The ongoing debate about who holds the crown as the greatest point guard ever often narrows down to two names: Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry. For decades, Johnson was considered the benchmark, the player who defined the role during the 1980s. But as Curry has transformed basketball itself and built a résumé filled with championships and historic achievements, his claim to that title has only grown stronger.
Curry’s fourth NBA championship in 2022 ignited the conversation further. His Finals run not only gave him another ring but also the elusive Finals MVP trophy that critics long said he lacked. With that performance, many felt Curry had finally cemented his place in the all-time hierarchy. Magic Johnson, however, is not quick to surrender the mantle, though he has spoken openly about what sets Curry apart from every other guard who has ever stepped on the floor.
Magic’s Perspective on Curry’s Game
In an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, Johnson was asked what makes Curry so different. His answer was a masterclass in basketball analysis.
“First, it’s his constant movement without the ball. Nobody has ever been in better condition, nobody has used screens with that kind of precision, and nobody has stayed so perfectly balanced coming off them. He can shoot off balance as well, which is something we simply hadn’t seen before. And then, the range. He’s not heaving shots from half court. He’s shooting them with form and rhythm. That’s unheard of for someone of his size.”
Johnson emphasized that Curry’s blend of endurance, off-ball genius, and limitless shooting range is without precedent. Other stars have specialized in either catch-and-shoot scoring or creating shots off the dribble. Curry mastered both.
The Mindset That Defines Him
For Magic, what truly elevates Curry goes beyond mechanics. It is his mentality. The two-time MVP is known as the “Baby-faced Assassin” for a reason. Behind the smile is a relentless competitor who thrives under pressure. Magic even noted that Kobe Bryant once highlighted the same killer instinct.
Curry proved this during the 2022 Finals against Boston. In a series where many doubted his ability to carry a team to a title without Kevin Durant, he silenced every critic. He averaged 31.2 points, six rebounds, and five assists across the six games, shooting nearly 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. Johnson pointed to that series as the defining chapter in Curry’s story.
“He shut down every voice that said he couldn’t be a Finals MVP, that he couldn’t lead his team. He already knew he could do it, and then he showed the entire world. That performance put him on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest to ever play this game.”
Legacy Secured
Even before 2022, Curry’s résumé was historic. Three championships, two MVP awards, the only unanimous MVP in league history, and the all-time three-point record. But that Finals run elevated him into another category. He had already changed the way the game is played. After Boston, he also had the narrative-defining moment that even legends like Magic recognize as the seal of greatness.
Johnson may never officially hand over the title of greatest point guard, but his words underline just how rare Curry is. His conditioning, his skill, his range, and his competitive edge have combined to create a player unlike any the league has ever seen.
