The Golden State Warriors are good enough that they’re forcing us to ask whether they’re the best team ever. Vegas oddsmakers say they would favor the 2017 Warriors over the 1996 Bulls, though, previously the team most widely considered to be the “best ever.” Some people would laugh at that, and that’s fine. We can all have different opinions about this, especially since there’s no conclusive way to determine an answer.
However, there are contrarian opinions and there are bad ones. This opinion, from Lakers general manager Magic Johnson, is a bad one.
Magic Johnson says the "Showtime" Lakers would have swept today's Golden State Warriors. pic.twitter.com/D9wm2T35ZA
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 6, 2017
Magic Johnson: We would probably sweep ’em. They’re too small. They’re too small.
Pat Riley: You want to go down and shoot the game of threes, try (putting) someone on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Magic Johnson: Zaza, I’m sorry.
Pat Riley: It’s not personal. The Celtics in the ’60s, the Lakers in the ’80s, Michael (Jordan’s) team (won) six out of seven in the ’90s, the Lakers won five in the 2000s.
Magic Johnson: Too little.
It’s fine to believe the Showtime Lakers are better than the current Warriors squad — that Showtime Lakers squad was incredible. I recently rewatched some of their games against the Mavericks while researching a book and saw just how dominant they could be. Magic’s right that the Warriors would have a lot of trouble slowing down Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and would probably be crushed on the glass. The NBA hasn’t gotten smaller, but there are fewer dominant big men in the Abdul-Jabbar ilk than we had before.
But to say your team would sweep them isn’t showing the Warriors any respect. How would the Showtime Lakers slow down Kevin Durant? Are they really keeping up with Stephen Curry? A shooter like Klay Thompson didn’t really exist back in the 1980s, with his accuracy, quick release, and volume of attempts.
Draymond Green was asked about Magic’s comments, and he responded very appropriately.
Draymond Green responds to Magic Johnson saying his Showtime Lakers would sweep these Warriors pic.twitter.com/8NIH47nkZy
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 6, 2017
We usually transcribe these videos for people who might not be able to listen to them at this moment, but there’s no need. His answer goes something like this: “Hahahaha hahahaha haha.”
That’s the appropriate response. It’s not really Magic’s fault, since old NBA players are always defensive of their accomplishments and reluctant to praise the current generation. But c’mon, Magic. The Showtime Lakers might win, maybe, but saying it would be a sweep is laughable.