NBA Off-Season News

[tazzmaniac]

Richard Jefferson: The gap between Stephen Curry and Magic is further than the gap between Kobe and Jordan


“Steph doesn’t want that smoke, as great as Steph is,” said Jefferson. “Steph could make a claim. He could make a claim, I didn’t say it would be accurate. Magic Johnson, it’s not even close.” “His stats are so astronomically wild, like the only rookie ever to get a Finals MVP, like MVP almost every single year, championship after championship,” Frye said. “Steph is that dude, but Steph ain’t that dude. He ain’t that. You ain’t him.” “The gap between him and Magic is, in my opinion, further than the gap between Kobe and Jordan, in my opinion,” added Jefferson. – via Robert Marvi @ CavaliersNation.com

I’m fine with people eating Magic over Steph (I personally think it’s close). But MJ is significantly better than Kobe was, at just about everything

It is easier to compare Jordan and Kobe since they are the same type of player.  Steph and Magic are just so different.  Was Kobe better than Jordan at anything?  Jefferson seems to have forgotten Bird as Magic did not win MVP almost every year.

They are definitely easier to compare. Magic was a freakish hybrid floor general whereas Curry is the best shooter of all time.

Kobe might have a tiny 3PT shooting edge simply due to volume, but I think had MJ played 10-15 years later he would have been better at that too.

I mean in my rankings, I have Steph ahead of Kobe and obviously Jordan is ahead of Magic, so for me, the gap between Steph and Magic is much smaller than the gap between Jordan and Kobe. 

Jefferson's post is just filled so many inaccuracies.  I mean Magic didn't even win his first MVP until 87.  He won again in 89 and then 90 and finished with 3.  More than Curry, but not almost every year.  Heck Magic's rookie year Kareem was the league MVP.  Then you had Dr. J.  Back to back for Moses and then 3 in a row for Bird all before Magic won that first one.  Then Jordan won his 1st, before Magic's final 2.  And while Magic has more titles than Curry, he has ONE more at 5 to 4.  Again the gap isn't that big.  Now Magic did lose 4 Finals to Steph only losing 2, but I always thought making the finals and losing was like the worst thing you could do (at least that is the argument in the Jordan/Lebron discussion).

Jefferson said Magic is the only rookie to win the Finals MVP not the regular season MVP. 

[Moranis]

Richard Jefferson: The gap between Stephen Curry and Magic is further than the gap between Kobe and Jordan


“Steph doesn’t want that smoke, as great as Steph is,” said Jefferson. “Steph could make a claim. He could make a claim, I didn’t say it would be accurate. Magic Johnson, it’s not even close.” “His stats are so astronomically wild, like the only rookie ever to get a Finals MVP, like MVP almost every single year, championship after championship,” Frye said. “Steph is that dude, but Steph ain’t that dude. He ain’t that. You ain’t him.” “The gap between him and Magic is, in my opinion, further than the gap between Kobe and Jordan, in my opinion,” added Jefferson. – via Robert Marvi @ CavaliersNation.com

I’m fine with people eating Magic over Steph (I personally think it’s close). But MJ is significantly better than Kobe was, at just about everything

It is easier to compare Jordan and Kobe since they are the same type of player.  Steph and Magic are just so different.  Was Kobe better than Jordan at anything?  Jefferson seems to have forgotten Bird as Magic did not win MVP almost every year.

They are definitely easier to compare. Magic was a freakish hybrid floor general whereas Curry is the best shooter of all time.

Kobe might have a tiny 3PT shooting edge simply due to volume, but I think had MJ played 10-15 years later he would have been better at that too.

I mean in my rankings, I have Steph ahead of Kobe and obviously Jordan is ahead of Magic, so for me, the gap between Steph and Magic is much smaller than the gap between Jordan and Kobe. 

Jefferson's post is just filled so many inaccuracies.  I mean Magic didn't even win his first MVP until 87.  He won again in 89 and then 90 and finished with 3.  More than Curry, but not almost every year.  Heck Magic's rookie year Kareem was the league MVP.  Then you had Dr. J.  Back to back for Moses and then 3 in a row for Bird all before Magic won that first one.  Then Jordan won his 1st, before Magic's final 2.  And while Magic has more titles than Curry, he has ONE more at 5 to 4.  Again the gap isn't that big.  Now Magic did lose 4 Finals to Steph only losing 2, but I always thought making the finals and losing was like the worst thing you could do (at least that is the argument in the Jordan/Lebron discussion).

Jefferson said Magic is the only rookie to win the Finals MVP not the regular season MVP.

read the quote again.

[Roy H.]

Richard Jefferson: The gap between Stephen Curry and Magic is further than the gap between Kobe and Jordan


“Steph doesn’t want that smoke, as great as Steph is,” said Jefferson. “Steph could make a claim. He could make a claim, I didn’t say it would be accurate. Magic Johnson, it’s not even close.” “His stats are so astronomically wild, like the only rookie ever to get a Finals MVP, like MVP almost every single year, championship after championship,” Frye said. “Steph is that dude, but Steph ain’t that dude. He ain’t that. You ain’t him.” “The gap between him and Magic is, in my opinion, further than the gap between Kobe and Jordan, in my opinion,” added Jefferson. – via Robert Marvi @ CavaliersNation.com

I’m fine with people eating Magic over Steph (I personally think it’s close). But MJ is significantly better than Kobe was, at just about everything

It is easier to compare Jordan and Kobe since they are the same type of player.  Steph and Magic are just so different.  Was Kobe better than Jordan at anything?  Jefferson seems to have forgotten Bird as Magic did not win MVP almost every year.

They are definitely easier to compare. Magic was a freakish hybrid floor general whereas Curry is the best shooter of all time.

Kobe might have a tiny 3PT shooting edge simply due to volume, but I think had MJ played 10-15 years later he would have been better at that too.

I mean in my rankings, I have Steph ahead of Kobe and obviously Jordan is ahead of Magic, so for me, the gap between Steph and Magic is much smaller than the gap between Jordan and Kobe. 

Jefferson's post is just filled so many inaccuracies.  I mean Magic didn't even win his first MVP until 87.  He won again in 89 and then 90 and finished with 3.  More than Curry, but not almost every year.  Heck Magic's rookie year Kareem was the league MVP.  Then you had Dr. J.  Back to back for Moses and then 3 in a row for Bird all before Magic won that first one.  Then Jordan won his 1st, before Magic's final 2.  And while Magic has more titles than Curry, he has ONE more at 5 to 4.  Again the gap isn't that big.  Now Magic did lose 4 Finals to Steph only losing 2, but I always thought making the finals and losing was like the worst thing you could do (at least that is the argument in the Jordan/Lebron discussion).

There were some inaccuracies, without a doubt.  That said, 5 titles and 9 trips to the Finals during the 80s / early 90s is more impressive than Steph's accomplishments.

[Vermont Green]

Harry Giles just signed a 1 year deal with the Nets.

So no 2-way deal for Harry.  I am disappointed, was hoping we could get him on a 2-way.  Not sure I would want him taking a spot on the regular roster though.

Michael Scotto: The deal between Harry Giles and the Brooklyn Nets is a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, league sources told @hoopshype . Giles will compete for a roster spot. – via Twitter MikeAScotto

Sounds like he may end up on a two way if he isn't able to make the team.  Will he still be eligible for a 2-way if he gets cut?

[Donoghus]

Jordan >>>>>>>> Kobe

Magic >>> Steph

[Who]

Steph is nowhere near Magic. He is a superstar only in this era of basketball.

Kobe is a superstar in every era of basketball. As is Jordan. As is Magic.

[Moranis]

Steph is nowhere near Magic. He is a superstar only in this era of basketball.

Kobe is a superstar in every era of basketball. As is Jordan. As is Magic.

I don't know about that.  There are small superstars in every decade, Cousy, West, Tiny, Maravich, etc.  Would Curry's game look a bit different, sure, but so would Jordan's if he played today?

[MattyIce]

Harry Giles just signed a 1 year deal with the Nets.

So no 2-way deal for Harry.  I am disappointed, was hoping we could get him on a 2-way.  Not sure I would want him taking a spot on the regular roster though.

Michael Scotto
@MikeAScotto
·
5h
The deal between Harry Giles and the Brooklyn Nets is a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, league sources told
@hoopshype
. Giles will compete for a roster spot.

[gouki88]

Steph is nowhere near Magic. He is a superstar only in this era of basketball.

Kobe is a superstar in every era of basketball. As is Jordan. As is Magic.

Your point on the ability for ones superstardom to translate is not only incorrect IMO but not the be-all and end-all as you're portraying it to be

[Donoghus]

Great shooting is great shooting.

To me, that's a trait that transcends eras.

[gouki88]

Great shooting is great shooting.

To me, that's a trait that transcends eras.

He’s also one of the best off-ball movers of all time, and a great finisher from mid-range and inside the paint.

[Who]

Steph is a star in any era but he is a superstar only in this era. Only in this era does his skill-set get maximized. He is not well rounded enough as a pure basketball talent to dominate in other eras.

Great shooting is great shooting.

To me, that's a trait that transcends eras.

Agreed. That is why Steph will be a star in any era. A star but not a superstar. Not an MVP candidate. Not a player who can lead a team to a title as a small PG (in any era).

Steph is nowhere near Magic. He is a superstar only in this era of basketball.

Kobe is a superstar in every era of basketball. As is Jordan. As is Magic.

I don't know about that.  There are small superstars in every decade, Cousy, West, Tiny, Maravich, etc.  Would Curry's game look a bit different, sure, but so would Jordan's if he played today?

Not comparable to Jerry West. West was 6-4 barefoot with long arms and was a high level athlete. He was one of the top defensive guards in the league. He was a much more versatile scorer who was better at getting to & finishing at the rim as well as getting to the FT line. His superior size allowed him to get his shot off in more situations.

Tiny and Cousy are different types of players.

I don't know, was a Tiny a superstar? An MVP candidate? It is hard to say. Short peak on a bad team to a middling team. Never got to play at the highest level (team wise) while at his peak. Either way, Tiny had a huge advantage over Curry in terms of speed. He was the fastest player in the league. Nobody could stay in front of him. He beat his man off the dribble at prolific rates and lived inside the paint. That is how he got so many paint finishes, high FT attempts and created so many opportunities for his teammates - by collapsing the defense. Steph can do that to a solid but unspectacular level.

Cousy was a superstar but he was unable to lead his team to a title as the best player. Unlike Magic. Unlike Steph in this current era. Could Steph play at a level similar to Cousy? Maybe. Could he lead a team to a title in Cousy's era? Nope. Could Magic? Yes.

Not sure about Maravich as a superstar. He was an entertainer more than a winner.

Steph is nowhere near Magic. He is a superstar only in this era of basketball.

Kobe is a superstar in every era of basketball. As is Jordan. As is Magic.

Your point on the ability for ones superstardom to translate is not only incorrect IMO but not the be-all and end-all as you're portraying it to be

Agreed. Just a different viewpoint.

One viewpoint is looking solely at how they performed in their careers & era. Another is looking at their pure basketball ability and how well they could play in different situations, team dynamics, eras. Both viewpoints have validity. 

A lot of small guards in this era benefit greatly from the rule changes and wouldn't be as good in past eras. Nash is one of those players. A guy who went from 3rd Team All-NBA to MVP after rule changes. Steph is another of those players. An All-Star maybe top 10 player to an MVP.



Steph does not translate as well because of his over-reliance on his outside shooting for high end impact. That is great in a league with a three point line and in a time where players can take a high volume of 3s and in an era where less physical contact is allowed on perimeter players. All enabling Steph to perform at a higher level in this era versus other ones.

The rest of his game is not as strong. He is only an average to slightly above average defender & rebounder. He is a solid but unexceptional ball-handler who cannot break down opposing defenses off the dribble as well as other great PGs. He is a very good passer but his handles reduce his playmaking. More of a smart floor general like Chauncey Billups than a true playmaker like Tiny Archibald.

Magic is different. Far more well rounded. It doesn't matter what era you put him in. He is going to be the best passer in the league in every one of them. He is going to be a strong rebounding forward or best rebounding guard in all of them. He is going to be a very good scorer in all of them. He is going to be one of the most efficient overall scorers in all of them. These are all among league leaders. Steph is only a league leader in outside shooting / outside scoring. Steph does not have the all-round game.

[moiso]

I have always considered Curry to be an excellent ballhandler.  I think it's more his lack of elite athleticism that prevents him from breaking down the defense easily.

[Moranis]

West was 6'3" 175 pounds.  Slightly taller but lighter than Curry.  That is the point I was making though.  They played in different eras so they developed their games differently.  Curry would have gone to the paint more in the 60's, while West would have shot the deep ball a lot more today.  Curry is an excellent ball handler with solid court vision.  And while he isn't a great defender, he does have quick defensive hands and a knack for getting steals (even leading the league once in spg and twice for total steals).  Curry would have been a superstar in any era, a different style of play to match the era, but a superstar nonetheless.

[Who]

West was 6'3" 175 pounds.  Slightly taller but lighter than Curry.  That is the point I was making though.  They played in different eras so they developed their games differently.  Curry would have gone to the paint more in the 60's, while West would have shot the deep ball a lot more today.  Curry is an excellent ball handler with solid court vision.  And while he isn't a great defender, he does have quick defensive hands and a knack for getting steals (even leading the league once in spg and twice for total steals).  Curry would have been a superstar in any era, a different style of play to match the era, but a superstar nonetheless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj9jbyUlsPU

Jerry West himself saying his height. 6 foot 4 and a half with a 6-9 wingspan. Similar to D-Wade in height (taller Wade 6 foot 3 and 3/4ers) and length (Wade 6-10 three quarters wingspan) but not bulk (Wade 215lbs).

Curry is nowhere near West in height or athleticism.

Curry cannot get to the paint and finish at a high rate because he lacks the athleticism / quickness to do so. Curry cannot diversify his offense as well as other players as a result. He is more reliant on outside shooting / outside scoring.