The Best Backcourt of the Last 20 Years: Bulls vs. Lakers
Michael vs. MagicThe same question that determined the heated semifinal matchup between the ‘89-90 Pistons and the ‘92-93 Bulls backcourts will also decide the finals. Just how good was Michael Jordan? Though he’d gotten pushed around by the Bad Boys when they faced off in the late ’80’s, he was a smarter, more complete player during that ‘92-93 season.
But he and B.J. Armstrong are going against the top one-seed in this tourney in the finals, the ‘88-89 Lakers whose numbers are so flat-out stupid that some of us were doubled over laughing when we first checked them out for the seeding. Magic Johnson’s 22.5 points and 12.8 assists per game is plain wrong.
One of our favorite quotes from this last NBA season was when the Warriors and Hornets played at ORACLE and Chris Paul was giving Baron Davis fits so badly that the GS play-by-play guy called CP3, “the point guard version of Michael Jordan.” CP3 went on to put up 21.1 points and 11.6 assists last season. Magic’s numbers were even dirtier.
Here are the official results from the semi’s. Argue your hearts out below.
Oscar Robertson Bracket
1. ’89-90 Detroit Pistons – (32 votes)
Isiah Thomas
Joe Dumars
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls – (41 votes)
B.J. Armstrong
Michael Jordan
Bob Cousy Bracket
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers – (63 votes)
Magic Johnson
Byron Scott
vs.
3. ’88-89 Portland Trailbalzers – (7 votes)
Terry Porter
Clyde Drexler
The Final
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls Won Finals vs. Phoenix
B.J. Armstrong – 12.3 ppg, 1008 pts, 49.9% FG, 62 3PM, 44.6% 3FG, 1.8 rpg, 4.0 apg
Michael Jordan – 32.6 ppg, 2541 pts, 49.5% FG, 81 3PM, 35.2% 3FG, 6.7 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.8 spg
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers – Lost Finals vs. Detroit
Magic Johnson – 22.5 ppg, 1730 pts, 50.9% FG, 59 3PM, 31.4% 3FG, 7.9 rpg, 12.8 apg, 1.8 spg
Byron Scott – 19.6 ppg, 1448 pts, 49.1% FG, 77 3PM, 39.9% 3FG, 4.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg
September 18th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Patrick says:
I really think it does just come down to Jordan being unstoppable in 92-93 as well as shutting the opposition down. Even though the numbers don’t really show it I think BJ was as good as Byron Scott. Scott’s amazing numbers were just a byproduct of playing with Magic.
Jordan
September 18th, 2008 at 10:45 am
JA says:
In a 2-on-2 game, I’d have to go w/ the Bulls.
In a team game – too close to call, but since in the 88-89 season the Lakers lost to the Pistons (the same backcourt of the team the Bulls just knocked out of this tournament), wouldn’t you have to go with the Bulls there too?
September 18th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Michorizo says:
I have to go with BJ … I can say no to a BJ.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Prof. TX says:
I think some blind Jordan-love is what got the Bulls here. It’s like saying that any front court with Kareem will always be the best in history, even with a weak PF. You have to look at the other pieces of the team too, and Armstrong is no legend.
I’m picking the Lakers here, and am kinda disappointed that more people don’t know how rough Thomas and Dumars were. Joe really could play good defense on Jordan (even Mike admitted it) and Isiah is better than BJ.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Sam I Am says:
Lakers
Lakers
Lakers
Lakers
Does that count as 4 votes?
September 18th, 2008 at 11:07 am
heartbreaker85 says:
it’s not just about the jordan love folks.
bj vs scott would probably be in favor of scott.
mj vs magic? mj. simply because mj, in that season, will shut anyone down. magic cant guard jack shit. he’s awesome offensively, but it amazes me that no one noticed how bad he was defensively.
the only reason he got a free pass on that one was he played PG and was taller than his rivals. other than that, he couldnt even guard pippen.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Jim says:
Lakers
September 18th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Ian says:
wow
the jordan biased
how did he beat a backcourt that usually wooped his ass
amazing
now hes goin up against the best
i think bj wasnt his name is prob a nick jordan gave him
this is lakers all the way
prof tx
u r right
wilt and anywhite boy would be the best frontcourt ever
or
timmeh with rasho or muhammed for that matter
patrick did u really say that
bj is on par with scott really??????????????????
hey dime
start the best front court ever so i can see longley and rodman beating robinson and duncan or hakeem and ralph
September 18th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Big V says:
Lake Show.
I’m also surprised that Mike got past Thomas and Dumars.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Korady says:
How do assists play in here? Yeah, Magic could pass, but a 2 on 2 games is a whole different dynamic then 5 on 5. So with that in mind, I couldn’t pick against Jordan. He could take anyone one on one and if the other guy wants to help, BJ was a sniper from 3. Not saying it couldn’t have been close. Magic and Scott could theoretically pull out a tight win in that game, but Jordan and Armstrong could theoretically win convincingly if this game were to actually take place
September 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
justice says:
jordan was a different player in 92-93 than he was in 88-89 when detroit gave him problems..for christ sake the man averaged 32 ppg and shot 50% wtf that’s insane and somehow still got 6 rpg, and 5apg…that jordan would demolish anyone he was unstoppable off the dribble and he finally got his jumper to the point where it was automatic..how the f do u stop that mike? did u see what he did to drexler who was probably the best perimeter defender at the time?
i love magic but ahhh can’t go against 92-93 mj no matter what
September 18th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Ian says:
korady justice
i understand your logic but remember
since this shit is within a team concept dont u think that three scrubs with jordan and bj would lose to the same three scrubs with scott and magic. magic can get those scrubs easy shots and get them more involved in a team game than jordan
think about that
September 18th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Kingsley says:
Michael Jordan & BJ Armstrong
September 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am
caribball says:
Lakers!
September 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am
odi says:
lakers
@comment 12
true
September 18th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Sam I Am says:
Jordan and his gayness status better not win this rigged election
boooooo Go lakers
September 18th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Sal says:
LAKERS
September 18th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Mr. TKO says:
Based on what number 12 said, That makes the most sense to me so I’ll have to go with Showtime.
But it doesn’t really matter since this is Jordan he’s gonna get a free pass
September 18th, 2008 at 11:52 am
LD says:
The Magic Man and B Scott
September 18th, 2008 at 11:52 am
changster says:
lake show
September 18th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Lanfeas says:
People are insane.
LAKERS.
There’s no way the Bulls could guard both Scott and Magic. As great as Jordan is, I think people are forgetting how much Magic and Scott dominated in the mid-late 80s. They made the finals almost every year in the 80s and if it weren’t for injuries to the players at question here (Magic and Scott) in the 1989 finals, they would have taken that most likely.
September 18th, 2008 at 11:58 am
justice says:
@Ian
Yeah good point magic can get the ball to the scrubs in better position, but also take into account that magic would have trouble guarding me while i was in calvin klien wingtips…and it’s not like mj didn’t make his teammates better maybe not as much as magic did, but guys that played with mj had really defined roles and played the best ball of their career because of him.
here’s a kicker if u gave mj that same lakers team from 91-92 and 92-93 do they win win a chip? i think so
September 18th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Smooth says:
2. ’92-93 Chicago Bulls
B.J. Armstrong
Michael Jordan
September 18th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
88uy says:
bj & mj 92-93
September 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
heeyy says:
92-93 mj & bj all day baby
September 18th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
ERIC says:
MJ/BJ
September 18th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Richard from Cleveland says:
I’ll say mj & bj jus like I said before u can’t bet against jordan
September 18th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
TWolves Convert says:
Has to be the Lakers when in the team concept. 2 on 2 and Jordan would make things very interesting.
Magic having more rebounds than MJ from the PG spot. Sick.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
rodnets says:
Jordan & BJ
September 18th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Sam I Am says:
@ Justice…
“here’s a kicker if u gave mj that same lakers team from 91-92 and 92-93 do they win win a chip? i think so”
umm how do you think they got that good ??
They got Magic, case closed !
September 18th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
justice says:
look at some of the supporting cast of the 2 team those years..
james worthy
ac.green
michael cooper
kareem abdul jabbar
mychal thompson
orlando woolridge
it would have been impossible to double anyone with that kind of cast…
bulls important personel
scottie pippen
horace grant
john paxson
scott williams
bill cartwright
stacey king
trent tucker
and a bunch of other ungodly characters there is no use in naming..now how easy would bill cartwright and will perdue make the game for the perimeter players Mj, and Bj..and opposed to kareem,and Green?
September 18th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
T Dubbs says:
Magic and Scott.
BJ is the weakest link on defense…
September 18th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
loc says:
1. ’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers
—–
I don’t vote for Mike for ANY reason,
plus… BJ Armstrong??? no.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Celts Fan says:
Lakers. The gap between MJ and Magic is pretty close (all time, I have MJ #1, Magic #2) and Byron is better than BJ, pretty clearly to me anyway. Lakers take it.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Market Creator says:
Bulls
September 18th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Quedas says:
First, the Michael Jordan jealousy is off charts in this forum. It was absurd how close it got against Isaiah and Dumars (even though they were great).
The key here is BJ – he is weaker that Scott to a bigger degree than Jordan is better than Magic.
But… this is 2 on 2 – Magic’s game was all about spreading the floor and fast-break – there is none of that in a 2 on 2.
So, in this environment, given these characteristics:
Gotta give it to Jordan & BJ
September 18th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
DO says:
jordan/armstrong over johnson/scott.
if the bulls beat the pistons backcourt of 88-89, than there’s no way they lose to the lakers.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Dagomar says:
Man tough to say, tough to say.
Jordan in his absolute prime was the best player ever to pick up a basketball. Magic Johnson was the best PG in history. Jordan could slow Magic a bit, but the Bulls needed Pippin to really stop Johnson, because of Johnson’s size. Magic couldn’t do shit to Jordan though. Both B.J. Armstrong and Byron Scott were very efficient sidekicks. I’d give Jordan the edge over Magic and Scott the edge over Armstrong . . . .
Give me the Bulls backcourt.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Diego says:
Lakers. This should not even be close. We’re talking backcourt not best player. Why bother even listing BJ? He simply was not very good. (Ask whatever team he played for after the Bulls.)
September 18th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
nate says:
lakers
September 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
MC3 says:
MJ/BJ in a close one.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Meica says:
I think JA (comment #2 has a great point about the match-ups), but as far as my vote goes, I’d have to say MJ and BJ.
While Magic’s numbers are just unwordly, he didn’t tally those up playing two on two. The Lakers had nearly a complete team and I think that’s evidenced by Magic’s performance. What the Lakers lack in this battle of the back courts is a dominant scorer. While Magic was clearly capable of taking over a game he’s always been a facilitator first. Jordan, on the other hand, is the dominant player, the go-to guy and we all know what he’s capable of doing. As far as any arguements concerning BJ v. Scott, well yeah Scott could probably shut BJ down, but I honestly don’t think he would get the chance considering how you would have to double MJ as soon as he stepped any where near the paint which would leave BJ open for jumper after jumper. So, there you go, Bulls: best back-court ever. Hell, let’s be real: Michael Jordan the best back-court ever.
As for those who think the Bulls have gotten too much Jordan love, don’t hate me, I picked the Pistons over the Bulls last round, and I would have picked the Pistons over the Lakers. If you ask me, a backcourt does not get any better than Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Meica says:
—> Diego
BJ Armstrong had the best three point field goal percentage of 92-93 and was voted a starter to the 94 All Star Game so don’t say he wasn’t very good because he was.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
raf says:
mj and bj
September 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
it aint easy bein green says:
get your mouths offa mj’s cock, were lookin at the backcourt duo and that is 2 out of 5, not 2 on 2 . im a die hard celtics fan. i hate purple gold w/ a passion, yet still, this one gotta go to the lake-show.
-im out like magic and scott will unrightfully but most likely be.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
king ralf says:
If it´s a 2on2 i´d go with Jordan, but it´s close. In 5on5 it´s lakers all the way, u can´t stop jordan but any1 else.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
me says:
Why is everyone putting MJ against Magic? if it’s 2 on 2, Magic is gaurding Armstrong. Scott gaurds MJ. Scott does a lot better on MJ than Armstrong does defending Magic in the post. MJ helps double and Scott hits the three. It’s Magic! He wins, no matter who you put him up against. MJ was the best player ever, but Armstrong sucked. He was just the lucky stiff who they signed to fill in at PG.
It’s too bad that most of you really don’t remember how good Magic was!
September 18th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
boogeybanger says:
bj armstrong couldn’t guard a safe. that’s why after chicago he had a quick stop somewhere before disappearing into oblivion
September 18th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Ian says:
shit everyone here that is voting for jordan is playing this shit 2 on 2
ITS NOT PEOPLE make up another excuse to vote for his gayness
justice u give magic jordans team and they also win not only that everyone on the team would love to play with magic unlike jordan
mr tko
thank u
this isnt even a close thing scott magic and 3 scrubs vs jordan and 4 scrubs pleaseeee
bj is the worst player of all the backcourts mentioned in the tournament
meica
u crazy
when u play next to someone like jordan ull get votes look at tmac he could retire and all of china would still vote him to start the allstar game
lets wait an see what happens to yi when he gets in the ballot
so please lets no take something done with fan voting (like this thing here) an use it as an argument to say someone is good
like i said the only excuse jordan voters are posting is playin 2 on 2 and what magic would do to poor bj is not close to what jordan might do to scott.
September 18th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Sam I Am says:
PREACH IAN
BOOO JORDAN’s Team…His gatorade squad would drown in Magic’s limelight
September 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Daniel says:
Jordan & Armstrong
September 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Top_Gun says:
One of your favourite quotes is “the point guard version of Michael Jordan.” Are you serious ??
September 18th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
justice says:
@Ian
think about what ur saying, who in there right mind wouldn’t want to play with jordan? Any basketball player that says that doesnt want to win because that’s all that happened he won a whole lot…
u guys are talking as if jordan didn’t actually beat magic in the nba finals with a bunch of assclowns we won’t remember… am i missing something? the point is micheal jordan and 4 mentally disabled kids have a chance, vice versa for magic but it seems like people are trying to imply that magic is more of a winner than mj and that’s b.s!!! magic 5 rings,playing with multiple hall of famers..Jordan 6 playing with 2 hall of famers(rodman,pip).
Even Magic himself says mike is the greatest ever what more do u want…
September 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
justice says:
and why would bj guard magic? who would match up like that dude is 6-2..stop with the dumb shytt, mj would guard magic, would he stop him no, but would he give magic hell..Yes the times in the finals when he was picking magic up full court, that ended showtime right there that moment..it would be a tight game imo but with mike being the most clutch athlete ever he gets the nod
September 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
C-Penn says:
Jordan & Armstrong
92/93 Jordan was an unstoppable killing machine.
Forget the stats, 90’s Jordan didn’t lose to anybody. Dude won titles running with Bill Cartright & John Paxson. Later on, Luc Longley & Bill Wennington. Unreal. Unstoppable in isolation. Through you, over you, it didn’t matter. And then he’d shut you down on the other end.
Unreal…
September 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Sam I Am says:
Magic is a humble man…
That is why he is the best EVER!!!!
Jordan is a gambling crack addict who gambled on KWAME BROWN…
That’s why he should NEVER be voted for.
LOL
September 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
bigdoggchad says:
Da Bulls!
September 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Ian says:
justice what are u sayin
did i said something about a winner???????
no so wtf u talking about
its a fukin fact that not all of jordans teammates liked him
and everyone love played with magic because of what he does on the floor (same reason everyone liked kidd)
i know u kinda young but that finals showed the young bulls with 2 superstars vs the old lakers with magic and divac so pleaseeee if u r tryin to say that was an upset. leave it cuz it wasnt.
u want to talk winner fine jordan had the best cast of the 90s magic won since day one in a tougher league
let me tell u that jordans first chip came when the pistons lakers and celts were old and separated. coincidence????
September 18th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
moose23 says:
Jordan and BJ
September 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Sam I Am says:
DAMN IAN
Spittin FIRE !!!
GO LAKERS and screw Jordan…
LOL He got Gatorade, but I’m sippin on that HATERADE!!!
September 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Sam I Am says:
Magic / Scott
September 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Ian says:
no one says they are the best ever fool
maybe wilt would
and jordan guarded magic in the finals let me educate u on that pippen guarded magic
c penn lol why not mention kukoc pippen grant kerr harper
rodman
September 18th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Ian says:
and u tell me to stop the dumb shit then whos guardin scott bj?? lol hes still getting destoyed like the little bitch he is
September 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Ian says:
hey c penn
duncan won with perdue and king
shaq won with jacobson and celestang
hakeem won with jent and riley
and i can go only wrtiting champions and their scrubs
September 18th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Big Sia says:
Lakeshow
look at those fucking stats….
EIGHT BOARDS
September 18th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
justice says:
@Ian
im not saying mike wasnt a dyck but i wouldn’t give a phuck if him being a dyck kept me in the league and got me rings,and that’s 90% of the bulls players
hey dude the lakers were the favorites they had homecourt for christ sakes…magic had a better supporting cast than jordan throughout his career that’s not even up for discussion…and yes pippen was the primary defender on magic but jordan guarded him also, check the film they picked him up 3/4 court…
ur homerism is blinding u..magic has repeatedly said Mike was the greatest why is that shocking? because u like someone doesn’t mean all honesty goes out the window wtf…it’s not mikes fault he was born in 63 wtf so he should give his rings back because he got them when isiah and magic were older? Give mike his just due what else do u want from him? he did it all and he accomplished it on both ends of the floor, there are no chinks in his armor except for 45 and the wizards.. stop the hate…
September 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
w says:
Wow… Most of the people going for mj and bj gotta be kind of young.
If it was 2 on 2 i could see the arguement being made for them. But within the team concept Magic makes everyone so much better its ridiculous. Jordan is without a doubt a better one on one player, but Magic got everyone involved in the game. the little things that players contribute when they feel like it matters is huge. Oh, and someone else said the difference between jordan and magic is less than the difference between scott an bj.
Lakers wouldnt be close if people got up off jordans balls.
September 18th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Blue says:
The Lakers baby!
that’s just an angelino’s bias though probably. scott is much stronger than bj, and same with magic over mj. mj WOULD have his way, don’t get me wrong, but scott would shut down BJ and the lakers would find a way to put points on the board. i don’t know if mj could defend magic in the post.
but that’s probably the hometown boy in me talking.
September 18th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Ian says:
justice
the hateeeeee
im a lakers hater lol
i dont care for jordan no hate no love nothing
i dont have to see film of a finals a saw man
u ask jordan whos the greatest he wont say himself bird wouldnt say himself
only wilt would
u missed my point but W pointed it out again magic makes everyone better so scrubs would contribute more on a magic team than a jordan team if u think otherwise u have to take off the jordan goggles. your post only only defended mike as a one player it has nothing do to with backcourt
if bj played with the kings in the 90s u wouldnt know his name
W
perfect post
September 18th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ian says:
the only team i hate in the nba are the lakers so i think im talking with sense justice.
September 18th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
justice says:
By the way my vote is for magic & scott don’t get it twisted they were a better backcourt,but in a 2 on 2 if it’s close the 92-93 Mike finds a way to win that guy isn’t normal man lol..it actually cracks me up i think he has the potential to be a serial killer or something, the dude is crazy he wants to win more than anyone in anything iv’e ever seen…he was the best at that time at both ends of the floor,i think that year he night have been d.p.o.y..too if im not mistaken..
magic was magic. and mike and bj were automatic at that time, and yes bj was an all star in 94 he wasnt that bad a player,scott would kill him though..
September 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Sam I Am says:
In all fairness, Magic is and was a great player…
who else could play the 1-5 like he did ?
He makes EVERYONE better, he made his team BETTER
Jordan was better than everyone else but Magic made his team better and elevated them to new heights
Plus Magic was cooler
September 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Ian says:
that is what i voted on justice the better backcourt and mentioned the reason was that bj cant hang with any one of the teams mentioned
September 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Prof. TX says:
92-93 DPOY (and 93-94) was Olajuwon. Jordan got it in 87-88. Payton was the only guard to win it in the 90’s.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Diego says:
@ Meica: If BJ was voted a starter at the ‘94 All Star game, it was because he was popular, not necessarily very good. (Starters are picked by the fans; BJ was popular because he played with MJ; and the Bulls were pretty popular back then.) BJ wasn’t all that good; Byron Scott was pretty good.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
bballinca says:
Lakers!!!
Hell drop Scott off the team and put Cooper in his place and the whooping would be even worse.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
marcus the great says:
lol its funny readin yall dudes get so heated over this
jordan will not lose
September 18th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Marcel P. says:
Magic and Byron get my vote…Scott was an underrated player and Magic was a beast that year. Jordan is the G.O.A.T., but the dropoff between him and Magic is less then you may think and Scott easily takes out B.J. The Bulls duo gives you a little more defense, I will admit that.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Sam I Am says:
MARCUS you are a square
Bama of the week week week week
September 18th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
wowzers says:
LAKERS. michael and magic are a wash, but scott was clearly better than armstrong
September 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Sam I Am says:
DIME check these Bulls posts / votes for the same IP address
September 18th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
J Tok says:
Lakers
September 18th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
kennypayne says:
Stats of magic 22ppg and 12 assist a game? someone needs to get lebron some magic game footish in his prime! Lebron has always been hyped as the next jordan type. his game could be the next magic johnson if he was forced to play the point. the guy would be unstoppable and could easily get a more adequate 2 guard than point guard to play the point (which is the situation cleveland’s been stuck at) I always thought when he came into the league that’s what they were gonna do, but someone’s gotta market him
September 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Heaven Is A Playground says:
Why are people saying Jordan didn’t make his team better. Yes, Jordan is the best one on one player of all time. However, he can made shitty players like Will Perdue, Judd Bushler, Randy Brown, Bill Winnington, and Luc Longly look pretty damn good, not all at once, but these scubbs had their games where they shined because of Jordan. If Jordan can make these guys look pretty good some games, think about what he could do with a guy like BJ Armstrong. Yes, Jordan brought the best out of BJ, but BJ also made it possible to bring is game level up a notch by listening to Jordan. BJ was a good defender, and shot very well, and played decend under pressure. He also got under peoples skin by trashing talking other PGs in the league. BJ and MJ were a nasty combo in 90s, and yes I was in my teen years when I watching these two play. I was old enough to watch Jordan and young BJ go up against the 89-90 pistons, too.
September 18th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
vinny says:
BULLS!
September 18th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
sans says:
Lakers…they’ve got a big size advantage and I don’t remember Magic being that awful on D as some people say. I see Magic putting in a lot of work on the block, regardless who guards him.
September 18th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
JCUB says:
It should be Jordan and Ron Harper… not BJ.
Harper was taller, better defensively and got basically the same stats as BJ.
Its hard to pick a point to go with MJ cause MJ and Pippen did most of the actual point guard work. Maybe we should consider MJ and Pippen as the best backcourt?
September 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Simon says:
If it’s a 2 on 2 game, Jordan and BJ. If it’s a game, do they have the others from the team that year? Or is it who can make the best out of the same group of players?
I am just going to go with Bulls overall, and you know what, I am Jordan biased because that was my childhood and why I still love ball today!
September 18th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
D-NICE says:
His Airness would lock up Magic and then proceed to drop MAJOR BUCKETS while BJ hits a trey or 2
September 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
PD says:
I grew up HATING the Lakers and Magic, and still hate the Kobe lead Lakers. That being said, I will say it again: BJ Armstrong in the best backcourt of the last 20 years? No freeking way! I am going to call the MJ and Magic match up a close win for MJ but Byron Scott takes BJ any day.
Although, I am putting in a protest vote and say that the Bad Boys backcourt would have won against either of these 2 at least 50% of the time if not more!
Bad Boys gets my 1st vote but in this match up, I will go with the Lakers.
September 18th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
junior says:
Jordan wins
September 18th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Tim says:
Still no way Bulls beat Pistons
2 Hall of Fame players beats 1 in my opinion….
Especially with Joe D guarding Jordan…Pistons would of won easily.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
heartbreaker85 says:
is anyone forgetting that magic never played D? how the hell do you expect him to stop mj? with scott? please.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
heartbreaker85 says:
@ 87
exactly!
DIME started the bibby-peja argument, despite the fact that peja was a small forward by position, sg by role.
well, PIPPEN was the designated play-caller during the dynasty. all phil jackson really wanted from a point guard was a guy who could bring the ball up just in case, and drill threes. that’s all. but PIP was the man calling plays outside of mj’s one on five game.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
solomon says:
its awfully close… but im going with the MJ led duo… no matter how much either byron or magic will abuse BJ…
September 18th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
BrickLayer says:
Da Bulls
September 18th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
USA < International all stars says:
LOL at jordan and bj barely beating Stockton and Hornaceck, and then beating dumars and zeke?!?! LOL get a life.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:07 am
jay says:
Michael “G.O.A.T.” Jordan and B.J. “Babyface” Armstrong
September 19th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Yucca Man says:
I hope DIME dismisses every vote for MJ & BJ that has a rationale that they would win a 2-on-2. Can’t anyone read? Here’s the criteria, as defined by DIME:
“We’re taking a snapshot of each backcourt, evaluating them based upon the player that they were that season. THOUGH IT’S NOT A TWO-ON-TWO COMPETITION, it’s important to look at these duo’s as pairs. How good were both guys that year? WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A TEAM GAME, how dominant were they?”
Please, everyone. If you were building a basketball team, would anyone honestly hand-pick a back court with BJ Armstrong? Yes, MJ was amazing, but not THAT much more amazing than Magic.
Heck, under DIME’s rules, there are several backcourts I’d take over MJ & BJ:
Thomas & Dumars
Magic & Scott
Drexler & Porter
And I’d think really hard about possibly Parker/Ginobli or Stockton/Hornacek.
For all 5 of these backcourts, both players were primary catalysts for their championship or near-championship runs.
The Bulls were all about Jordan and Pippen, but unfortunately Pippen’s not in the backcourt we’re talking about. I can’t imagine a team built primarily around MJ and BJ being all that great. Honestly, can any of you?
If I had to put the fortunes of my team squarely on the shoulders of any backcourt in the past 20 years, I would pick Isaiah & Dumars. Since they’ve somehow been eliminated, I have to go with Magic & Scott.
And it’s not even close.
September 19th, 2008 at 3:12 am
re says:
Jordan & Armstrong
September 19th, 2008 at 3:14 am
QQ says:
MJ\BJ
No one can beat MJ when it involves a basketball. Maybe in a3-pt shootout only
September 19th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Fatz says:
Michael Jordan never lose. Lucky BJ…. Sorry Lakers.
September 19th, 2008 at 3:39 am
Jamaal says:
Magic n Byron would wreck on MJ n BJ, Lakers all the way
September 19th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Cortez says:
THE GREATEST over the Magic Man any day…
Jordan’s will to win is just too strong.
September 19th, 2008 at 5:49 am
S-SiN says:
MJ & BJ all day. every day.
@dime
u’re not gonna count the multiple votes coming from one viewer are u?
September 19th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Sam I Am says:
I get the last vote and it should be
1.
’88-89 Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
Byron Scott
September 19th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
JSN says:
Lakers…
I bet most of the people voting for jordan are teenagers and in their ealy 20s…
The only reason jordan got so smart was because he played (and lost) in the greatest era. The 90s didn’t have as many dominant teams, it was more of an overall weakness than bulls greatness… anyways…
Lakes over bulls.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
JSN says:
if jordan wins… then I guess this was a popularity contest… not a match
September 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Ian says:
yucca
u ro so fuking right
everone says noone beats jordan like if this shit is 2 on 2
the bulls shouldnt have gotten over the spurs backcourt this is a joke
jsn
i have always said that jordan dominated the weakest era of the nba
and u know whats funny how some jordans fan talk about jordan destroying magic lol
children please those two are on the same level
top 5 ever
September 19th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Ian says:
hey dime
we did a poll once (dont remember where) which was based on all time teams
the final four were
lakers
shaq
kareem
worthy
kobe
magic
vs
spurs
admiral
duncan
gervin
manu
parker
the east side
boston
russell
mchale
bird
pierce
cousy
philly
wilt
moses
sir charles
dr j
iverson
i dont remember the bench but the jordan biased was on full effect on that poll that the bulls alltime team almost beat that philly team
btw
lakers beat the spurs and dont remember who won the east but the lakers won in the end
the point is that u guys should come up with the 16 best teams all time and do brackets for them
September 19th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Bee says:
lakers
September 19th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Amar says:
L A K E R S
September 19th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Market Creator says:
BJ didn’t start until 93-94. Pax started in 92-93.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
sean says:
AND now here are YOUR CHICAGO BUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTT
Lakers are da best backcourt tandem. No doubt. But in a match up of teams, Bulls woulda won. I don’t care how many post Iania does. it wouldn’t happen. Vote Magic n Scott.
September 20th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Big Ael says:
He is a cool man. we all love him. there are so many fans of him. and they set up the groups related to stars. you can even check out his sexy and beautiful photos, videos and blogs on the tall dating site:___tallloving.com___ for hot tall singles to hook up for Hot Love and Sexy Dating.
September 21st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
KT says:
MJ is the GOAT. But the best backcourt is the LAKERS.
September 21st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Heaven Is A Playground says:
MJ is worth two hall of fame players and than some. Is my opinion of jordan’s greatness too much for some of you, if so I don’t care. Jordan would take a BJ Armstrong and go to war with him, and they would win on the strength of jordan’s will too win. The man will not lose on the court, however, off-court is a different story. I hope jordan starts to make some smart moves in office because right now Joe D is killing him.