The Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate is always the rage in the NBA. Usually, it is between LeBron James and Michael Jordan. This debate has been the leading one for many years now. But fans just don’t stop at these two. Since the NBA is a positional game and the Point Guard position receives a lot of attention, it also attracts debates. What about the GOAT of the Point Guards?
The debate has featured Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson. Curry isn’t holding back on his thoughts.
Is Stephen Curry the GOAT of the PGs?
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The Point Guard position saw a huge revolution when Oscar Robertson hit the stage. He played like a superstar since his rookie year and averaged a triple-double for his first five seasons. Robertson was a one-in-all package, and he was also a serious contender for the award.
However, for Steph, who is known for his humble attitude, it is between him and Magic Johnson. Talking to Gilbert Arenas on his show Gil’s Arena, he is asked, “Are you the best Point Guard ever?”
“Are you the best point guard ever?”- Gilbert
“Yes. It’s me and Magic? That’s the conversation.”- Steph Curry
(via: @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/WTV2wN4XPl
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) August 21, 2023
A rather boastful Curry replies, “Yes, it’s me and Magic. That’s the conversation?”. This induces laughter among both scoring phenoms.
Arenas acknowledges Magic’s greatness and states that the numbers speak for themselves. He also acknowledges that “he wasn’t around” when Magic was playing, but he has seen the current crop. Invoking the notion, he has witnessed “Every kid trying to be Curry”.
Replying to this, the sharpshooters also admits, “Magic’s resume is ridiculous”. He also adds, “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”.
Both Arenas and the Golden State Warriors believe Curry is the best PG ever.
But this conversation can spark further debates.
Is Curry the best-ever scorer at PG?
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A PG’s key role traditionally has been that of a Floor Manager. Someone who sets up teammates. However, that is one of the interpretations. Curry is a great passer, he gets a lot of hockey assists, but even in the current league, there are better passers than him by a long stretch. The PG debate is complicated here because Steph can act as both a Point and Shooting Guard just like Jerry West.
Therefore, merely reducing the “Best Point Guard” ever debate to Curry and Johnson can have its own pitfalls. It can ignore pioneers like Oscar Robertson. Curry is definitely one of the best shooters to play the game. But before the 80s, there was no three-point line and there were limitations placed upon how one could dribble.
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Therefore, although these GOAT debates can be fun, are they really nuanced? Can any single athlete be called the Greatest of All Time, ignoring factors like rule changes, team composition, and much more?
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