I think it’s almost unanimous that Steph is the greatest shooter of all time and Magic is the greatest passer of all time. My question is, who has a wider gap between them and #2 + the rest of the pack?
Also, stats are important, but not the end all be all here. For instance, Klay might actually be a slightly better catch-and-shoot 3pt maker than Steph, but Steph is so far and away better at creating his own shot it’s why he is clearly the best shooter of all time. And Magic may not hold the assist record, but you would be hard-pressed by most fans and players if you said Stockton had a similar passing ability to Magic.
Nope.
Magic can make every pass Jokic, LeBron etc. can, but Jokic and LeBron can’t make every pass that Magic did AT THE VOLUME Magic was asked to do it at.
Sure flashy passes have been made by all, but Magic could make jaw dropping passes 10x-15x per game. Jokic, LeBron, CP3, Stockton etc will make 2 or 3 great passes per game and people think that makes them equal to Magic.
No, Magic had volumes of highlight reel passes that the others couldn’t touch.
You’re getting closer. Magic was the flashiest passer of all time. Not the best. Highlights don’t matter much in this discussion.
The passes were flashy because often Magic was using ball-fakes and no-look misdirects to either create a passing lane or ensure his passes weren’t intercepted. These are skills that are rarely used in today’s game because players rely more on their handle and athleticism than misdirection and spatial awareness.
I can tell you haven’t watched Magic much because you seem to think being flashy didn’t also have a purpose.
That is how you have the highest APG when it matters most (the playoffs) as Magic does.
You can try to minimize his godlike passing level, but it won’t work. Magic is by far the best passer this league has ever seen. Modern players are also good, but Magic was great more consistently.