The Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson debate is still up in the air, with various active NBA stars and retired veterans all sharing their takes on it. However, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a surprising perspective on the debate. He chose neither of the two players and named his own GOAT for the point guard position.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is unquestionably one of the greatest players to have ever graced the NBA. His contributions to the game are exceptionally significant, and to this day, he is revered as an NBA legend. The ‘Big A’ has played alongside numerous players who are now considered legends in the world of the NBA, so when asked about the greatest in certain positions, his opinion holds considerable value.
Who is the former NBA point guard Oscar Robertson?
Oscar Robertson was the point guard for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks and was active in the 1960s and 70s. He is considered to be one of the greatest to play the game; the Naismith Hall of Famer quickly made a name for himself since his days as a university student. When the time came to step into the professional scene, he proved his worth and emerged as an indispensable key player for his teams.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played with Robertson during the latter’s career’s end. They played together for a total of four years, from 1970 to 1974. In those four years, they won an NBA championship once, in 1971. While Jabbar is considered one of the most dominant forces in the NBA, Robertson was also very dominant himself. He is the original Mr. Triple Double, as he was the first player, and one of only two in the NBA, to achieve a Triple-Double feat, followed only by Russell Westbrook afterward.
The Big O is a 12-time NBA All-Star and made the All-NBA Team 11 times. He also won an MVP in his 14-season-long career. His impact on the game and achievements on the court are remarkable, but his contribution to the game as a whole is also significant. He was a pioneer for African American players in the NBA and a very vocal advocate for players’ rights.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar picks the greatest point guard of all-time, ignoring Magic and Curry
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was asked in an interview with Justin Walters to express his thoughts on who the best point guard of all time was, Stephen Curry or Magic Johnson. The Lakers legend took an entirely different route and named a certain Oscar Robertson.
The Big A said, “I do not think it is any one of them. Oscar Robertson. The Big O. I only had a chance to play with him at the end of his career. But he was awesome, and people had seen him play at the prime of his career, with the 3-point shot.”
This decision may surprise many people, given that the Big O is not as famous as Curry or Magic. Later in his statement, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said that players like Curry, LeBron, and Magic are superior to Oscar, but in his opinion, Oscar stands as the best of all. Considering that Robertson retired in 1974, and the three-point line was not introduced until six years later, The Big A thought Robertson to be too influential to not be picked.
What do you think of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s statements? Do you think he is better than Curry or Magic? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
