The Jordan-Magic-Bird Club

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. For my Pro Training Center colleague David Thorpe and I, these are the three greatest players in the history of basketball - in that order. To us, they are so great, they have their own club. Only three members – them.

Is this a great topic for debate? The best. Is it impossible to judge? We don't think so.

In considering multiple categories of criteria – from stats, skills and versatility to team success and big game performance - these three players, in the minds of the committee, just separate themselves and rise to the top. There are plenty of other players who stay in the hunt to the very end, but drop out at some point.

Over the years, our Jordan-Magic-Bird committee has reviewed dozens of applications from many highly qualified candidates, including Russell, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, Robertson, West, Baylor, Pettit, and Erving. We have a K. Malone and an M. Malone in our active application file, as well as McHale, Stockton, Barkley, I.Thomas, Cousy, a guy named Tiny, Wilkens, Bing and many others.

We have also received applications from some current players – a Mr. K. Bryant and a Mr. L. James. The committee has deliberated for hours on a Mr. T. Duncan.

All applications are carefully reviewed, and although our committee deliberations are confidential and we do not share personal information on our applicants, we do have some basic criteria for consideration and membership:

1. A player must be one of the best players at his position – ever. These fights go well into the night in every bar in America. Most of the players above, and others not mentioned, make it past this first step. Obviously, you must ultimately be the best ever at your position to get in – as Magic, Jordan and Bird were the best 1-2-3 to ever play in the league. (According to our committee.)
2. A player must be versatile and multi-positional. This is where most of the dominant centers and small point guards exit the argument – they can only play one position. That doesn't diminish their greatness, it just keeps them out of the club. Jordan and Bird could play three positions, and Magic could play all five. Oscar Robertson could play 1-2-3 and virtually invented the triple-double. As great as Jerry West was, he wasn't as versatile as these guys. Bill Russell's presence at the defensive end keeps him in contention, and Kareem moves to the next round as he was 1st or 2nd team All-Defense 11 times. Tim Duncan continues to get consideration as a combo 4/5 and defender. Wilt's crazy numbers require continued review.
3. A player must have a high offensive skill level – scoring more than 18 points per game and shooting a high percentage from the field and the foul line. Russell bows out here, as a career 44% FG and 56% FT shooter and scoring only 15 points per game. Wilt stunk at the foul line. The Big Fundamental shoots almost 51% FG for his career, but his FT% of 68% is a concern for the committee. Kareem shot 55.9% from the field and a more respectable 72% from the line. His sky hook was the single most dominant weapon in basketball history. For their careers, Jordan shot 49% FG and 83% FT, Magic shot 52% FG and 84% FT, and Bird shot 49% FG and 88% FT. Those are better numbers than Oscar or The Logo, but not by much.
4. A player must have sustained or elevated his play in the playoffs, and have been the "Go To Guy" at crunch time – making the big play when needed. Jerry West certainly gets high praise in this area, as "Mr. Clutch" saw his scoring average jump almost five points per game in the playoffs. Wilt Chamberlain's scoring numbers plummeted eight points in the playoffs, and his FT% went from a horrid 51% to a wretched 46% at playoff time. Was Russell the offensive "go to guy" down the stretch? Or was it Cousy, K.C or Sam? "Havlicek Stole The Ball!" Jordan's scoring average went up three points per game in the playoffs, and his rebounds and assists increased as well. Both Magic and Bird's rebounds and assists rose in the playoffs, and their scoring and shooting percentages stayed virtually the same. The Big O saw his scoring drop three points per game. With Jordan, Magic and Bird, everyone on the planet knew who would have the ball in their hands at the most critical times of the game. Think of Jordan over Ehlo and sticking it to Utah, 38 with the flu, Magic hitting "The Hook" against Boston or playing center for an injured Kareem against the Sixers, Larry following his own shot against Houston, dueling Dominique, "The Steal" against Detroit – you get the picture.
5. A player must have won at least three NBA championships and been the Finals MVP at least twice. Jordan went six for six, Magic won five titles and was MVP three times, and Bird won three titles, winning the MVP twice. This is where Duncan continues to get great consideration, as he was MVP in three of the Spurs four championships. Shaq was MVP in all three of the Laker championships, and got a fourth ring in Miami, but fails in the skill and versatility categories. We will assume that Bill Russell was the MVP in at least two of his 11 titles. Kareem won six titles and was the MVP twice – once with LA and once with Milwaukee. The Big O won a single title, but that Alcindor guy was the MVP.
6. A player must have been "The Man" on his best teams. When you think of the 90's Bulls, the Showtime Lakers, or the 80's Celtics – those teams were personified by one player. This is where Kareem drops out. As great as he was at both ends of the floor, he needed Oscar and he needed Magic to get him over. Magic was the man on Kareem's best teams. If Russell was the player-coach, that probably qualifies you as "The Man."

So, as our committee considers these and other factors, we conclude that Jordan, Magic and Bird seem to be the only worthy members of their club – that's why it's named for them. Could there be additions in the future? Reconsiderations of past players? That remains to be seen, as the committee receives new documentation or video evidence.

Players can also be nominated to the committee by outside sources. All applications are reviewed in a timely fashion, and the committee does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed or national origin.

We ask that Mr. T. Duncan, Mr. K. Bryant and Mr. L. James continue to submit their applications, and we will notify them of the decision when the committee reconvenes.