Hypothetical matchups and comparisons have always been part of the league but in the past 12 months, fans have taken things to the next level, always trying to compare two or more big figures from different eras to spark a debate and see what other people think.
The GOAT debate is the prime sample of that but it’s not the only comparison we’ve seen in recent times. We have seen people trying to figure out who would win between the 1992 Dream Team and the 2008 Redeem Team, between the 1996 Bulls and the 2017 Warriors, and many more showdowns.
Quinn Cook took to Twitter to present a very good challenge between four players that will go down as the best of the best in the league. He put Kevin Durant and LeBron James face to face with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
“Who wins in a game of 2on2 to 16?!?! Kevin Durant & LeBron James vs Magic Johnson & Larry Bird?!?! Who wins and why?! Y’all know who I’m rolling with!!” He asked fans on Twitter.
Who wins in a game of 2on2 to 16?!?! Kevin Durant & LeBron James vs Magic Johnson & Larry Bird?!?! Who wins and why?! Y’all know who I’m rolling with!!
— Quinn Cook (@QCook323) March 10, 2021
As expected, this created a big debate with fans making the case for KD and the King and others explaining what Magic and Bird would win the hypothetical matchup.
HA! Clearly you don’t watch much basketball. Larry is the greatest player of all time and definitely the purest shooter of all time! He plays real man basketball and his fundamentals are perfect! Pray for Bronny if anything!
— Coach Walt (@bigwalt1776) March 10, 2021
We talking 80’s “rock em sock em” rules??? If so I’m taking magic and bird!
— Javier Hernandez (@itsmejavier) March 10, 2021
2 on 2 much different than 5 on 5. Bird is not athletic enough to avoid the pick n roll done him or Magic. None of the 2 be able to keep KD from shooting over them. Bron diving would kill Bird and if Magic comes in to help, easy alley oop to KD.
— Ironman Icon (@IronmanIcon) March 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/miekmiekmike273/status/1369866131654254598
— A. (@antwanlee4) March 10, 2021
— A. (@antwanlee4) March 10, 2021
Bird and Magic of course. There aren't enough character spaces to detail why.. just know Magic and Bird would hurt KD and LeBron's feelings so bad they'd never be the same again. Bird would trash talk them into therapy and Magic would make buckets & passes only a magician could. pic.twitter.com/bxKsCb3vNS
— Grim 🥀 (@GrimDegen) March 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/SaifMKha/status/1369810076022800385https://twitter.com/jakereynolds44/status/1369756255435251724https://twitter.com/Mrepps23/status/1369857665946554370
LeBron and Durant. Magic’s style of play worked well when there are four other capable guys on the floor he could set up; it wouldn’t be as great in 2 on 2.
— 👑🐐 (@LukaToBron) March 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/Matt24Schroeder/status/1369767405031940104
That's cute.. you forgetting who started that sh*t.. They'd be playing AAU if it wasn't for these 3. pic.twitter.com/4G6vEgcrLy
— Grim 🥀 (@GrimDegen) March 10, 2021
You forget that magic Johnson is just as tall as lebron and is just as good a defender if not better lol
— Pretty Flacko Ozi (@the_nig_osias) March 10, 2021
LeBron at his best has the best all round game. He would easily be the best player on the court. Only worry is if Bird and Magic take a lead KD won’t drop to his knees to start begging to join their team. He’s the type of guy to take the ball and go home if he starts losing🤣💀
— Mendo🦈 (@Mzndoza) March 10, 2021
They ain’t checking Larry either, promise you that.
— Prae (@Prae298) March 10, 2021
Bron & Kd if they play against Bird & magic pic.twitter.com/TEVJ2xIhCL
— Boomer “Thunder” McReary (@blunt_boomer) March 11, 2021
"…they'll never know." Bird & magic were ridiculous.
— Coach Joel (@HoopShots12) March 11, 2021
If magic and bird get the ball first. And it’s winners ball. And Larry doesn’t miss a shot. Then Larry and magic. But cmon they ain’t guarding the other two if it’s back and forth 😂
— Tapeyy (@triggaNAP) March 11, 2021
And the thing is I have more faith in Lebron and KD trying to guard Magic and Bird. Magic and Bird have never seen anything like Lebron and KD and would just be lost tryna guard them
— J 🃏 (@GayleJameel) March 10, 2021
which eras rules ya playing with…because LeBron and kd would most definitely be taking some bows and forearms in the 80s but LeBron could hang not so sure about kd
— aaron (@Aaronmurray81) March 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/epilefbih/status/1369834423621926916
Kd and Bron maybe only because of athleticism but man that would be great to see lol
— Starvin Marvin (@Bigteedubb) March 10, 2021
We are talking about four of the best players in NBA history and they have a lot of similarities. KD is a great scorer, just like Bird, while Johnson and James are famous because they’re incredible passers and facilitators.
This would be a very entertaining and close matchup but it always comes down to the same conclusion. You can’t compare eras and that’s what makes this so hard to settle.
