When you hear people talk about the NBA GOAT debate two names often come up: Michael Jordan and LeBron James. If there is a third name, it is usually Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Related: Magic Johnson picks Michael Jordan as the GOAT
One player, a former teammate of Abdul-Jabbar, rarely gets mentioned in the GOAT debate—although he should. That is Magic Johnson. The former Los Angeles Lakers point guard won five NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, three MVPs, and four assist titles.
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Yes, Magic Johnson absolutely should be mentioned in any GOAT debate. According to Magic, his resume doesn’t quite compare to that of Michael Jordan.
“I’m always going to be honest with myself. The only thing I beat Michael in is them no-look passes and leadership,” Magic said. “Ain’t no question. Just like it ain’t no question what he’s going to do to me. Dunks and all that, but that’s what makes him a bad boy. The best that’s ever done it.
“Don’t get it twisted; I love LeBron,” Magic continued. “But when Michael Jordan took off with that tongue out? Man. Listen, a lot of you weren’t born then. 1991, against my Lakers, right hand, we thought we had him.
“Then he looked at us mid-air, switched it to the left. Tongue out. Glass. Bucket. Nobody alive has been able to do that. That boy is too bad. I’m telling you. LeBron is a bad boy, too, but he’s not Michael.”
The GOAT debate ultimately is subjective as there are many players who could argue their place as the best. Still, no one player has the best argument to be crowned the GOAT, then Michael Jordan.
