Magic Johnson provided awful defense and no jumpshot.

[Marchesk]

Maybe greatest playoff winning percentage of all-time might have something to do with it?

[Pointguard]

Yet most consider him top 5 and some say he's top 2 all-time.

Why is that when he was only effective on offense? If an all time player / PG isn't good on defense, they should at least have an effective jumper from most areas of the court on offense.

Too me, Magic is definitely overrated

Magic requires more thinking out of the box.

In game six, the last game of the '85 finals, Magic's defenders, Dennis Johnson, one of the most clutch players in the '80's shot 3 for 16 and Ainge shot 3 for 15. They shot 19% together because Magic ran them to death. Bird shot 40%. Magic eliminated the backcourt and wing play due to his absolute control of pace. Off course one of Boston's tactics was to cut off the Air Conditioning. In '87 in game six of the finals, Ainge shot 1 for 9 for 111% and Bird shot 6 for 16 - from the same dynamic. In '88 the super clutch Isiah shot 33% in game 7. Guards commit more turnovers at the end of the game as well. Some of it is nerves but not so much with Isiah, Bird and Dennis Johnson. Some of it was good defense too.

A steal by Magic is probably the best defensive plays in the history of basketball. Most blocks are not turnovers. A steal by Magic is not only an easy basket the other way, but plays into his ability to get other players involved along with his ability to push the pace. Offensive players usually play it safe and cut down perimeter passing which played into their good defensive stands - the Lakers created a lot of 24 second violations for opponents.

If Lebron and Wade start stealing the ball against SA the series is over. So I wouldn't say Magic stealing the ball isn't an indication of good defense. You just don't know the ramifications of how teams, and their coaches respond.

[Relinquish]

Maybe greatest playoff winning percentage of all-time might have something to do with it?

The West back then was even worse than the East has been in the last 15 years.

[Rose'sACL]

magic was below average on defense. sometimes he was terrible though like against the pistons and celtics.
Lakers played on such a fast pace that it sometimes covered up his bad defense as he was gambling for steals so much like chalmers was doing today.

[DetroitPistonFan]

LeBron > Magic > Bird > Hakeem > Tmac > Vince > Mario Chalmers > Kobe

[wakencdukest]

Most def. watched him. There was a reason why he was assigned to the worst opposing offensive player. Cause he couldn't play defense.

Implying that leading the league in steals = great defense is asinine.

Magic is by far the most overrated in people's top 5. The sport is about both ends. Magic didn't care or bother to learn about defense.

BULLSHIT. Even if he didn't ever lead the league in steals, and even if he never developed a consistent jump shot, He would still be the greatest point guard in history by a wide margin. The bottom line is that he took his team to the finals 10 times and won 5 of them because he was a genius at running an offense. Take away his jump shot he would kill you in the post or run up 20 assists on you. Nobody could really stop him from controlling the game, you take one thing away from him and he would exploit you in other ways. As for defense, what 6'9 player do you know that can stay with quick little point guards? On the other hand, no point guards could do anything but slow down his dribble, he would just back them down in the post or throw a pass right over the top of them.