Magic Johnson vs. Derrick McKey Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Derrick McKey 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, 2 less than Derrick McKey, who played 15. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Derrick McKey had his rookie season in 1987-88. 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
Derrick McKey 15 13 1987-88 to 2001-02

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1979-801987-88
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSupersonics 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 36.3 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
Derrick McKey 82 20.8 8.5 1.4 2.6 4.0 1.3 0.9 0.8 1.3 2.9 3.1 6.3 .491 0.1 0.4 .367 2.1 2.7 .772
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
Derrick McKey 5 21.8 12.0 1.4 2.6 4.0 1.6 0.6 1.0 1.0 2.4 4.8 7.6 .632 0.4 1.2 .333 2.0 3.4 .588

Season 2

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1980-811988-89
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdSupersonics 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 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
Derrick McKey 82 34.2 15.9 2.0 3.6 5.7 2.7 1.3 0.9 2.3 3.2 5.9 11.8 .502 0.4 1.1 .337 3.7 4.6 .803
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
Derrick McKey 8 35.8 13.3 2.6 3.9 6.5 2.3 0.8 1.9 2.9 4.1 5.5 11.1 .494 0.1 1.1 .111 2.1 2.6 .810

Season 3

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1981-821989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid 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 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
Derrick McKey 80 34.4 15.7 2.1 4.0 6.1 2.3 1.1 1.0 2.4 3.1 5.9 11.9 .493 0.0 0.3 .130 3.9 5.0 .782
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
Derrick McKey ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1982-831990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSupersonics 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
Derrick McKey 73 34.3 15.3 2.4 3.4 5.8 2.3 1.2 0.8 2.2 3.0 6.0 11.6 .517 0.1 0.3 .211 3.2 3.8 .845
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
Derrick McKey 4 28.5 9.5 1.8 4.0 5.8 2.0 0.8 0.0 1.5 3.3 4.0 7.0 .571 0.0 0.3 .000 1.5 2.8 .545

Season 5

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1983-841991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSupersonics 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 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
Derrick McKey 52 33.8 14.9 1.8 3.3 5.2 2.3 1.2 0.9 2.2 2.7 5.5 11.6 .472 0.4 1.0 .380 3.6 4.3 .847
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
Derrick McKey 9 35.0 16.3 1.9 3.0 4.9 2.7 0.8 1.3 2.4 4.1 5.8 11.0 .525 0.6 1.8 .313 4.2 5.0 .844

Season 6

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1984-851992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSupersonics 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 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
Derrick McKey 77 31.7 13.4 1.6 2.7 4.2 2.6 1.4 0.8 2.0 2.7 5.0 10.1 .496 0.5 1.5 .357 2.9 3.9 .741
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
Derrick McKey 19 34.1 11.3 2.7 2.5 5.2 3.7 0.6 0.9 1.9 2.7 4.4 8.3 .525 0.1 0.3 .400 2.4 3.6 .667

Season 7

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1985-861993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsPacers 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 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
Derrick McKey 76 34.4 12.0 1.7 3.6 5.3 4.3 1.5 0.6 3.0 3.3 4.7 9.3 .500 0.1 0.4 .290 2.5 3.3 .756
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
Derrick McKey 16 36.7 9.7 2.0 4.1 6.1 4.2 1.6 0.6 2.5 3.7 3.6 8.9 .408 0.5 1.5 .333 1.9 2.9 .660

Season 8

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1986-871994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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 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
Derrick McKey 81 34.6 13.3 1.5 3.3 4.9 3.4 1.5 0.6 2.1 3.2 5.1 10.3 .493 0.4 1.1 .360 2.7 3.7 .744
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
Derrick McKey 17 34.8 12.8 1.7 3.1 4.8 3.8 1.0 0.6 2.1 3.8 4.5 10.2 .437 0.6 2.1 .314 3.2 3.6 .871

Season 9

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1987-881995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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 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
Derrick McKey 75 32.5 11.7 1.6 3.2 4.8 3.5 1.1 0.6 1.9 3.3 4.6 9.5 .486 0.2 0.9 .250 2.3 2.9 .769
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
Derrick McKey 5 36.0 12.8 1.6 5.0 6.6 2.0 1.4 0.2 2.8 4.0 4.8 11.4 .421 1.0 2.4 .417 2.2 2.6 .846

Season 10

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1988-891996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsDid 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 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
Derrick McKey 50 29.0 8.0 1.6 3.2 4.8 2.7 0.9 0.6 1.7 2.8 3.0 7.6 .391 0.3 1.2 .259 1.8 2.5 .724
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
Derrick McKey ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1989-901997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisPacers 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 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
Derrick McKey 57 23.1 6.3 1.3 2.4 3.7 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.4 2.7 2.6 5.7 .459 0.1 0.3 .235 1.0 1.4 .714
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
Derrick McKey 15 18.9 4.5 0.5 2.1 2.7 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.7 3.3 1.5 4.6 .333 0.2 0.7 .300 1.2 1.5 .783

Season 12

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1990-911998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers 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 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
Derrick McKey 13 18.8 4.6 1.4 1.8 3.2 1.0 0.9 0.3 0.9 1.8 1.8 4.0 .442 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 1.3 .824
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
Derrick McKey 13 18.8 3.6 1.3 2.0 3.3 1.5 0.9 0.3 0.8 3.1 1.2 3.1 .375 0.0 0.3 .000 1.3 2.0 .654

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season 1995-961999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdPacers 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 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
Derrick McKey 32 19.8 4.3 0.9 3.3 4.2 1.1 0.9 0.4 0.6 2.5 1.3 3.4 .398 0.3 0.7 .435 1.3 1.8 .768
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
Derrick McKey 23 15.3 2.0 1.1 2.3 3.4 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.8 2.0 0.7 1.4 .469 0.0 0.3 .167 0.7 0.9 .800

Season 14

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season -2000-01
Team -Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pacers 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 ------- --- ----------
Derrick McKey 66 15.0 2.2 0.7 1.9 2.7 1.1 0.7 0.2 0.7 2.1 0.9 2.1 .441 0.1 0.3 .200 0.3 0.4 .778
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Derrick McKey 4 8.8 1.5 1.0 1.3 2.3 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 1.8 0.5 1.3 .400 0.3 0.3 1.000 0.3 0.5 .500

Season 15

Magic Johnson Derrick McKey
Season -2001-02
Team -Philadelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -76ers 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 ------- --- ----------
Derrick McKey 41 19.1 2.9 1.2 1.9 3.1 1.1 1.0 0.1 0.5 2.2 1.3 3.0 .426 0.1 0.3 .417 0.2 0.3 .714
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Derrick McKey 4 10.0 2.0 0.8 0.8 1.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.3 1.3 1.0 2.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -