Former Lakers Champion Discusses the Importance of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird & Isiah Thomas in NBA

The NBA is one of the most lucrative leagues in the world The league might be stacked right now with multiple superstars and super-teams, but the 1980s remain the golden era for the NBA. From superstars like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas to teams like the Lakers, the Celtics, bad boy Pistons and the unstoppable Bulls, the 80s had it all.

NBA insider Scoop B Robinson and former NBA champion Metta World Peace, a.k.a Ron Artest, recently talked about the impact of superstars like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Isiah Thomas in an Instagram live.

While talking about the league, Scoop B said, “The league almost went bankrupt before Bird and Magic came along. They saved the league in 79. Michael and David Stern were the gold standard.” He added, “When I see Michael, I see a brand within the NBA and everybody wanted to be like him.”

Metta World Peace chimed in with Robinson. He said, “Everybody wanted to be like Michael, you go to the NBA, get a deal with Nike just like Mike.”

The former NBA champion also opened up about the impact of Isiah Thomas. “I mean, I heard things about Isiah. You look at what Isiah was doing. He was the owner of Toronto Raptors also and the General Manager of the Raptors. Isiah be moving different.”

The likes of Magic and Thomas were the pioneers for other players to build business empires. With more avenues open for players now, current NBA players have become more impactful than ever.

Who are the modern day Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas in the current NBA?

While Jordan and Thomas were the focal point of the 1980s, currently, NBA two stars, LeBron James and Steph Curry, dominate the league. Ever since his debut in the NBA, Bron has showed the league that he can be the face of the league.

Curry, on the other hand, has been one of the most influential players in the last decade, showing what lethal three point shooting can do and has transformed the league to an offense first league.

Apart from dominating the league on the court, Curry and LeBron are amazing businessmen as well. Recently Forbes reported that LBJ is about to cross $1 billion in career earnings this season. With endorsements deals with the likes of Pepsi and Nike, Bron is one of the wealthiest sports person in the world.

Steph Curry might not have such a prolific CV as LeBron, but he is not far behind. The 32-year-old is the highest earning player in the NBA and similar to LeBron has multiple endorsements and also owns multiple businesses.

Given the on-court and off-court impact LeBron and Steph have had they are already icons in their own right. Are LeBron James and Steph Curry the modern day Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas?