Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson are widely regarded as two of the greatest point guards to have ever played in the NBA. While most rankings place Johnson’s legacy and contributions to the game above Curry’s, former NBA player Jeff Teague offered a different perspective.
In a recent episode of the “Club 520 Podcast”, Teague explained why he would rank Curry ahead of Johnson. He said:
“I know Magic saved the league. I know he saved the league, him and Larry Bird saved the NBA, I get it. So there’s no disrespect…Magic made it cool to be a big point guard. But Steph saved everybody.”
While addressing Bleacher Report’s NBA Top 100 list, Teague suggested a switch between Magic and Curry, claiming that the latter was the greatest point guard ever.
“What he did at 6’3″, bro,” he continued. “The thing about Magic Johnson was, he was the better player anyway because he’s 6’9″. He could’ve played center.”
While the panel continued to debate what a 1v1 matchup between Johnson and Curry would look like, Teague added, “Have you ever seen Magic Johnson move? He had no chance in hell guarding Steph Curry?”
Teague presents an interesting take, though it may not fully capture either player’s greatness.
As Johnson was with the Los Angeles Lakers, Curry has been with the Golden State Warriors. Both players, with their respective teams, have redefined the sport in their way.
Johnson’s flamboyant and versatile playmaking at his size challenged the traditional perceptions of the point guard position. With his ability to find his teammates in transition, the Lakers legend ushered in the era of “showtime” basketball, reinvigorating the team, as well as the league.
Meanwhile, Curry has fundamentally reshaped how the modern game is played. With his transcendent three-point shooting ability, the Warriors guard transformed the outlook towards perimeter shooting. Today, the three-point shot is a must-have in virtually every player’s arsenal, regardless of position.
Comparing the two players in a 1v1 setup is quite redundant. Curry’s quickness and shooting ability would be a horrible match for Johnson. Similarly, the physical difference owed to Johnson’s size and strength would be a challenge for the Warriors’ guard to overcome.
Such comparisons fall short, as they ignore the best aspects of each player’s style of play, exemplifying that when it comes to comparing greatness, the 1v1 outlook is quite limited.
Bleacher Report ranked Magic Johnson at No. 4, while Stephen Curry barely made it into the top 10. While this has sparked some debate, especially with Kobe Bryant being ranked No. 11, the aspect of subjective taste is bound to see the rise of differential opinions.
Johnson ended his career with five NBA titles to his name, while Curry has secured four thus far. Given how successful both have been in their careers, including their impact on the game itself, it is safe to say that they certainly are among the greatest to have ever done it.
