Magic Johnson vs. Clifford Robinson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Clifford Robinson and Magic Johnson, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Games against each other

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Magic Johnson played 13 years in the NBA, 5 less than Clifford Robinson, who played 18. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Clifford Robinson had his rookie season in 1989-90. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player		 Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Magic Johnson 13 13 1979-80 to 1995-96
Clifford Robinson 18 17 1989-90 to 2006-07

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18

Rookie Season
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1979-801989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionTrail Blazers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 77 36.3 18.0 2.2 5.6 7.7 7.3 2.4 0.5 4.0 2.8 6.5 12.3 .530 0.1 0.4 .226 4.9 6.0 .810
Clifford Robinson 82 19.1 9.1 1.3 2.4 3.8 0.9 0.6 0.6 1.6 2.8 3.6 9.2 .397 0.1 0.5 .273 1.7 3.1 .550
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 16 41.1 18.3 3.3 7.3 10.5 9.4 3.1 0.4 4.1 2.9 6.4 12.4 .518 0.1 0.5 .250 5.3 6.6 .802
Clifford Robinson 21 18.6 6.5 1.5 2.6 4.1 1.1 0.9 1.1 1.2 3.4 2.6 7.2 .358 0.0 0.2 .000 1.4 2.5 .558

Season 2
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1980-811990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdTrail Blazers Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 37 37.1 21.6 2.7 5.9 8.6 8.6 3.4 0.7 3.9 2.7 8.4 15.9 .532 0.1 0.5 .176 4.6 6.1 .760
Clifford Robinson 82 23.7 11.7 1.5 2.8 4.3 1.8 1.0 0.9 1.6 3.2 4.5 9.8 .463 0.1 0.2 .316 2.5 3.8 .653
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 3 42.3 17.0 2.7 11.0 13.7 7.0 2.7 1.0 3.7 4.7 6.3 16.3 .388 0.0 0.0 - 4.3 6.7 .650
Clifford Robinson 16 22.1 10.3 1.5 2.4 3.9 1.1 0.4 1.0 1.6 2.9 3.9 7.3 .538 0.1 0.2 .333 2.4 4.3 .551

Season 3
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1981-821991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionTrail Blazers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 78 38.3 18.6 3.2 6.4 9.6 9.5 2.7 0.4 3.7 2.9 7.1 13.3 .537 0.1 0.4 .207 4.2 5.6 .760
Clifford Robinson 82 25.9 12.4 1.7 3.4 5.1 1.7 1.0 1.3 1.9 3.3 4.9 10.4 .466 0.0 0.1 .091 2.7 4.0 .664
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 14 40.1 17.4 3.9 7.4 11.3 9.3 2.9 0.2 3.1 3.6 5.9 11.2 .529 0.0 0.3 .000 5.5 6.6 .828
Clifford Robinson 21 24.9 10.8 1.2 3.0 4.2 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.3 4.0 4.3 9.4 .462 0.0 0.3 .167 2.1 3.7 .571

Season 4
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1982-831992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsTrail Blazers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 79 36.8 16.8 2.7 5.9 8.6 10.5 2.2 0.6 3.8 2.5 6.5 11.8 .548 0.0 0.3 .000 3.8 4.8 .800
Clifford Robinson 82 31.4 19.1 2.0 4.6 6.6 2.2 1.2 2.0 2.1 3.5 7.7 16.3 .473 0.2 0.9 .247 3.5 5.1 .690
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 15 42.9 17.9 3.4 5.1 8.5 12.8 2.3 0.8 4.3 3.3 6.7 13.7 .485 0.0 0.7 .000 4.5 5.4 .840
Clifford Robinson 4 32.8 10.3 2.5 1.8 4.3 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.0 4.3 4.0 15.3 .262 0.0 0.3 .000 2.3 5.5 .409

Season 5
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1983-841993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsTrail Blazers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 67 38.3 17.6 1.5 5.9 7.3 13.1 2.2 0.7 4.6 2.5 6.6 11.6 .565 0.1 0.4 .207 4.3 5.3 .810
Clifford Robinson 82 34.8 20.1 2.0 4.7 6.7 1.9 1.4 1.4 2.1 3.2 7.8 17.1 .457 0.2 0.6 .245 4.3 5.6 .765
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 21 39.9 18.2 1.2 5.4 6.6 13.5 2.0 1.0 3.8 3.4 7.2 13.0 .551 0.0 0.3 .000 3.8 4.8 .800
Clifford Robinson 4 37.3 16.3 2.8 3.5 6.3 2.5 0.8 1.5 2.8 3.3 7.0 17.0 .412 0.5 2.3 .222 1.8 2.0 .875

Season 6
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1984-851994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionTrail Blazers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 77 36.1 18.3 1.2 5.0 6.2 12.6 1.5 0.3 4.0 2.0 6.5 11.7 .561 0.1 0.5 .189 5.1 6.0 .843
Clifford Robinson 75 36.3 21.3 2.0 3.6 5.6 2.6 1.1 1.1 2.1 3.2 8.0 17.6 .452 1.9 5.1 .371 3.5 5.1 .694
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 19 36.2 17.5 1.0 6.1 7.1 15.2 1.7 0.2 4.0 2.5 6.1 11.9 .513 0.1 0.4 .143 5.3 6.2 .847
Clifford Robinson 3 39.7 15.7 2.3 4.0 6.3 2.7 0.7 0.3 2.7 4.3 5.7 15.7 .362 1.3 5.7 .235 3.0 5.3 .563

Season 7
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1985-861995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsTrail Blazers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 72 35.8 18.8 1.2 4.7 5.9 12.6 1.6 0.2 3.8 1.8 6.7 12.8 .526 0.1 0.6 .233 5.3 6.0 .871
Clifford Robinson 78 38.2 21.1 1.6 4.1 5.7 2.4 1.1 0.9 2.5 3.2 7.1 16.7 .423 2.3 6.0 .378 4.6 6.9 .664
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 14 38.6 21.6 1.5 5.6 7.1 15.1 1.9 0.1 3.2 3.1 7.9 14.6 .537 0.0 0.8 .000 5.9 7.6 .766
Clifford Robinson 5 36.2 15.2 0.8 2.8 3.6 1.6 1.4 1.0 3.2 3.8 4.2 12.2 .344 1.2 4.6 .261 5.6 7.4 .757

Season 8
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1986-871996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionTrail Blazers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 80 36.3 23.9 1.5 4.8 6.3 12.2 1.7 0.5 3.8 2.1 8.5 16.4 .522 0.1 0.5 .205 6.7 7.9 .848
Clifford Robinson 81 38.0 15.1 1.1 2.9 4.0 3.2 1.2 0.8 2.1 3.1 5.5 12.9 .426 1.5 4.3 .346 2.7 3.8 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 18 37.0 21.8 1.6 6.2 7.7 12.2 1.7 0.4 2.8 2.1 8.1 15.1 .539 0.1 0.6 .200 5.4 6.6 .831
Clifford Robinson 4 40.3 12.0 3.0 3.8 6.8 3.0 0.5 1.0 2.5 3.3 4.3 11.8 .362 0.8 4.0 .188 2.8 4.0 .688

Season 9
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1987-881997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 72 36.6 19.6 1.2 5.0 6.2 11.9 1.6 0.2 3.7 2.0 6.8 13.8 .492 0.2 0.8 .196 5.8 6.8 .853
Clifford Robinson 80 29.5 14.2 1.9 3.2 5.1 2.1 1.2 1.1 1.8 3.1 5.4 11.2 .479 0.3 1.1 .321 3.1 4.5 .689
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 24 40.2 19.9 1.3 4.1 5.4 12.6 1.4 0.2 3.5 2.5 7.0 13.7 .514 0.3 0.6 .500 5.5 6.5 .852
Clifford Robinson 4 23.0 6.3 1.5 1.5 3.0 0.8 0.8 0.5 1.3 4.8 2.3 8.3 .273 0.0 0.3 .000 1.8 2.3 .778

Season 10
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1988-891998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSuns Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 77 37.5 22.5 1.4 6.4 7.9 12.8 1.8 0.3 4.1 2.2 7.5 14.8 .509 0.8 2.4 .314 6.7 7.3 .911
Clifford Robinson 50 34.8 16.4 1.4 3.2 4.5 2.6 1.5 1.2 1.8 3.1 6.0 12.6 .475 1.2 2.8 .417 3.3 4.7 .697
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 14 37.0 18.4 1.1 4.9 5.9 11.8 1.9 0.2 3.8 2.1 6.1 12.4 .489 0.7 2.5 .286 5.6 6.1 .907
Clifford Robinson 3 39.0 15.7 2.3 3.0 5.3 2.7 2.0 0.3 2.3 4.0 6.3 13.3 .475 0.7 3.0 .222 2.3 3.7 .636

Season 11
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1989-901999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisSuns Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 79 37.2 22.3 1.6 5.0 6.6 11.5 1.7 0.4 3.7 2.1 6.9 14.4 .480 1.3 3.5 .384 7.2 8.1 .890
Clifford Robinson 80 35.5 18.5 1.3 3.2 4.5 2.8 1.1 0.8 2.1 3.0 6.6 14.3 .464 1.5 4.1 .370 3.7 4.8 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 9 41.8 25.2 1.3 5.0 6.3 12.8 1.2 0.1 4.0 3.1 8.4 17.2 .490 0.6 2.8 .200 7.8 8.8 .886
Clifford Robinson 9 37.0 17.6 2.0 4.0 6.0 2.1 1.2 0.8 2.0 3.9 6.2 16.1 .386 1.4 4.4 .325 3.7 5.0 .733

Season 12
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1990-912000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSuns Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 79 37.1 19.4 1.3 5.6 7.0 12.5 1.3 0.2 4.0 1.9 5.9 12.4 .477 1.0 3.2 .320 6.6 7.3 .906
Clifford Robinson 82 33.5 16.4 1.3 2.8 4.1 2.9 1.1 1.0 2.3 3.1 6.1 14.5 .422 1.1 3.0 .361 3.1 4.4 .709
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 19 43.3 21.8 1.2 6.9 8.1 12.6 1.2 0.0 4.1 2.3 6.2 14.1 .440 1.1 3.7 .296 8.3 9.4 .882
Clifford Robinson 4 28.3 15.0 1.5 2.5 4.0 1.0 1.5 0.5 2.3 3.5 5.3 12.5 .420 1.0 4.0 .250 3.5 5.5 .636

Note: Magic Johnson didn't play in 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95.

Season 13
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season 1995-962001-02
Team Los Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdPistons Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 32 29.9 14.6 1.3 4.5 5.7 6.9 0.8 0.4 3.2 1.5 4.3 9.2 .466 0.7 1.8 .379 5.4 6.3 .856
Clifford Robinson 80 35.7 14.6 1.0 3.8 4.8 2.5 1.1 1.2 1.9 3.0 5.7 13.4 .425 1.4 3.8 .378 1.8 2.6 .694
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 4 33.8 15.3 2.0 6.5 8.5 6.5 0.0 0.0 3.0 0.8 3.8 9.8 .385 0.8 2.3 .333 7.0 8.3 .848
Clifford Robinson 10 40.8 13.2 0.5 2.5 3.0 2.9 1.8 1.9 2.1 2.8 4.5 12.4 .363 1.8 5.3 .340 2.4 3.0 .800

Season 14
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season -2002-03
Team -Detroit Pistons
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pistons Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 81 34.9 12.2 1.0 2.9 3.9 3.3 1.1 1.1 2.0 3.2 4.6 11.5 .398 1.1 3.2 .336 2.0 2.9 .676
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 17 30.8 9.3 0.8 1.9 2.7 2.9 0.9 0.8 1.6 3.6 3.4 9.4 .358 1.3 3.5 .373 1.3 2.2 .595

Season 15
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season -2003-04
Team -Golden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 82 34.7 11.8 0.7 3.3 3.9 3.3 0.8 0.9 2.1 2.9 4.5 11.5 .387 1.4 3.8 .357 1.5 2.1 .711
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson ------- --- ----------

Season 16
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season -2004-05
Team -Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Nets Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 71 23.8 7.5 0.8 2.2 2.9 1.5 0.9 0.7 0.9 2.5 2.8 7.4 .386 0.9 2.7 .347 0.9 1.4 .639
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 4 17.8 7.0 0.5 2.0 2.5 1.3 0.8 0.3 0.0 5.0 2.8 6.8 .407 1.0 3.5 .286 0.5 0.5 1.000

Season 17
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season -2005-06
Team -New Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Nets Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 80 23.3 6.9 0.7 2.7 3.3 1.1 0.6 0.5 0.8 2.6 2.7 6.4 .427 0.8 2.2 .343 0.7 1.0 .658
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 8 24.8 4.5 0.3 3.0 3.3 0.6 1.1 0.4 1.3 3.5 1.6 4.9 .333 0.8 2.4 .316 0.5 0.6 .800

Season 18
Magic Johnson Clifford Robinson
Season -2006-07
Team -New Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Nets Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 50 19.1 4.1 0.6 1.8 2.4 1.0 0.2 0.5 0.6 2.0 1.6 4.4 .372 0.5 1.3 .379 0.3 0.7 .444
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Clifford Robinson 4 5.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.5 .167 0.3 0.5 .500 0.0 0.0 -
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