Why does Magics defense get a pass on alltime lists?

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Hes by far the worst defender in the top 10 alltime. Ppl criticize Russell for his sht scoring but what about Magics defense? He was average AT BEST, he wasnt no Nash or anything but he struggled alot against PGs did better against SFs but wasnt great.

Really u have to go down the line to Barkley before u see another player that was as bad or worse on D that him. Even Bird who many now strangely rank over 5 spots lower than Magic was a really good defender early on in his career before he turned into a cripple but even then he was a solid PF defender

so whats the deal? Why does Magic get a pass? how can u objectively say hes a better overall player than players like Kobe, Hakeem, KG etc

[dubeta]

True, Lebron > Magic

1 less FMVP

1 more MVP


and better stats

[warriorfan]

http://stats-for-the-nba.appspot.com/ratings/1991.html

AIDS ridden post prime Magic still had enormous impact

[FKAri]

Because there was no scrutiny back then. Nowadays Kobe and Lebron get chit on for every misstep. Oh then there's Duncan who seems to get by unscathed cuz of his low key personality I think.

[bizil]

Magic DOESN'T get a pass for his defense. The MAIN REASON why MJ passed Magic and Bird by as the best player in the league in the Golden Age was defense.

GOAT status factors solo accolades, team accolades, numbers, longevity being great, and impact on the league. When u factor ALL OF THOSE THINGS, Magic is clearly a top 5 GOAT icon.

Magic's defensive shortcomings aren't enough to knock him from that perch. He was a great passer, a great rebounding guard, and an alpha dog scorer from the PG position. And of course he could play PG-PF and at times center. Peak wise, Kobe has a great argument over Magic. I am one of those who would take Kobe over Magic peak wise.

But GOAT wise, I think Magic has the edge on Kobe. Those three MVP's and redefining basketball give him the edge on Kobe GOAT wise. Until Lebron came around, Magic was likely the most unique basketball player of all time. THAT HOLDS a lot of weight.

[Wade's Rings]

True, Lebron > Magic

1 less FMVP

1 more MVP


and better stats

Are you talking about Bron who let Kawhi light him up for 69% shooting in the 2014 Finals?

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

http://stats-for-the-nba.appspot.com/ratings/1991.html

AIDS ridden post prime Magic still had enormous impact

Terry Porter>Peak MJ
Hakeem a negative on offense
Michael Adams>KJ, Price, Mailman, Ewing, Nique, Hill

[Hey Yo]

Magic DOESN'T get a pass for his defense. The MAIN REASON why MJ passed Magic and Bird by as the best player in the league in the Golden Age was defense.

GOAT status factors solo accolades, team accolades, numbers, longevity being great, and impact on the league. When u factor ALL OF THOSE THINGS, Magic is clearly a top 5 GOAT icon.

Magic's defensive shortcomings aren't enough to knock him from that perch. He was a great passer, a great rebounding guard, and an alpha dog scorer from the PG position. And of course he could play PG-PF and at times center. Peak wise, Kobe has a great argument over Magic. I am one of those who would take Kobe over Magic peak wise.

But GOAT wise, I think Magic has the edge on Kobe. Those three MVP's and redefining basketball give him the edge on Kobe GOAT wise. Until Lebron came around, Magic was likely the most unique basketball player of all time. THAT HOLDS a lot of weight.

He pounded the rock while backing down his opponent in the low post. Would have had to adjust his game if there was the "back-to-the-basket" 5 second rule back then.

[warriorfan]

Terry Porter>Peak MJ
Hakeem a negative on offense
Michael Adams>KJ, Price, Mailman, Ewing, Nique, Hill

Do you know early 90's basketball outside of MJ?

Hakeem was battling injuries all year in 91. He missed half the season and the games he did play he wasn't healthy.

Terry Porter was a stud that year and the 91 Blazers were an elite team that went to into the playoffs only to lose to the Lakers in WCF. They played a fast paced game where himself and Clyde Drexler were deadly in transition and it lead them to a 2nd ranked offense in the league. I'm not saying that Terry Porter was better than MJ but you can't act like his impact wasn't close that year.

In 1991 Michael Adams put up 26 points / 10 assists / 4 boards / 2 steals a game

[bizil]

He pounded the rock while backing down his opponent in the low post. Would have had to adjust his game if there was the "back-to-the-basket" 5 second rule back then.

Magic back in the day was an alpha dog scorer from the PG position. He was a pass first PG BUT could take over a game scoring on an alpha dog level. He proved that as a rookie winning a ring. BUT he played with guys like Kareem, Worthy, Wilkes, Nixon, McAdoo, and B Scott. So he didn't have to be a volume kind of scorer. Plus his mentality was pass first.

Secondly, Magic had many tools to score with. He DIDN'T just score by backing down his opponent in the low post. MANY TEAMS put bigger wing defenders on Magic. Magic could face them up and slash to the rack. He would give them quick moves in the post when he posted them up. And if teams put a PF on him, then that guy was really in trouble!

And if Magic was in today's game, he would have adapted EASILY! The five second backdown rule u talked about was done MORE because of Barkley than Magic. Barkley was more attached to that rule change. Barkley or Magic would be BEASTS in any era regardless of that rule.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Terry Porter was a stud that year and the 91 Blazers were an elite team that went to into the playoffs only to lose to the Lakers in WCF. They played a fast paced game where himself and Clyde Drexler were deadly in transition and it lead them to a 2nd ranked offense in the league. I'm not saying that Terry Porter was better than MJ but you can't act like his impact wasn't close that year.

this nikka just said Terry Porters impact in 91 was close to PEAK JORDAN

[juju151111]

Do you know early 90's basketball outside of MJ?

Hakeem was battling injuries all year in 91. He missed half the season and the games he did play he wasn't healthy.

Terry Porter was a stud that year and the 91 Blazers were an elite team that went to into the playoffs only to lose to the Lakers in WCF. They played a fast paced game where himself and Clyde Drexler were deadly in transition and it lead them to a 2nd ranked offense in the league. I'm not saying that Terry Porter was better than MJ but you can't act like his impact wasn't close that year.

In 1991 Michael Adams put up 26 points / 10 assists / 4 boards / 2 steals a game

Bro sit down. RAPM are not accurate before 97. Terry Porter having more impact then peak Mj is a joke

[gts]

He pounded the rock while backing down his opponent in the low post. Would have had to adjust his game if there was the "back-to-the-basket" 5 second rule back then.

[warriorfan]

Bro sit down. RAPM are not accurate before 97. Terry Porter having more impact then peak Mj is a joke

It's not 100 percent accurate but it's not 100 percent wrong at the same time. No one ever said Terry Porter had more impact than Jordan in '91. Still, Terry Porter had an absolutely insane year in '91, you guys are not grasping how good he was that season.

[Genaro]

Because Offense > Defense.
And BTW he doesn't get a really pass. Most people don't have him in the top 3 (witch he could be if only factoring accolades and offensive game)