Pat Riley has a unique relationship with both LeBron James and magic johnson. He was the coach of the Lakers in Magic's prime and he was also the president of the Miami Heat when LeBron was winning them rings. After working with both NBA superstars, Riley has been vocal about who he thinks is the better player. Recently he even went so far as to say that he believes Magic Johnson is the greatest player of all time.
Pat Riley and Magic Johnson define an era of basketball
A lot of adult NBA fans will remember when Pat Riley coached the Los Angeles Lakers team led by Magic Johnson.
It was an era of basketball that was exciting as the Lakers dominated the court. The Showtime Lakers were nothing like any of the teams playing today and because of them, many people became and stayed basketball fans. That's why the Los Angeles Lakers have the incredible fan base that they do today.
Riley said Magic would beat LeBron 1 on 1 in their prime. Riley: "He would never call a foul & LeBron would respect him as an elder"
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 6, 2017
Magic Johnson is a generational talent in every sense. He dominated the NBA during his heyday. That's why many believe that Pat Riley commented that Magic Johnson is the greatest player of all time. Apparently, Riley believes that if Magic and LeBron were to hypothetically face off against each other while both players are in their prime, that Magic would beat LeBron in a one-on-one match up.
The current Heat president reportedly said that because he thinks that LeBron would respect Magic as his elder and that Magic wouldn't call fouls.
A night I won't soon forget! Loved catching up with my legendary Coach, Pat Riley at @AmericanExpress Teamed Up. #AmexNBA #AmexAmbassador pic.twitter.com/syvGzY4TK3
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 6, 2017
Meanwhile, LeBron breaks a Magic Johnson record
Despite all the conversation around him about who is a better player or who might win an imaginary one-on-one, LeBron James is still busy trying not to let the Golden State Warriors take a championship from him.
On Sunday, as the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered another painful loss to the Warriors in the NBA Finals, LeBron tied Magic Johnson for the record for the most triple-doubles during the NBA Finals. Both NBA stars achieved eight triple-doubles during their career while LeBron still has many playing years left.
While Magic Johnson is undoubtedly one of the biggest NBA stars in the history of the game, he's very rarely mentioned as one of the greatest of all time.
Pat Riley's statement that Magic is the GOAT leaves out Lebron James, who is one of the best, if not the best NBA player who is still actively playing. It also leaves out Michael Jordan and Bill Russell, whose NBA achievements are unparalleled and who both deserve to be a part of the conversation. As far as who would win in a one-on-one game, there's no tell
As far as who would win in a one-on-one game, it's all hypothetical. Magic Johnson and LeBron James don't even play the same position and come from totally different eras of basketball. Rather than trying to flesh out who is better, its time to celebrate the best of the NBA for what they were and what they are.
