Both were leaders of great teams and won many titles but it seems man people unanimously believe Magic was better. What is the reasoning for this?
IMO both are legends and most people who differentiate the two will compair titles because both were so amazing on the floor. Magic has 5, Bird has 3.Magic played Center once in the NBA finals because Magic, Like Bird, was all about winning and he the size to play that posistion. It's not like he played it any other time.He was the PG and that's basically what he played. Both were blessed with multiple skills and could and would do anything to win a game.I consider them equals.The titles comes down to a very tough 76ers team the Celts had to go through or lose to and some bad luck with injuries.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (redneck @ Jul 17 2007, 03:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Magic was able to play multiple positions, Bird really wasn't. Magic even played center one time.</div>Does versatility really change the arguement that much though? Bird could play PG,SG,SF,PF. The only exception being center. I dont think magic is that much above bird even in a versatile comparison.
It's an interesting arguement, and I really look at them as equals as well. Bird was a better score, Magic the better playmaker. Both were about equal rebounders. Bird was a better defender and a bit more clutch, but Magic also led his team to more rings, and has made some of the most memorable Finals shots/performances we have seen. Magic also was a bit more versatile than Bird, and was more athletically gifted.If I HAD to choose one, I'd take Magic by a hair due to versatility and ability to run an offense to perfection.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Jul 17 2007, 01:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Both were leaders of great teams and won many titles but it seems man people unanimously believe Magic was better. What is the reasoning for this?</div>I agree that Magic and Bird are more even than most people give them credit for. However, I would say that Magic Johnson is better as he was an innovator for PG's to come while Bird did not really revolutionize his position of a 'scoring forward'.Reasons why people believe that Magic was better than Bird:- He led showtime to 5 championships while Bird led the Celtics to 3. - Magic beat Bird in 3 championship gamesMagic won the national championship over Bird when he was on Michigan State and 2 with the Lakers. Bird would only defeat Magic once, in the NBA finals.- Magic was an american icon that would play a huge role in main-streaming the NBA.Along with Jerry Buss, Magic Johnson would play a huge role in attracting alot of attention towards the NBA. Magic was the main act before Jordan started dominating the NBA. Jerry Buss knew how to use Magic and Showtime to set up the ground work for the NBA we have today.
I disagree with it being the Magic show before MJ.Bird won 3 MVP's in a row and it was always toted as Larry and Magic's NBA.Dr J was as recognized too.
I'd say Magic and Bird are equal, I really can't put one ahead of the other. I think, unfortuantley, that Bird is mostly looked over because of his race color
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Jul 17 2007, 10:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'd say Magic and Bird are equal, I really can't put one ahead of the other. I think, unfortuantley, that Bird is mostly looked over because of his race color</div>I disagree with Bird being overlooked because of race, it probably got him an extra MVP or two.As for me, I consider them more or less equal, with the slight edge going to Magic because he was an amazing winner and changed the game so much. Larry Bird played the game as well as it could be played, but Magic improved upon the game and added new things to it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tHe_pEsTiLeNcE @ Jul 21 2007, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I disagree with Bird being overlooked because of race, it probably got him an extra MVP or two.As for me, I consider them more or less equal, with the slight edge going to Magic because he was an amazing winner and changed the game so much. Larry Bird played the game as well as it could be played, but Magic improved upon the game and added new things to it.</div>Nowadays he's overlooked. In today's NBA most fans who never saw him will look at a guy like him who can't jump and run and not be able to understand how he could've been better than one of the leaders of one of the funnest basketball teams.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PFF @ Jul 20 2007, 10:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nowadays he's overlooked. In today's NBA most fans who never saw him will look at a guy like him who can't jump and run and not be able to understand how he could've been better than one of the leaders of one of the funnest basketball teams.</div> :closedeyes:
I agree with PFF; I'm gonna say that a lot of past white athletes are more often forgotten than past black athletes...more people remember Magic and hold him in a higher regard than Bird, even though I think it's very close. Bird is sort of an exception, but he is still overlooked; not as much as say a Bob Petit or Pete Maravich, both of whom were among the greatest at their positions.
I believe that Larry is overlooked compared to most players... Yes people do say he was one of the greatest players ever... but to somebody who did not know much about basketball... the names Magic... MJ... Wilt... Kareem etc come up but you really have to be interested in basketball to come across Larry Bird... IMO Larry is better than Magic... I mean he was a better shooter/scorer and better defense player than Magic and I would put their passing as equal aswell as their rebounding... Also Bird was a better clutch player which when it came down to those last seconds was a vital quality that was needed... Although I do believe Magic was more of a team leader and a more versatile player... He also had 5 championships under his belt but I still believe Larry excelled more than Magic...
