With ‘The Last Dance’ documentary bringing back Chicago Bulls fandom and 1990s nostalgia, one of the hot topics in basketball today is the supposed superiority of the past eras from the current era.

It’s a long-running debate that will continue to go on for years, and while most are saying that few would survive the brash defensive styles of the past, one legend believes there’s at least a handful of them.

Magic Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers legend, regarded as the greatest point guard of all-time, was a guest on SportsCenter this week, and got posed with the burning question from Stephen A. Smith:

Here’s who made Magic’s list: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It’s a good list, and Magic even noted that James and Durant are automatic choices. He also praised the latter’s scoring ability, claiming that Durant can “score in any era.”

How can LeBron and KD not be in such a group? They are two of the best players over the last decade, and each has shown consistent high level of play in all those years.

Skill-wise, there’s too much firepower on various facets of the game. James can pretty much do everything and he can power his way through the basket whenever he pleases. Durant, meanwhile, is an insane scorer who’s elite at every offensive attack – slashing, outside shooting, mid-range, low post, high post, etc.

We can also throw the same enthusiasm on the other three. Curry is arguably the greatest shooter ever, Davis is a two-way big man who has offensive skillset of an athletic guard, and Antetokounmpo, like James, is a physical specimen, only much crazier – be it size, reach, built, speed, or athleticism.

Who should be on the list?

You’re probably thinking, “Where’s Kawhi Leonard?” I did too.

He should most definitely be in there, but it doesn’t really matter because countless of guys belong in such a list. James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic etc. There’s a parade of players today that’s worthy of a mention.

In fact, it’s ridiculous to claim that any of today’s stars would fade out in the ‘80s or ‘90s. It’s not to say or guarantee that they would have the same success, but the game and skillsets have developed so much. The training is more advanced and the teams’ overall strategy is just more scientific.

There’s no good reason to assume Superstar A and Superstar B will suddenly shrink with a different set of defenders, especially since the preceding eras had the illegal defense rule in place, which is perfect for the Durants, and Jameses of the world, a.k.a players who thrive on one-on-one situations.

I’ll leave you with Jay Bilas’s take: