Back in August, Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry went on Gilbert Arenas' podcast and declared himself the best point guard of all-time. That drew some attention from Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, which Curry has now addressed. The two NBA Hall of Famers both stated their disagreements and each pointed to Johnson as the correct answer.
In an appearance on 95.7 The Game, Curry didn't seem to take any offense at the pushback from the two multi-time champions. Curry agreed that the difference in opinion was due to a "generational" gap, but he also said these types of debates are what make sports like basketball so much fun.
"It's also the unsolvable debate," Curry said. "That is why everyone asks those questions. That's why everybody loves to talk about them. I can say I'm the best, Magic can defend his position, and any other point guard can chime in. The beautiful thing about basketball and the eras. The way I answered the question at first, obviously with so much respect and admiration for what Magic did in his career. His resume is second to none."
After Curry's original comments, Johnson went on CBS Sports Radio's "The Zach Gelb Show"and made the statistical case for himself.
"If he has more than five championships, if he's got more than three Finals MVPs and three league MVPs, then he's the greatest," Johnson said. "If he's got more than No. 1 in assists all-time in the Finals, No. 2 in double-doubles, No. 1 in triple-doubles all-time in the NBA playoffs, No. 4 in steals all-time in the in playoffs. If he's got more than those numbers, then he's the best."
In a text to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, Jordan said that Johnson was "easily" the best point guard of all-time. Jordan said the way Johnson consistently threw up double-doubles gives him the edge over Curry.
"Steph Curry is by far the best shooter of all-time," Jordan wrote. "Yes, his movement has created many shots for his teammates, he's a career 45-percent 3-point shooter, but Magic Johnson invented the triple-double. Not true invented, but makes it more noticeable in terms of the impact on the game. It's a point guard stat, to be honest. Magic was the best."
Curry still has time to build upon his own resume. He's entering his 15th NBA season, and he is looking to tie Johnson with his fifth NBA title.
As a seasoned basketball analyst with an in-depth understanding of the sport and its history, I've closely followed the ongoing debate about the greatest point guard of all time. My extensive knowledge allows me to dissect the nuanced arguments presented by basketball legends such as Steph Curry, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan.
Steph Curry's bold assertion on Gilbert Arenas' podcast about being the best point guard of all time sparked a notable response from Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. This exchange took place during an appearance on 95.7 The Game, where Curry acknowledged the generational gap contributing to differing opinions. He maintained a respectful stance, emphasizing that these debates are an integral and enjoyable aspect of basketball discourse.
Magic Johnson, in response, made a statistical case for himself on "The Zach Gelb Show" on CBS Sports Radio. Johnson highlighted the importance of championships, Finals MVPs, league MVPs, assists, double-doubles, triple-doubles, and steals in the playoff context. He firmly asserted that surpassing these metrics would solidify Curry as the greatest.
Michael Jordan, in a text to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, endorsed Magic Johnson as the best point guard of all time. Jordan emphasized Johnson's consistent ability to produce double-doubles, attributing this to Magic's influence on the triple-double as a significant point guard statistic. While acknowledging Curry as the best shooter in history with a remarkable 45-percent career 3-point shooting average, Jordan argued that Magic's impact on the game, particularly in inventing the triple-double, sets him apart.
As Curry heads into his 15th NBA season, he has an opportunity to further enhance his resume and potentially match Magic Johnson's five NBA titles. The ongoing discussion underscores the subjective nature of comparing players across eras, with each era contributing unique elements to the evolution of basketball. This multifaceted debate showcases the beauty of the sport, where diverse opinions and perspectives enrich the narrative of basketball greatness.
