pistol was a straight up pg. he was just a lot bigger for pg's back then so they played a smaller guy with him. The guy was an amazing passer/scorer though. And if you use that argument with Magic couldn't we consider AI a point guard? sg on offense (sort of) and pg on defense
This is a tough one because I never saw Oscar Robertson play. So, it comes down to Stockton v. Magic. In my mind it isn't that close. Magic.
I was dreading the PG poll. Magic. It's not even close for me. He was flat out incredible. IMO, top 3 player ever in the NBA (that i had the opportunity to see with my own two eyes). Yep. I know. It's vomit inducing, but true.
I went with Isiah. Was the reason I began watching the NBA when I was about 5 years old. Loved watching him play. I know he might not deserve the selection, but he's my easy choice.
Ok I am a youngling, so I never knew Magic was 6'9" playing point. WTF?!?! Clearly he would dominate if he had the quickness to play point.
True because he did a better job of guarding the other team's SG. (He the C, PF and SF) I hated Magic becuase of the crap he got away with. He would just back his opponent down until he was close to the basket and either score or hit the open player. He was unstoppable especially when they let him travel or back his man down for 5 seconds in the key. A much better defender against PG's than Stockten or Nash. I still hate him. But he was the best no question.
Here's a good Magic stat - In the championship game the first year he won it with the Lakers (his first year in the league I believe), Kareem was hurt. Magic started at center and ended playing ALL 5 positions at one point or the other in the game. They didn't call him Magic for nothing. (Side note: He may even be a better entrepreneur than a basketball player.) Amazing man.
I think Jason Kidd should be on this list, i wouldn't vote for him, but the dude is at least top ten material
I tend to agree with this. I was too young to see either Oscar or Magic but for some reason I regard Oscar as a more dominating force even though I know Magic was excellent too. I might even put Stockton above Magic too but maybe thats the anti-Laker sentiment getting to me too much.
Surprised Chris Paul isn't on this list. At the rate he's going, he might be at the top in 15 years. Really, LeBron and Paul are the only active players I see ever being in the argument for "best player ever" at their respective positions. Obviously not now, but a decade or two down the road.
If you re-phrase the question to "Who would you want more than any other player in the history of the NBA to be your starting PG then the answer has to be a YOUNG Magic Johnson. Look at his rings. The guy was a winner. I hated him
Yes, he is the only NBA player ever to average a triple double for an entire season. To think, most guys would be delirious to get a triple double in ONE game in their career.
I think Magic and Robertson are about identical in caliber. I'll go with Magic because A. I saw him play and B. Magic had a style and flair that I know, from film, that Robertson didn't have. Robertson was like a less-bulky LeBron James...conventionally amazing. Magic was unconventionally amazing. But essentially, Magic and Oscar were pretty much equally amazing and there's a significant drop-off after them. I think Chris Paul will end up third, after them, but for now I'd go with Gary Payton third and John Stockton fourth.
