Magic Johnson declares Michael Jordan his NBA ‘GOAT’
magic-johnson-picks-michael-jordan-as-goat
Lakers icon Magic Johnson says Michael Jordan remains the greatest basketball player of all time, edging current Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and fellow franchise legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Speaking at the Dodgers All-Access event in Los Angeles earlier this week, the Hall of Fame point guard was asked to name his personal “GOAT.” Johnson chose Jordan and then listed James, Abdul-Jabbar and 11-time champion Bill Russell as the next names in the conversation.
“I would have to say Michael,” Johnson said. “We haven’t seen anybody do the things that Michael could do. He was physically so gifted and at the same time smart. … Then I think we have two other Lakers following him right after that, and that would be LeBron and Kareem. But Michael, I would say. And then you’ve got to throw Bill Russell in there, because 11 championships, you can’t deny that.”
Johnson recalled one play in particular from the 1991 NBA Finals, when Jordan switched the ball from his right hand to his left in mid-air against the Lakers. “Still the greatest shot I’ve ever seen,” he said.
The former Lakers captain added that iconic moves by Jordan and Julius Erving rank as the two most memorable shots he has witnessed in his lifetime.
Johnson acknowledged the ongoing debate between Jordan and James but reiterated his stance: “They go back and forth in today’s world about Michael and LeBron, and that’s OK. … I’m taking Michael, but we have a lot of other great guys too.”
Source: Lakers Nation
