Basketball's Five Greatest Players of All-Time

Earvin (Magic) Johnson

Earvin (Magic) Johnson

Short answer: Magic Johnson is the best player at the most important spot on the court - the point guard.

Longer answer: Like Russell and his teammate Kareem, Johnson had an immediate impact on his team, winning the Finals MVP in his first season with a historic performance in the deciding game six. Along with rival and friend Larry Bird, Johnson ushered in the modern era of the NBA, from the black-and-white 1970s to the flashy 1980s and beyond. He's a five-time champion, three-time MVP, and re-introduced the game to concepts like big point guards (Ben Simmons), unselfish basketball (Lonzo Ball), and triple-doubles (Russell Westbrook).