Who was the better player in their prime (not necessarily for their entire career), Larry Bird or Magic Johnson? I believe that prime Larry Bird, at his peak in the mid-1980s, had an advantage over prime, peak Magic Johnson in the late 1980s. Larry Bird could shoot, rebound, and play zone defense better than Magic ever could in the mid-1980s, and Bird’s passing abilities could occasionally rival Magic’s, as Bird was equally innovative and creative, with an uncanny knack for finding the open man down low, often in the same way that Michael Jordan could.
Bird’s court IQ was also slightly superior, as no other player in history had the ability to read his opponents as well as Bird. As a whole and as an all-around superstar, I’d give Bird a tiny advantage over his most fiery and intense rival. But let’s make no mistake about that. Magic was one of the three best guards in NBA history.
I refuse to prioritize one above the other. If I need an outside shot, a free throw, or someone to distract the opposing team simply by talking, I’ll pick Bird. If I want someone to coordinate the offense, get everyone involved, and unleash a quick break, I call on Magic. Yes, Magic was not as good a defensive player as Bird, but Bird would have had just as much trouble if he had been paired with a speedier player.
Magic, on the other hand, benefited from being able to pinpoint passes. Additionally, having McHale, Parish, and D. Johnson was extremely beneficial. Yes, Kareem could play tight d for extended periods of time, but not as effectively as he once did. Cooper was excellent, but he often came off the bench. To put it another way, I like my odds of having a winning team, regardless of which one you give me, if I have other outstanding players, as the Celtics and Lakers had.
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