881]

@@1vaultdweller u kidding? MIke Jordan -one of the greatest mid range shootings all time. Was not elite 3 point ever and was only very good towards the end?

[@xxxDopeKingxxx]

@@razzledazzle2881 yeah but 3 point shot was taken at the rate it is now and actually when Jordan did started taking more 3s in a season he averaged 38 % from the 3pt range

[@lukacalov1988]

He is wrong about a lot of things i dont see any difference between him and osn

[@leftbenchplayaa]

@@xxxDopeKingxxx yes but that was the year when they moved the 3 point line closer. Not saying MJ wouldn’t have been a decent to good 3 point shooter if he tried...but when they moved it back the next year he went back to being below average.

[@Shemzinho]

Of course Magic is top 5. The 🐐 PG, 9 finals in 12 seasons with 5 chips. A1 since day 1.

[@rg3_inc183]

End of Discussion

[@pittland44]

The Lakers couldn't spell championship before Magic showed up. He got to town and the Lakers became instant title contenders. 'Nuff Said.

[@showtimenick824]

The reason why the NBA hasn't seen that kind of handle in a long time is because until around the mid 80s, you were only allowed to dribble with your hand on top of the ball. If you had your hand on the side, that was considered a carry. So if you go back and watch Bob Cousy highlights knowing the rules about dribbling, I guarantee you'll be in awe. He had the ball on a string. And Walt Frazier, while also not doing wide crossovers because of the rules back then, he was an amazing ball handler. Back then it was more about controlling the ball and Walt Frazier was amazing at that and was even pretty good at dribbling behind his back even with those dribbling rules.

[@spacerace1448]

Rusty you better start practicing boxing, because some people are gonna HATE you for this one

[@lik7953]

Why? Almost Everyone agrees that magic is top 5

[@spacerace1448]

@@lik7953 people are crazy out here

[@adriandiff]

@@lik7953 nba twitter thinks curry > magic 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@ianmason2003]

@@adriandiff yeah kids. And we all know how kids are.

[@mrbucky226]

@@adriandiff there’s no real argument for curry having a greater career, but there’s a case for him being a better player at his peak

[@chaddad4046]

Just watch Magic’s episode in the greatest peak series by thinking basketball if you want an objective analysis on him.

[@killerfoxes2909]

Everyone in the comments : If you want an objective take, watch the video I agree with lol. Objective lol. May want to look up the word y’all.

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

Honestly, the "longevity" argument generally comes out as a wash for the all-timers. Larry, Jordan, Wilt, and Russell all had careers around the same length as Magic. Bird played the fewest games with 897 and Jordan had the most with 1,072. The difference is basically a season or two. Only Kareem and Lebron have a longevity argument in their favor. For some reason, basketball has seen many of its elites retire with plenty left in the tank.

[@khaitranngoc4176]

Larry (back) Kobe (ACL) Magic (HIV) there were a few career-ending/career-damaging incidents, but overall few and far between

[@2genders-tk2ue]

Because the game was more physical back then...I honestly don't believe lebron would have been as successful for as long back then

[@bladefox5082]

@@2genders-tk2uethat’s probably true but lebron is just taking advantage of the medical equipment we have now

[@bladefox5082]

Tim duncan also has the longevity argument. Played from 97-2016, won his first chip in 99, won his last in 2014. Was great from start to finish.

[@jesuscarbonell3566]

​@@2genders-tk2ueOH for sure ,different rules and spacing.

[@APwarrior8]

Larry really gets slept on the most

[@wh5601]

I genuinely believe that if Larry didn’t get injured so much, he’d have a very good case to be top 3, possibly even the GOAT

[@APwarrior8]

MR TRUTH when did wilt ever give that fear😭boy got whooped by bill year after year

[@Greko-grb]

Bro you can’t say Kareem’s help is overblown when he won a finals mvp aged 38.....

[@hamunivadmin2750]

Lol exactly ..ppl act like magic ain't had all star help majority of his career

[@andrejamison2723]

@@hamunivadmin2750 I agree

[@andrejamison2723]

It just feels like he's just dogging Kareem.

[@Dr_J_623]

I have this thing, where I dont subscribe to channels until I am actively searching for their content regularly. Rusty this video is making me break that rule, because I love this video so much that you deserve the sub. I've always said Magic is criminally underrated. I just can never put it into good enough words to make a good case, but now, now I can tell them to watch my boy Rustys video.

[@Andandand25]

I LOVE RUSTYS VIDEOS ON HISTORICAL TOPICS

[@bluegregory6239]

Still the leader in career average APG. Definitely a Top 5 player, and the single greatest passer in NBA history. He dragged the aging Lakers into the 1991 Finals. Folks who don't appreciate how great Magic was don't really understand the game or the greatest fast break team in history.

[@discotequilasunset]

ikr i’m the best point guard of all time

[@itztrimax6795]

Yeah there’s nothing on the court you can’t do...

[@nicholasalexander9866]

@@itztrimax6795 Except shoot confidently

[@jamesonrapp281]

@@nicholasalexander9866 nah he just chooses not to, feels to bad for the NBA

[@vill8583]

You can definetly shoot. Love you Ben

[@chilldoc9638]

@@jamesonrapp281 cant assume stuff

[@arkoudiou]

Imagine your favourite player, logging just 12 seasons, retiring at his prime at 31 and doing what Magic did. I don't even count his last season. Everyone will lose their minds.

[@jesuscarbonell3566]

Really 11 seasons as he injured his knee in his second season in 1981 and although he played towards the end of the 81 season he was not 100%.

[@jomilien47]

He saved the league from the dark 70s era of cocaine abuse and literal fights.

[@swedishmeatball8374]

And put them in the 80s era of more cocain but with a lot of strippers and parties lol

[@griffongaming4474]

Yeah Magic's showtime Lakers had their own private club within their arena that had guess what? Cocaine, strippers and other shit, and yes, Magic did partake in at least some of the stuff within that club

[@itachi-kun7736]

NBA started to strict players with Drug test under David Stern

[@briancabana6380]

@@griffongaming4474 "at least some"? He's the guy who came out of it with a bug.

[@mudkipdeetz8609]

Not only him also a random dude that played in Boston

[@Majuuub]

He had a solid jumper with a good touch at the freethrow line.

[@sydguitar99]

At least 90% of the ppl putting Steph over Magic have never seen Magic play nor have they seen any of his highlights I bet

[@flyingpigmonkey1]

@MR TRUTH Curry and James aren't overrated. A lot of current players are but not them.

[@skdkdn9142]

@@flyingpigmonkey1 James no but curry yh

[@hamunivadmin2750]

@@skdkdn9142 lebum the most overated he stay getting exposed when he aint got a stacked roster and get outplayed. "the storm is coming " chokes 😂 "Im activating playoff mode early "chokes"

[@hamunivadmin2750]

@MR TRUTH russell played 8 teams all year ??😂😂😂 and magic had kareem his whole career who won finals mvp at 38 & magic was so trash at one point they start calling him tragic Bronson

[@skdkdn9142]

@@hamunivadmin2750 no bro it’s Kareem had magic for 5 out of his 6 championship that’s right Kareem couldn’t even do shit without magic before he was missing the playoffs in his prime while playing against some of the worst competition in nba history before the merger most of the best players in the 70s where in a different league yet he only one 1 championship in his prime and not like he didn’t have help he had the great Oscar Robertson and it’s pretty clear who had the bigger impact on the team Kareem was injured in game 6 of the finals in magic rookie year but magic filled in for him scoring 42 points and winning them the whole series lakers didn’t even miss him and before the year before he magic came in they where 47-35 the year he drafted 60-22

[@Lgg714]

Curry stans really got a lot of y’all thinking Magic is overrated 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@kobelyles5107]

smh

[@kyrito11]

Curry was probably the better player peak wise but all time I still have Magic well above Curry

[@adriandiff]

stg that’s all they say on twitter 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@Yee_Bam0]

He's overrated but the best point guard of all time

[@lennythegumpsummers8889]

@@kyrito11 peak wise WTF what curry peak is better

[@alptanriover9667]

This title is so insulting I am disgusted

[@alptanriover9667]

@MR TRUTH That’s just as bad

[@jhill31]

@MR TRUTH Ok

[@bbqblazekyleg7551]

With his amazing resume and for not playing that long he has accomplished so much with mvps and final mvps. He had help but he was the engine of the team and won a FMVP his rookie year and played center game 6 and had an all time performance.

[@charlesjohnson536]

OL'🐐👑MAGIC JOHNSON#32 UNDERRATED .. HE'S AS GOOD AS ANYBODY THAT EVER PLAYED IN DA NBA ..

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

Everyone mentions how stacked bill Russell teams were but no one mentions how stacked Magic’s teams were smh

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

Bill Russell’s team weren’t that stacked. Their offense was never great, and Bill carried tf out of their defense.

[@Playboyy1985]

Russell team was full of HOF lol

[@thomaslequesne5475]

@@carusohighlightreel4275 stop it. You can argue that it's overblown if you wish, but they were definitely stacked.

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@thomaslequesne5475 magic teams were better than bill teams hands down

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@Playboyy1985 HoF TEaMaTEs. He only played with 6 players his whole career that made a all star game with him. And just like worthy wasn’t there for prime Kareem Havlicek rookie season came in Cousy last season so he never had both in their primes either. Don’t get me started on how much better magic teams were than bills teams

[@bbqblazekyleg7551]

I will always think Magic and Nash were the best passers ever in their own tier of passing but Magic was more of willing scorer and put more pressure on the offense while Nash was about always looking for the pass

[@RecapRico]

If Magic played today he'd be Jokic inside 15 feet in and Giannis from behind the 3 point line imho. He'd be a great driver from the perimeter with an elite ability to playmake out of the post.

[@Terror832]

He plays kinda like a year 17-18 LeBron. Similar playstyle tho Magic was more pass first. Also LeBron even at an advanced age is still a physical anomaly.

[@RDXfightingleague69]

Magic was a good shooter in his late career, he shot .38 3p% on 4 attempts in 1990, so it's safe to say he's a better shooter than Giannis

[@yvans.]

@@Terror832 Magic don’t play like Lebron that’s Media narrative. Johnson never dominate the ball that much he was great of ball which isn’t the case for Lebron.

[@kobelyles5107]

but he dont need to be he was better

[@RecapRico]

@@RDXfightingleague69 Giannis can get to that level in his career as well.

[@terenceskill9526]

No matter what he once may have been, by the time of his comeback he had become a moving obstacle to his teammates and for the general course of the franchise. I really felt no pain when he retired again and the Lakers kept on with Kobe & Shaq.

[@bricetriplett759]

Tim Duncan is becoming very underrated as well. Pls make a video on that

[@Luca-yb4sh]

@MR TRUTH Duncan actually has 3 rings on Wilt and that's pure fact.

[@subairali8075]

I feel like he’s properly rated. 5-9

[@itachi-kun7736]

Imagine if Duncan actually left Spurs to Magic if Rivers didn't reject his request?

[@Grim_reapercy]

@@Luca-yb4sh rings don’t make you better than someone 💀

[@raw5889]

Better then kobe.

[@PhillipCripwell1]

I can hear Rusty ? This must be the main channel

[@graysonbaker9053]

wasnt even thru the intro and bro hit us w a ad😭

[@elimullen9864]

When people compare the goat to you, you have to be great

[@armandomedina475]

His teammates were definitely more special than "pieces that fit his playstyle" and also, he pretty much only used the right hand for everything. I dont know about that one in today's nba

[@tobito-uv8ze]

Absolutely idiotic claim that Kareem and Worthy were just pieces that fit Magics team. Brain-dead take from rusty.

[@benjamingutierrez2191]

@@tobito-uv8zeespecially when magic was hiding behind the defense that was being anchored behind those two as well as wilkes and cooper.

[@kenwright233391]

Great summary of the 80s Lakers. I've made this argument a million times. Kareem was old for most of the Lakers title runs. Worthy and Kareem switched off as Worthy matured and Kareem aged.

[@lotklear1379]

Most NBA players drooled over the idea of playing with Earvin. He made everyone around him just that much better

[@marcosmartinez8088]

I don't think Magic is overrated, but Kareem and Bird in the 80's are truly underrated. How Magic was a better player than Kareem by a margin when Kareem won the MVP in the 1980, and the finals MVP in 1985, as a 38 y/o player. After that season, it's clearly Magic's team, but before that, Kareem was pretty pretty solid.

[@CHP.Spinna]

Short Answer: No

[@eljefe6161]

I got him 4-5th all time, agreed with most of what you said, and just not to mention he gets a legacy boost because of how he turned the Lakers culture around before Magic Johnson got to Los Angeles the Lakers were some guys that moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, kept getting their asses kicked by Bill Russell Celtics finally got one in 72, etc., Magic changed all that to them being the premier brand in the NBA

[@patrickcarrillo714]

People always forget the term team The Celtics and the Lakers during that time had really good individual players But what made them great was they had great teams and great structures around both of them they were great teams That's why you didn't see some crazy numbers from either team But just very consistent numbers evenly divided which is better than having one top heavy player It's called the laws of physics When a workload is evenly distributed it makes the job much easier

[@spurguvitunhuora9119]

It required the Thinking Basketball analysis to make me understand what made this guy great. Many can be great on fast break. But Magic somehow turned every half court set into a fast break.

[@MSWes922]

Kareem won MVP and a finals MVP while playing with MAGIC sooooo stop.

[@papaduopolos948]

And I was just about to close KZbin then I saw rusty uploaded

[@DQ_Senpai]

Ayoooooooooo I smelt salt and this Video is the source Keep up the good work Rusty.

[@goldmo2427]

Kareem wasn’t just averaging 20 lol he did 22 and near 23 in playoffs and from 1980-86 he did 26 plus like 4 times ..and James worthy was doing 20 plus

[@Kalinbuggs]

I NEVER I mean NEVER read or heard that title in a sentence

[@elijahandrewpineda286]

Another overlooked part of Magic's game is that he's really efficient for a guard. I know he's 6'9" but 50+% for a non-shooter against tight defenses, 90+% free throw shooter, and an improved three-point shooter is very impressive. Edit: Never watched the video yet when I commented this

[@hamunivadmin2750]

At 6"9 playing pg u should be atleast 50% thats not really special shooting 90%ft is. Bt idk what u mean his 3pt shot improved bc it was mediocre more often then not

[@richardf.3722]

you got me thinking for a second that magic died when you mentioned "magics passing"😳😂

[@0DIE__]

I thought this a year ago but I thought I was crazy

[@joshualee9540]

It really depends on the person. If you think he's a lock for top-3, I genuinely believe that's a massive stretch. There are players with similar peaks to Magic, that dwarf him with longevity. However, if you already have Stephen Curry over Magic Johnson, you're certainly underrating the man.

[@Pm1710]

This should've been a deep dive topic!

[@blahblah8308]

Great video, good points. As someone who grew up watching Kareem, and watching Showtime mostly beat my Spurs, I do believe that Kareem benefited no more or less than Magic for having had each other as teammates. Either one of them alone on any decent team would have made their teammates greater and would have been in contention every year. A fine point, but touche'. Kareem is top 3, to me. Magic is top 10.

[@jctslice]

he's not overrated. he was a MONSTER bro, 1 of 1 in his time

[@4392amtrak]

Rusty has him top 3 in his top 50 rankings if you watch his video on that

[@nolenashburn3375]

It’s semantics for the most part because all of the people who claim that he is overrated were never able to actually watch him play. Highlights don’t do justice to how impactful of a player he was

[@synthezz]

I think Curry and Magic are similar in one way, the both were the engine of and all-time offenses, they just had different ways of dominating, they were on the tier of their own in their number 1 skills

[@cdawg1648]

I think the problem with a poll like this is that most people can have him anywhere from 3-11ish. MJ and LeBron and ahead, but then there's Magic, Bird, Kobe, Kareen, Hakeem, Wilt, Russell, Shaq, Duncan all in the conversation. Add on you have guys like Curry and KD that could finish in that group if they win another ring

[@GrudgeyCable]

No way. Dude is an all time great. He’s def in the top 5.

[@vegetalover9297]

He's not He's 7 i say

[@Yee_Bam0]

He's like 6/7

[@josuerojas4157]

Wow I saw this the thumb nail and I’m very curious to see Rusty take

[@eamonhogan2635]

Intro gets me a lil hype everytime

[@ecobean3440]

Bulls Nation old-heads will never forget the pain, heartache, and migraines endured whenever we recall how Magic Johnson was a coin-flip away from becoming a Chicago Bull.

[@gregorynewsome8094]

I've watched ball since 1976. Magic is one of the best 5 players I've ever seen.

[@mudkipdeetz8609]

Who are the others

[@QuinnNBA]

I feel like Simmons if he played in that era would be top 10 all time Edit: yes a raptors fan respecting the 76ers

[@SpiegelmanSzn]

With his skill set? Not a reach at all. But Ben Simmons is sadly bitch made. Would love to see him get away with sitting a whole season back then.

[@saidufofanah2210]

Magic played 12 years winning 5 chips, 3 finals mvp, 3 mvps. You cannot be overrated with these type of individual awards

[@johnnyjust6623]

Depends on where you rank Magic Johnson If hes top 4-6 all time hes ranked correctly If hes 1-3 range then hes overrated

[@4392amtrak]

If you watch the end of this video, you will hear Rusty's answer. The title doesn't say that he was overrated. It's asking if he was.

[@oldmanwaterfall]

Luka's gonna be a top 5 player if he stays healthy easily, probably GOAT contender. His competitiveness and dominance are Magic/LeBron esque with ridiculous shooting ability. Future GOAT! 🐐

[@samuelpagan8756]

I don’t think this guy was overrated. He went to the NBA finals eight times in 13 years. Now that’s awesome and won five out of eight.

[@itachi-kun7736]

*9 times in the finals not 8

[@samuelpagan8756]

@@itachi-kun7736 ok sorry for not being right.

[@SethKasso]

Magic's West is the weakest conference from a top-15 all-timer in his prime, outside of *maybe* 2012-17 LeBron. In LA's 88 championship season, they didn't face an above-.500 team until the Finals. Their competition was never around for long. DJ and Gus Johnson's Sonics collapsed by 82, Westphal's Suns were dead by 83, Gervin's Spurs were never elite and faded quickly, Denver didn't play enough defense to make a serious run, Aguirre's Mavs collapsed after two good seasons because he was an unbearable asshole, Ralph Sampson's injury and the guards getting banned for cocaine ended a potential Rockets push, and Stockton/Malone's Jazz only made one hard charge during the 80s before the team got settled. Meanwhile, Bird played in an East that consistently had multiple 60-win teams (the Celtics, 76ers, and Bucks all won at least 60 games in 1982), and played against teams that stayed together for basically the entire decade or at least a good chunk of it. Milwaukee, Philly, and Detroit were all better teams than what LA faced in the West (sans maybe Houston in 81, Houston in 86, and Dallas in 87) and Boston had to play those teams every year, sometimes all in the same run.

[@vintagemonte]

Wow.. didn’t expect this video to actually change my ranking

[@Kinlui1022]

8:24 "Magic is the most important player on the Lakers during the Showtime era" I'd go one step further and say, it is CALLED "THE SHOWTIME ERA" BECAUSE of Magic.

[@cemmanuel6282]

For a sec you scared me I thought you were about to say something dumb

[@ep1587]

OH THIS IS BOLD

[@gsmooth6037]

This was an excellent analysis of Magic.

[@starwarsnewsandmemes8289]

Rusty: Talks at length and in detail about people who place Magic at #4 Me: Is this a personal attack?

[@mathiasspitzer1079]

it took me like 4 basketball reference searches to find out a decent chunk of these stats are either exaggerated or straight up wrong. i usually agree w your opinions, but cmon my guy. magic definitely not better than kareem all time and probs not top 5.

[@lordbeerus4817]

But who is the better player? Magic or curry? I'd take curry over magic in my team anyday

[@dashielcockrill998]

When you said we have to talk about his passing I thought he died and I some how didn't hear.

[@heylolp9]

I *personally* think that a pass first point guard can by definition not be that great themselves because that wasn't their job. Magic focused on playmaking thus his own greatness couldn't shine as much, so he is a product of his era. My opinion thus is that there is no definite Top 5 because it depends on what you prefer your players and in a debate like Magic v. Curry what you prefer your point guard to do. One thing that we should notice though is that Magic was the first real point forward superstar I accept that others have other opinions and i am happy to hear them. Just remember there is no true opinion on top5 or the Goat or something like that because that is subjective and thus people suffer from bias towards the era they were watching

[@kevinsmoot8562]

Kareem....in his first ten years in league could have been mvp every season......

[@kgangireddy04]

The fact that people are arguing he's not the #1 PG of all time prove that he's underrated if anything

[@elizahamilton2895]

Steph has a case but magic's first obviously

[@kobelyles5107]

Magic is the bets point guard ever and best wing player there is

[@kingdinodragonite3470]

What’s good KG. Why did you change your first name

[@clarissawestbrook2203]

Magic Johnson is in my top three all time. We have to remember how along with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird saved the NBA in the 1980s after declining viewership and interest in the 1970s. This was a good breakdown.

[@Tinytorres0606]

This is gonna be fun

[@cassiusfelix2805]

Well how about Tim Duncan he contended his whole career as well plus had the defense so shouldn't he be over Magic? If not why not Kareem?

[@TastingPlastic]

valid

[@TastingPlastic]

valid

[@johnnyjust6623]

I agree i asked same question all the time Duncan has a case over Magic Rings Magic 5 Duncan 5 Finals Mvps Duncan 3 Magic 3 League Mvps Magic 3 Duncan 2 All Defensive teams Duncan 15 Magic 0 Duncan played both sides of ball better then Magic I get Magic a better passer hes a point guard Magic 19 ppg on 52.0% fg Duncan 19 ppg on 50.6%

[@tomk6292]

I personally think Steph is the Goat PG, assuming lebron is a forward, i think if you put Steph on that LA team in the 80s, they DOMINATE

[@kobelyles5107]

lol hell no Magic Johnson is the greatest point guard and wing player he a top 3 player behind Jordan and Duncan

[@lik7953]

As of now, no. Johnson has more mvps and championships. But that could change, we have to see what the next 7 Ish years of curry’s career brings

[@greekyoungbuck]

You definitely should not rank players on if they could take a nother team to the finals. Go off what they did that's pretty much like saying what if in a greatest conversation whitch isn't logical.

[@tomk6292]

@@greekyoungbuck ok I’ll say it in a different way, Steph in my opinion is a better player who has more of an impact on winning.

[@apierre6]

I don't agree. The game was much more physical in the 80s and an injury-prone, small guard like Steph wouldn't have thrived. If you were to put Steph Curry in a time machine and drop him in the eighties, he would have never recovered from his ankle injuries early in his career due to lack of medical advancement.

[@pcf3037]

Rusty, what do you value more accolades or stats and records.

[@QDibieYT]

I thought the common consensus for Top 4 was LeBron or MJ, MJ or LeBron, Kareem, Magic. Anything else isn’t valid.

[@Akash043]

Magic is underrated

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

Raptors clutch hoops nah Walmart Lebron had the most stacked teams ever

[@lilgucci6847]

@@casualfandestroyer2503 the warriors dont exist?

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@lilgucci6847 magic = Walmart lebron

[@lilgucci6847]

@@casualfandestroyer2503 magic a winner lebum isnt🤷🏽‍♂️

[@casualfandestroyer2503]

@@lilgucci6847 magic lost 4 finals even tho he played in the weak 80s west and had the most stacked team every single year. You don’t know basketball

[@23TDJ]

Bill Russell gets disrespected too much; a lot of the players from the 60's get disregarded as well. I got Magic 4th behind Jordan, Bill Russell, and Lebron in that order.

[@J-Hue]

Bill Russell was great, but his team was stacked like none other. If you look at what his team was doing, they were like the GS Warriors with KD. Bill Russell was the best player and the leader, but their starting lineup was nasty.

[@Papichulo-xc5nd]

@@J-Hue magic team was even more stacked what are you talking about dude??

[@Fernando-bp6xd]

wow another hype intro just to hear rustys monotone voice

[@judeilori902]

You should make a deep dive about curry and magic

[@longchamped]

I voted 3 on your poll. I grew up watching Showtime. To me, he was the best basketball player I ever saw.

[@callate_marriconrd3741]

I’m my personal all time list I have bird higher than magic

[@AlmostLakai94]

Same

[@jcjcviews]

Checking this one out....sounding good so far. I'm an L.A. guy from the time.

[@patrickcarrillo714]

You also forgot Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the most unguardable shot in NBA history the skyhook which played a big role in Showtime

[@RecapRico]

The way Kareem won MVP Rusty Is bc back then the NBA actually used their divisions. Only the top 2 teams from each division made the playoffs no matter the records. Kareem would have the 3rd best record in his division so they would miss the playoffs. That's like the Knicks missing the playoffs bc they're 3rd in the Atlantic division but 4th in the East.

[@ryanfrancis3839]

Ya. Ima come back here and watch the video later. But ya, that's the answer

[@dansheshe8039]

Lemme guess u think curry>

[@ryanfrancis3839]

@@dansheshe8039 MJ, LBJ, Kareem, Bird, Russel. Those r 5 right off the bat that are outright better than Magic to make it ez. But yes, imo Curry is better than Magic but I can see arguments against it

[@eliadler5228]

@@ryanfrancis3839 curry over magic😂😂😂

[@dansheshe8039]

@MR TRUTH ayo chill bro😭

[@dansheshe8039]

@@ryanfrancis3839 where u rank him all time them

[@pimb160]

I guess you could compare the Lakers to the 90's Bulls, those teams didn't have a lot of big names, but they were perfectly built

[@bortonshort3761]

Come to think of it, Magic might be my favorite nickname. Not only really cool, but also suited to his approach to the game