How Jason Kidd Compared to Fellow All-Time Great Point Guard Magic Johnson

Comparison between NBA legends Jason Kidd and Magic Johnson, exploring the striking similarities and differences that defined their illustrious careers.

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When Jason Kidd was still playing for the New Jersey Nets, he was often compared to the legendary Earvin “Magic” Johnson. That is an honor for any point guard but it was special for Kidd because he always looked up to the iconic Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

These comparisons kept popping up throughout Kidd’s career because they were both bigger point guards who could make amazing plays out of nowhere. Magic’s teammate and Kidd’s former head coach Byron Scott weighed in with his opinion back in 2003.

“I've always said that the biggest difference between these two guys is five inches. That's about it. Earvin was 6'9", Jason is 6'4," Scott said in a 2003 interview. “Both of them are extremely quick with the ball. Jason, obviously, is probably quicker as far as getting up and down the floor, but their vision on the basketball court is uncanny.”

Amazing playmakers

Both Kidd and Magic were amazing playmakers during their heyday, and they both ended up in the top 10 for assists. Kidd finished with 12,091 assists in his 19-year career while Magic racked up 10,141 assists during his 13-year stint. 

Despite the six-year difference, Magic had similar numbers which amplified why he’s considered the best point guard to play the game.

Yet, Kidd's impressive statistics warrant recognition, as he stood among the league's elite point guards for nearly two decades, reaching MVP-level performance during his prime years with the New Jersey Nets and guiding the team to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003.

J-Kidd's admiration for Magic is clear, stemming from their comparable playstyles. Both excel at bringing up the ball, leveraging their size advantage to post up against smaller opponents. This approach enables them to showcase excellent vision, creating opportunities for teammates in strategic positions.

Kidd matches up well with Magic

In terms of maximizing his teammates, the Nets playmaker was nearly on the same level as Johnson. The current Dallas Mavericks head coach had plenty of teammates praising him for helping them succeed in the NBA. One of those teammates is Richard Jefferson who has hailed Kidd as one of the best passers ever and likened him to Magic himself.

“I know everyone knows Jason Kidd, but for my generation, playing with Jason Kidd is like hearing you're going to play with Magic Johnson,” Jefferson said on Called Game with Kenny Beecham. 

"I almost wrecked my car on the freeway" - Richard Jefferson after hearing he would be playing with Jason Kidd