When it comes to the greatest of all time debate, Magic Johnson doesn’t hesitate. For him, the answer is simple, Michael Jordan.
“I would have to say Michael,” Johnson said, via Dodgers. “We haven’t seen anybody do the things that Michael could do. And he was physically so gifted at the same time, smart. And then I think that we have two other Lakers following him right after that, and that would be LeBron [James] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar].
“But Michael, I would say, and then you got to throw Bill Russell in there because 11 championships, you can’t deny that. When a man wins that many World Championship rings, he’s got to be in the GOAT conversation. No question about it. So, they go back and forth in today’s world about Michael and LeBron, and that’s okay.”
“But Michael, I still remember that shot he did against us in ’91 where he went up with the right hand, tongue was out, and we went for it. See, you’re too young. I want you to YouTube this, okay?
“So he watched us go down, switched the ball from his right to his left, tongue went left, and he spun it against the glass and good. Still the greatest shot I’ve ever seen.”
Johnson also acknowledged how the debate has shifted with every generation of players and fans. While today’s era often pits LeBron James against Jordan, Magic noted that his own perspective comes from playing directly against MJ in the 1991 Finals.
That series marked a turning point in NBA history, as Jordan captured his first championship at the expense of Johnson’s Lakers, cementing the start of the Bulls dynasty. For Magic, witnessing Jordan’s dominance firsthand left little doubt about who set the ultimate standard for greatness.
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