Magic Johnson vs. Michael Jordan in the Post

[3ball]

people don't realize it, but magic ran a large proportion of the Lakers' offense from the post...

he would also run screen rolls from the post where he would be posting and Kareem would come set a screen for him and then roll... it was pretty unstoppable... but you don't see PG's today do that, as in run a screen roll from the post or routinely run the offense by backing down their man into the post and creating from there.

so it depends on what you need... if you need a guy to run your offense, go with Magic... if you need a go-to scorer, go with the best in Jordan - for the Bulls, they didn't need a traditional inside post presence because Jordan was their post presence.
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[TiagoSimoes]

inb4 3ball

[3ball]

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My choice would be Magic in this particular argument because he lived on the post and had cp3/nash/stocton-level vision but was 6'9"...



But Jordan was a wizard on the post too.... He's the only guy that routinely eluded defenders for dunks FROM THE POST where the defender must be beaten within a tighter space...

[SyRyanYang]

inb4 3ball

lol please tell me next lotto number

will rep

[andgar923]

I'd say Kobe was more technical and skilled in the post with his footwork than MJ, but Jordan was much stronger and quicker with his shot in the post.

[swagga]

would you care to show me where jordan does spin reverse pivots, off the backboard to self and other insane almost streetball moves ?

We both dislike kobe because of his chucking ways but let's keep it real, his footwork is godly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpuswrs-Svg

[ArbitraryWater]

I'd say Kobe was more technical and skilled in the post with his footwork than MJ, but Jordan was much stronger and quicker with his shot in the post.

Of course you would

[SHAQisGOAT]

I think it can be easily said that Jordan had the better fadeaway considering I don't think I ever saw Magic shoot a fadeaway jumper from the post. Not saying he never did, but don't recall it being part of his post moves repertoire.

Yea, the probably part didn't aply to the fadeway... Jordan definitely had a better one, and like you've said, Magic did it rarely.

[swagga]

frankly I can't see how this is a discussion because magic won titles going aginst big men and doing work in both the low post and the high post.

sure Jordan is an exceptional high post player, triple-threat+fadeaway and all and imo they are comparable high-post presences (both elite).

But when you speak about low post impact magic >>> jordan. Baby hook, swim move, drop step, spins, plus being a superior passer from the post, actual post defense (jordan is overrated here IMO), low-post high post action (worthy, kareem benefited greatly). Hell magic abused jordan in the post in 1991 finals.

No discussion imo.

[swagga]

Yea, the probably part didn't aply to the fadeway... Jordan definitely had a better one, and like you've said, Magic did it rarely.

for magic the baby hook and to the basket moves were better options imo, that's why he didn't develop a fadeaway because he already had better percentages, better rebound positions, better late passing opportunities. Better options.

[SHAQisGOAT]

for magic the baby hook and to the basket moves were better options imo, that's why he didn't develop a fadeaway because he already had better percentages, better rebound positions, better late passing opportunities. Better options.

Yes, I agree.

[Dragonyeuw]

would you care to show me where jordan does spin reverse pivots, off the backboard to self and other insane almost streetball moves ?

We both dislike kobe because of his chucking ways but let's keep it real, his footwork is godly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpuswrs-Svg

Set aside 4 hours and watch this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8sLAbHud8bQ

Then get back to us.....you should see everything you mentioned above.

[hitmanyr2k]

would you care to show me where jordan does spin reverse pivots, off the backboard to self and other insane almost streetball moves ?

We both dislike kobe because of his chucking ways but let's keep it real, his footwork is godly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpuswrs-Svg

You mean like these?

[fpliii]

How does Bird figure into the mix here?

[SHAQisGOAT]

How does Bird figure into the mix here?

Probably the best out of the 3, overall, he had some of what Jordan "brought" and some of what Magic "brought", in the post.

He didn't have the "fortune" of playing against smaller defenders (than himself) as much as Magic though, but he still face them plenty when coaches wanted to put really quick players on him, to try and contain his terrific outside game (even going through screens and such)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBnwSeMiVaU