Point Guard Debate - By Karina Silva
The NBA saw all types of athletes that created a legacy for themselves and left a mark for future players. Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry are two 2of the greatest point guards in the history of the NBA, both from different eras. Their different skills and abilities on the court and their impact on the game, league, leadership skills, and unique accolades.
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| Photo: Sportingnews.com |
Starting with Magic, he was a known figure during the “Showtime” era of the LA Lakers during the 80s. He had a rare height, standing 6 '9 for a point guard, and he had size, skill, and court vision and could play other positions to contribute to his team. He was known for his exceptional passing skills and a force on the court. He was a big contributor to the Lakers' offense, being able to create plays for his teammates and helping to elevate them. Magic had incredible court vision, and he could see plays unfold before setting them up, which allowed him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. His signature no-look pass caught the fans' eyes the most, and it confused opponents. His passing skills elevated his teammates and raised expectations for future point guards, the importance of playmaking, and creating assists for teammates. His leadership was a factor in the Lakers' success as he was the leader point guard and floor general. He had winning wired into him and his teammates, and his impact was one of the main reasons he succeeded with his 5 rings. Most even considered him the greatest point guard of all time. In just Magic's rookie season, he led the Lakers to an NBA championship, and his famous rivalry with the Boston Celtics was a defining moment for the NBA and a must-see in the 80s. Magic won 5 and finished with 5 NBA championships, three NBA MVPs, and 9 NBA finals appearances. His career averages were 19.5 points per game, 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game, and the “Showtime '' era captivated fans the most.
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| Photo: Marca.com |
Now, Stephen Curry has taken a different path to a successful career. His dad, Dell Curry, played in the NBA, and Stephen grew to love the game; he wasn't known for his height, being only 6’3, but he used his shooting skills and ball handling to show people there's more than physicality and create a legacy, he has a relentless work ethic, and it made him be the greatest shooter the NBA has ever seen. While growing to his role on the Golden State Warriors, which would later be a powerhouse in the NBA, Curry's impact was more than his scoring ability. His style of play was unique and forced teams to study him more defensively. Curry has led the Warriors to 4 NBA championships, earning 3 MVPS, and his scoring records are way behind the 3-point line. He leads the NBA in most 3-pointers passing, recently passing Ray Allen and being able to shoot at incredible distances. He has changed how the game is viewed by kids and inspired kids to shoot from long range. He has one of the quickest releases, and he can change the momentum of a game with one shot and close out a game in the final minutes. Curry’s leadership has delivered multiple championships and playoff appearances, creating a culture of selflessness and teamwork in basketball. His dribbling, shooting, and scoring have redefined the base expectations for a regular point guard. His composure in pressure situations and ability to help his teammates and provide them with a leader on and off the court, and Curry does win with a higher field goal percentage to compare statistics. Magic has more playoffs played, rings, and all-star games, and leads in almost all the other stats besides the scoring leaders, which Curry leads with 2 wins. Both have to define their role in clutch situations and performances throughout their careers, and both have a different approach to delivering in high-pressure situations.
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| Photo: Marca.com |
When it comes down to winning, Curry will send a 3-pointer to win the game and take control of it. At the same time, magic would either create room to make a play for his teammates or find ways to create a play for himself to determine who better is hard due to the different eras and unique playing styles, so it's a personal preference I got to talk to talk to my dad who had watched magic in the 80s as well as curry now. He said Magic certainly has the advantage because of his crazy no-look passes. I got to speak to one of my friends who said that Curry has the advantage because of his 3-pointers from far range and being able to convert. It's important to recognize the greatness these 2 point guards have created for the NBA community and culture because both have made a name for themselves in different patches.
