Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are extensively thought to be particular gamers who would flourish in no matter period in the NBA they’re plugged into. Jason Williams, nevertheless, doesn’t suppose so and believes the legends would not have it seamless if they performed in today’s tempo-and-house, three-level-taking pictures-heavy atmosphere.
Both got here to the league in 1979 and helped flip issues round for a struggling Association then. Magic and Bird gave start to the most effective rivalries in league historical past, which followers gravitated in direction of.
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They additionally had a lot of success, combining for eight NBA titles – Magic with 5 with the Los Angeles Lakers and Bird with three with the Boston Celtics – six MVP awards (three every) and 24 All-Star picks.
More importantly, they’re credited for ushering in a new period of thrilling and aggressive model of play, which paved the way in which for the NBA that followers know in the present day.
Struggling in today’s recreation
However, regardless of the success they’d individually and in basketball as a entire, J-Will expressed his opinion on the prospect of each taking part in in the present day. On one of many latest episodes of the “Hoopin’ M Hollerin'” podcast, one-time NBA champion Williams shared that whereas he revered what Magic and Bird have been capable of do all through their careers, he isn’t utterly down on the thought that the 2 would immediately flourish, extra so dominate, in today’s NBA, like what many suppose.
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About Magic, “White Chocolate” mentioned the Lakers nice’s common taking pictures, particularly from the surface, would possibly hamper his basic effectiveness in opposition to fashionable gamers.
“Magic and Bird, they would struggle in today’s game, too. Magic, he couldn’t hit sand if it fell off a camel,” Williams said.
For his profession, the 6’9″ Magic averaged 19.5 factors whereas taking pictures 52 % from the sphere and 30.3 % from past the arc, doing most of his harm from the midrange and the publish.
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Williams then proceeded to say that he sees Magic in the trendy day in three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, who was stellar together with his all-round recreation early however discovered it powerful to progress as he has not been capable of develop a constant shot.
As for Bird, Williams agreed to the commentary that, like Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, “Larry Legend”might affect video games together with his outdoors taking pictures in the present day. But in different sides, like his lack of athleticism, he would possibly discover the going powerful.
For NBA legend-turned-basketball analyst Reggie Miller, Magic and Bird would dominate even in today’s recreation. No query about it. He is basing his case on firsthand expertise taking part in in opposition to the 2 superstars in their prime and on observations from overlaying the video games now.
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“Larry Bird might play in any period, era, and dominate. Same with Magic, Michael [Jordan]. It does not matter. You might plug them in the 60s and you can plug them in today’s recreation and they would be simply as dominant… Larry Bird would dominate in today’s recreation. And he will get to shoot 15 to twenty threes? Are you kidding me?” Miller shared on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
Magic and Bird had flaws in their recreation, for positive, however what made them extra particular past their particular person abilities was the competitiveness that allowed them to hurdle all adversaries that got here their manner.
Given that they constantly rank among the many high 10 gamers on nearly each all-time listing, it’s honest to imagine their greatness would translate throughout eras. Players of that caliber do not simply depend on methods or different circumstances. They will discover a method to dominate regardless.
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Related: When LeBron and Carmelo rejected Larry Bird’s notion that the NBA needed White superstars
This story was initially revealed by Basketball Network on Apr 23, 2026, the place it first appeared in the Latest News part. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
