NBA Draft: Ranking the 10 Greatest No. 1 Picks of All-Time

#4 Magic Johnson

Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics - 1985 NBA Finals

The Magic-Bird rivalry was the saving grace for a sports league with declining interest, spectator footfall and television viewership. More importantly, Magic Johnson turned the Lakers into the legendary ball club they are today - this is not an exaggeration in the least bit. Without Magic Johnson, there are no Showtime Lakers, and there is no dynasty to speak of in Los Angeles.

Drafted with the #1 overall pick in 1979, Johnson proceeded to become one of those rare players with an All-Star game appearance in their rookie season. He was even more impactful in the postseason, and remains the only rookie to ever win the Finals MVP - this came on the back of a game 6 in which he subbed in as a center in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Magic has 5 championship wins, 3 regular season MVPs and 3 Finals MVPs. He led the league in assists 4 times, made it to 10 All-NBA teams in 12 years and was an All-Star for every single season of his career - except the one in which he made a short-lived comeback (1995-96). Above all, he is the prototype for the plethora of tall point guards that we see in the league today, and his impact on the game is indelible.