How many NBA championships might Magic Johnson have won if he didn't
have reason to worry about health concerns?

This guy has to be rated as one of the top three players to ever play
the game. His dominance of any position on the court was extraordinary.

He may have been the one man who could have come close if not equalled
the number of titles Bill Russell collected.

rdjio@webtv.net wrote:

Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson
Jabbar
Wilt
Russell
Oscar
Shaq
Hakeem

Are you sure Magic has to be in the top three?

Rizzo

Bill Russell won more titles than any man alive!
The NBA is about winning so he's number ONE.

Magic might have been the only man who could have duplicated that
number. His versatility of playing any position on the court makes him
more phenomenal than Jordan. Remember Magic played center his rookie
year as a sub for Kareem when he won his first title. Magic like
Russell could play with any cast of characters around him. Take away
Pippen from Jordan and his success diminishes greatly.

rdjio@webtv.net wrote:

his health concerns came to light in 91. i'm not sure he had a lot of
championships left in him at that point.

dave

rdjio@webtv.net wrote:


If Winning is the sole criteria, where do you put Robert Horry on your
list? Scottie Pippen? I don't look at it the same way. There are
some great players who won one or no championships because they didn't
have the supporting cast or coaching. Ewing, Barkley are on the top 50
team even though they won zero championships. There may be some
additional criteria.

Rizzo

Riz-If Winning is the sole criteria,

Answer- there is no other reason to play.
==================================
Riz-where do you put Robert Horry on your list?

Answer- He's not on my list. At no time is Horry considered an impact
player or superstar. He's lucky and was in a fortunate position much
like Lindsey Hunter. He simply contributed to a good team.
====================================
Riz-Scottie Pippen? I don't look at it the same way.

Answer- You can be sure Jordan does.
=====================================
Riz-There are some great players who won one or no championships
because they didn't have the supporting cast or coaching.

Answer- then they weren't great only good.
Greatness shines and rises above all.
====================================
Riz-Ewing, Barkley are on the top 50 team even though they won zero
championships.

Answer- Ewing and Barkley were simply good players not great. Ewing
lacked leadership and was't close to be the nucleus Russell was. He
never made players around him better and wasn't dominant enough for
others to follow.

Barkley was simply a solid forward and competitor. He neither could
motivate or carry a team in a positive manner or light. He tried to
generate his teamates often with negativity which obviously didn't work.
He was probably more entertaining off the court than on the hardwood.
===================================
Riz-There may be some additional criteria.

Sorry hit the send button by mistake...cont..

Riz-there may be some additional criteria

Answer- there isn't any other than one player establishing his
superiority over the rest of the league. NO men have done that better
than Russell, Magic, and Shaq....The closest dominant force to have not
received a ring would be Karl Malone. His contribution to the game isn't
equalled at the power forward position, and the number of years he
maintained his performances at such a high level is phenomenal.

rdjio@webtv.net wrote:

I would add Jordan to that list. And I don't agree with you that there
is no other criteria besides winning. If that were the case than Horry
would be on your list by your own definition. Therefore there is other
criteria (which you said). Being a dominant player. Barkley is
certainly that. This is why he was MVP of the league. Same with
Malone. I'm not a big Ewing fan, was just using him as an example. I
think you have identified the top of the list, I would just include
Jordan as he was the most dominant player of his era, excelled
offensively and defensively, won multiple MVPs and championships.

Rizzo

Riz-I would add Jordan to that list.

Answer- yes he fits but isn't number one. That honor is still held by
Russell.
=================================
Riz- And I don't agree with you that there is no other criteria besides
winning.

Answer- that is the only reason we keep score.
===================================
Riz-If that were the case than Horry would be on your list by your own
definition.

Answer- No, Horry was never an impact player, never the nuclueus of any
team. Never the first option or leader of any team. He was and is a
role player who's had some very fortunate buzzer beating luck! There is
no aspect of the game that he dominates. He'd never be considered head
and shoulders above his peers. He's got some rings, even Darko has one
of those. Horry's success can actually be given to his agent for moving
him to the right teams at the right moments.
====================================
Riz-Therefore there is other criteria (which you said).

Answer- no, being a champion is the goal.
==================================
Riz- Being a dominant player. Barkley is certainly that. This is why he
was MVP of the league. Same with Malone. I'm not a big Ewing fan, was
just using him as an example.

Answer- They were good solid players but don't share championship
status. Their performances kept us entertained for decades but they
don't fit the mode of being recognized as outstanding, domineering,
elite champions.
Magic won of his rightly his own power and will at all three levels of
the game, high school, college and the NBA in what four years, I think.
That's a champion!
=====================================
Riz-I think you have identified the top of the list, I would just
include Jordan as he was the most dominant player of his era, excelled
offensively and defensively, won multiple MVPs and championships.

Answer- six titles is an impressive number, but at no time did show the
dominance that Magic did in my opinion. Jordan was cut from JV, he
wasn't outstanding in NC until he hit a buzzer beater, wasn't the number
one draft pick, didn't dominate or eleveate his team immediately to
championship status the way Magic did. And it took him some time to
overcome the aggression of both the Pistons and the Celtics.
The absolute best thing he had going for him was the media who sold the
tiring league with his persona.

rdjio@webtv.net wrote:


You aren't making sense. You say championships are your only criteria,
then list other criteria (dominance, leadership,impact player, being
the nucleus of a team). Further, Magic immediately elevating his team
to championship status was largely to do with the fact that he had
Jabbar (a six time league MVP and former champion) on his team where
Jordan had Orlando Woolridge as their best player. Jordan didn't
dominate like Magic? I think most would disagree. Also, the fact that
he was cut from his high school JV team is a stupid comment. The fact
that he was not the number one pick is a testament to a stupid GM
passing on him and that Olajuwan who is a hall of famer was also in the
draft. It is a big man's game. You say Jordan wasn't outstanding at
NC until he hit a buzzer beater. He then was first team all-america
for two years. When did Magic make first team all NBA defense? Never.
Jordan was first team all-defense 8 times. What did Scottie Pippen do
without Jordan? What happened to all the players who won with him, and
then moved on? No championships. Just because Piston fans don't like
the guy doesn't diminish the man's talent. Magic was a great player.
Jordan was as good, as impactful and probably a better all-around
player. If you're going to make a meaningful argument, which you
started out doing, you should not hamper it with JV basketball idiocy
or comments like he wasn't the number one pick.



Rizzo