When a former NBA champion drops a take that makes the entire basketball world stop and stare, you know something big just happened. Jeff Teague just did exactly that, claiming Stephen Curry deserves to rank higher than Magic Johnson in the all-time pantheon. The statement has sent shockwaves through veteran basketball circles, sparking a debate that goes straight to the heart of how NBA fans and media measure greatness.
Should Stephen Curry Be Ranked Higher Than Magic Johnson?
The GOAT debate typically centers around Michael Jordan and LeBron James, but the other eight spots in any top-10 list remain hotly contested territory. Curry’s fourth NBA championship and his record-breaking career 3-pointer milestone have pushed some to consider him among the all-time greats. However, most of the NBA world still places Lakers legend Magic Johnson above Curry, with some considering Johnson a top-5 player all time.
That’s what makes Teague’s position so striking. After a Bleacher Report ranking went viral, the former NBA guard shared his controversial take during a recent episode of the “Club 520 Podcast.”
“I’m taking Steph over Magic Johnson. I know Magic saved the league — him and Larry Bird saved the NBA — I get it. So there’s no disrespect. Magic made it cool to be a big point guard. But Steph saved everybody.”
What Makes This Comparison So Complex?
Johnson’s resume speaks for itself. The first overall pick in 1979 helped the Lakers capture the 1980 NBA championship alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Standing 6’9″ with exceptional court vision and passing ability, Johnson redefined what a point guard could be and collected five championships during his career.
The numbers tell part of the story. Johnson averaged 19.5 points , 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists throughout his career. Even nearly three decades since Johnson retired, many still consider him the greatest point guard ever.
Meanwhile, Curry brings a completely different skill set to the conversation. His career averages of 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists show his scoring dominance, though they pale in comparison to Johnson’s facilitating and rebounding numbers. Curry also boasts the widely accepted title of the greatest shooter of all time.
Teague made another intriguing point about a potential head-to-head matchup. Despite Johnson’s significant size advantage, Teague questioned whether the Lakers legend would truly dominate Curry one-on-one. Curry’s superior ball-handling and shooting skills could pose problems even for a prime Johnson.
The comparison boils down to this: Johnson represents the better “pure point guard” with his elite facilitating abilities, averaging more than 11 assists per game. Curry, however, presents a stronger case as the superior scorer and offensive threat that opposing defenses struggle to contain.
Both players revolutionized basketball in their own eras. Johnson paved the way for forwards like James and Luka Dončić to handle point guard duties and run offenses. Curry proved that players without freakish size and athleticism could still dominate at the highest level, inspiring countless others along the way.
