{"id":374014,"date":"2025-10-29T02:54:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T02:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/374014\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T02:54:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T02:54:11","slug":"lakers-legend-magic-johnson-explains-why-shohei-ohtani-is-like-kobe-bryant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/374014\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers legend Magic Johnson explains why Shohei Ohtani is like Kobe Bryant"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NFL season is in full swing, the NBA<\/a> season has just begun, but all eyes are on the World Series. Shohei Ohtani had an incredible performance in Game 3 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking multiple MLB<\/a> records. And one of the many awed fans in attendance was none other than Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not surprising to see Johnson at Dodgers games; he\u2019s a minority owner. On top of that, he is an LA sporting icon, having brought five NBA championships to the Lakers. Ohtani is the talk of the town at the moment, and he\u2019s on pace to become an even greater legend than Magic. Many try to compare Shohei to other sports legends, but Johnson had a unique pick.<\/p>\n

MORE: Shohei Ohtani makes MLB history with historic World Series Game 3 performance<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the same, other than they didn\u2019t own a country,\u201d Johnson said when asked about Ohtani\u2019s impact compared to other LA legends. \u201cCuz, he owns Japan, right? The same impact, the fans love him, I think it\u2019s more like Kobe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe type of impact he\u2019s made on the field and off the field. He\u2019s a humble young man, and he\u2019s serious about becoming the best baseball player we\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani throws to first for an out against Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Kobe Bryant was an all-time great two-way champion on the Lakers. While he\u2019s not regarded as the NBA GOAT, any conversation about that topic without mentioning Bean is often considered blasphemy by fans. Ohtani is much more of a unicorn on that front, but this can only be considered the highest compliment coming from Johnson.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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SPORTS MEDIA: MLB Network\u2019s Robert Flores\u2019 World Series \u2018travel vlogs\u2019 are content gold<\/a><\/p>\n

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