For the last few years, the GOAT debate has been a two-man race. However, before LeBron James and Michael Jordan dominated the conversation, a different name was also in the debate. While his scoring prowess wasn’t as gaudy as other candidates, Magic Johnson made a unique mark on the sport. Whether it was his unique vision as a passer or intangibles as a leader, Johnson was way ahead of his time.

As a result, some still believe he has a case for the greatest of all-time title. “Smiling, dropping 26,15, and 9…This is why I have all these conversations…Michael Jordan, and I get it, it looks a lot better now. Michael Jordan in hindsight, he dunked, and he scored, and all that,” LA rapper Glasses Malone said.

Speaking on the Broken Play show, Malone would make the case for Magic. To him, the level of competition was the deciding factor. “Magic Johnson was such a phenom…Come into the league and win a Championship, Finals MVP. Michael Jordan beat the [Seattle Super] Sonics, my guy beat the [Boston] Celtics. It’s just levels.” 

The case for Magic is definitely there. Both on and off the court, his impact was comparable to any other name in the sport. Alongside Larry Bird, the Los Angeles Lakers legend was the first to make the NBA a popular sport across the nation. While Jordan took the game global, the foundations came from the 5x NBA Champion.

But, while his stone is dried and most don’t consider him a discussion, could a man with a lot of his characteristics come to define the GOAT debate soon?

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A Magic Johnson-lite challenges Michael Jordan?

Since retiring, both men have built vast, expansive business empires. But they have also served as inspirations for a host of new superstars. One such name, however, a unique blend of both Magic and his rival-in-crime Bird, has a shot at entering these same discussions.

In a meteoric rise, Nikola Jokic has become one of the greatest players to ever play the sport. And he’s just getting started. With time on his side and a trajectory unlike any other, the path for Jokic is pretty straightforward. With the Denver Nuggets primed for years to come, and The Joker showing no signs of slowing down, the case for Nikola as GOAT could come sooner rather than later.

Already, talks of his efficiency being the best of all time have started making the rounds. Do you think Jokic could ascend to those levels? Let us know in the comments below.

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