Despite 5 NBA Rings With Magic Johnson, 7’2 Lakers Legend Adds Outrageous Twist to Stephen Curry Debate: “Don’t Think You’re Going to Want to Hear This”

As if the persistent LeBron James–Michael Jordan GOAT debate wasn’t enough. This summer the hot topic became the GOAT PG debate. For Curry himself, who considers himself the greatest PG, the debate is just down to these two. This is when the debate raged. Representatives of their respective eras backed Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson accordingly. But then there are still representatives of eras that have happened decades ago.

One of those stellar representatives left out both Magic and Steph as the GOAT PG.

For this legend, Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry are not the GOAT  PG

In terms of the debate between Johnson and Curry, an interesting question surfaced. Does Steph even qualify as PG? For some defenders, he is the “best ever to play at the Point Guard position”. Because if PG is the first pass, then Magic Johnson is light years ahead of Steph. However, as a shooter, Curry needs no introduction. Therefore, the debate is already in fuzzy lines. 7’2” legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played with Magic Johnson and got five rings, building a storied legacy. However, the long-time former Lakers player didn’t opt for Johnson in the debate.

He recently appeared on Pix News. Emmy-nominated storyteller Justin Walters asked him, “Magic and Stephen Curry, who are you going with?”. To this, the outspoken Center replied, “I don’t think you’re going to want to hear this. Oscar Robertson. The Big O. I only had the chance to play with him at the end of his career, but he was awesome”

He added, “Oscar had three-point range, but he never got to play when the three-point shot was incorporated into the game. People don’t really understand how significant he was in how to play the game. I played with him for those four years. I know Steph Curry, LeBron, Magic, Kobe. All those guys are superior, but I have to go with Oscar”.

READ MORE: Stephen Curry vs Magic Johnson: Who’s the GOAT PG?

Abdul-Jabbar’s endorsement of Oscar Robertson is understandable. During the ’60s, the Guard put up five triple-double season averages and kick-started and ended his career with a blast. The two won a championship together with the Bucks when Abdul-Jabbar was just in his sophomore year. Therefore, one of the best ever, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has added a new flavor to the debate.

The complexity of the GOAT debates

During the segment with Gilbert Arenas, that initiated the debate, Curry stated, “Magic’s resume is ridiculous. Measuring eras against each other, that’s what basketball as a sport is all about. That’s why people watch. That’s why people get in debates about it. I love it. I’mma Put me on my own team. Rep myself”. 

While such comparisons indeed fuel much of the NBA discourse. The differences in era and the biases towards one own era can cloud judgment. These GOAT debates are packaged around personal preferences and can overlook the challenges during different eras. 

Watch This Story: Spoilt for Choice Between LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, WNBA Legend Sue Bird Might Have a Solution for Shaquille O’Neal