Magic Johnson's only advantage over Larry Bird is longevity

[PieceOfFelt]

and it's a very little advantage. Johnson has two more titles but that means little considering it's a team game, he played in a weaker western conference at the time and he had even more talent around him than Bird. Larry Bird was quite simply a better basketball player and through the first 7 years of their careers it was nearly unanimous. Bird should be remembered as the greater individual player, quite easily.

[navy]

Bird's teams were stacked.

[iamgine]

Did Magic really had more talent though.

Mchale, Parish and DJ were all great players. Kareem of course were better than all of them but was Kareem and Worthy enough to offset that trio?

[Milbuck]

Bird's teams were stacked.

So stacked that they had a 32 game turnaround from the season before Bird to Bird's rookie season. Without McHale and Parish. Or DJ. Or Ainge.

[Rose'sACL]

i think bird was the better player but it is pretty close.

So stacked that they had a 32 game turnaround from the season before Bird to Bird's rookie season. Without McHale and Parish. Or DJ. Or Ainge.

This. people forget this.

[navy]

So stacked that they had a 32 game turnaround from the season before Bird to Bird's rookie season. Without McHale and Parish. Or DJ. Or Ainge.

Probably tanking.

[BlackVVaves]

Bird played on arguably the greatest roster of all time in 86, but Magic unequivocally had more talent around him?

Tell us more.

[NumberSix]

Imagine what today's NBA would look like if stacked teams could somehow manage to get the top draft picks.

[BlackVVaves]

So stacked that they had a 32 game turnaround from the season before Bird to Bird's rookie season. Without McHale and Parish. Or DJ. Or Ainge.

Because that negates the other several versions of the Celtics roster Bird played on

It's arguable who was the better individual talent. But ultimately, Magic achieved more, and was as equally pivotal to his team's 8 finals appearances as Bird was to his team's continued success.

He has 3 MVPs, 3 FMVPs. 5 championships.

[fpliii]

Probably tanking.

They'd drafted Bird the season before, though. No benefit to tanking.

[navy]

They'd drafted Bird the season before, though. No benefit to tanking.

Another good player?

[Milbuck]

Because that negates the other several versions of the Celtics roster Bird played on

It's arguable who was the better individual talent. But ultimately, Magic achieved more, and was as equally pivotal to his team's 8 finals appearances as Bird was to his team's continued success.

He has 3 MVPs, 3 FMVPs. 5 championships.

I never said it did. I'm just pointing out Bird's obvious, enormous impact on the game and that Celtics team.

[Big#50]

Magic isn't even top ten. Lamar Odom would dominate the early 80's. Serious. We need to base rankings due to eras. The NBA before 98 was ****ing laughable.

[fpliii]

Another good player?

Nah, I believe in February they traded for McAdoo, so they didn't have a first round pick that year (79).

[BlackVVaves]

I never said it did. I'm just pointing out Bird's obvious, enormous impact on the game and that Celtics team.

Well yes, without a doubt. Only a half-wit would argue that.

He did win ROY for a reason you know. His impact was profound.