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.
See, I guess I just don’t see Nash, Kidd, and Stockton really being close in passing ability to Magic.
I’m actually kind of surprised people don’t think Magic sits in a tier far and away from the rest of the pack (not saying that’s who I would pick in my scenario, in all honesty I think I lean towards Steph).
Magic literally makes passes none of those guys can make. Full-court one-handed bounce passes, the consistency of his no-look passes (the other guys could do it, but it was rare when with Magic it was a common occurrence).
Just out of curiosity, why do you think those guys listed are in the same tier as Magic in terms of passing?
I don’t only think they’re in the same tier, I think a couple of them are better passers than Magic. I’d also consider throwing Jokic into that category too.
I don’t think Magic is a generational passer. Jason Kidd did everything you described Magic doing in spades. Stockton averaged 14.5 assists per game for his career. Jokic is able to make the passes he does, even at his height and size.
It’s hard for me to put Kidd in the same category when he’s only averaged double digit assists as a pass first point guard 3 times in his career.
Sounds like you’re by yourself then, everyone else sees those guys plus a few others as just as elite of passers. I’m not even sure I’d consider Magic the best passer all time…that gives you your answer