Magic Johnson vs. Rasheed Wallace Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Rasheed Wallace 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, 3 less than Rasheed Wallace, who played 16. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Rasheed Wallace had his rookie season in 1995-96. 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
Rasheed Wallace 16 14 1995-96 to 2012-13

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1979-801995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
-Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
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 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
Rasheed Wallace 65 27.5 10.1 1.4 3.2 4.7 1.3 0.6 0.8 1.6 3.2 4.2 8.7 .487 0.4 1.3 .329 1.2 1.8 .650
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
Rasheed Wallace ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1980-811996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdTrail 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 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
Rasheed Wallace 62 30.5 15.1 2.0 4.8 6.8 1.2 0.8 1.0 1.8 3.2 6.1 11.0 .558 0.1 0.5 .273 2.7 4.3 .638
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
Rasheed Wallace 4 37.3 19.8 2.0 4.0 6.0 1.5 0.5 0.5 1.5 4.3 8.3 14.0 .589 0.5 1.3 .400 2.8 5.0 .550

Season 3

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1981-821997-98
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 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 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
Rasheed Wallace 77 37.6 14.6 1.7 4.5 6.2 2.5 1.0 1.1 2.2 3.5 6.1 11.4 .533 0.1 0.5 .205 2.4 3.6 .662
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
Rasheed Wallace 4 39.5 14.5 1.8 3.0 4.8 2.8 0.5 0.5 1.3 4.0 5.8 11.8 .489 1.0 1.3 .800 2.0 4.0 .500

Season 4

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1982-831998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsTrail 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 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
Rasheed Wallace 49 28.9 12.8 1.2 3.8 4.9 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.6 3.6 4.9 9.7 .508 0.3 0.6 .419 2.7 3.7 .732
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
Rasheed Wallace 13 36.0 14.8 1.3 3.5 4.8 1.5 1.5 0.8 1.2 3.8 5.8 11.2 .514 0.1 0.7 .111 3.2 4.5 .724

Season 5

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1983-841999-00
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 Finals
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
Rasheed Wallace 81 35.1 16.4 1.6 5.4 7.0 1.8 1.1 1.3 1.9 2.7 6.7 12.9 .519 0.1 0.6 .160 2.9 4.1 .704
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
Rasheed Wallace 16 37.9 17.9 1.9 4.5 6.4 1.8 0.9 1.3 1.4 3.3 6.9 14.1 .489 0.5 0.8 .615 3.6 4.7 .773

Season 6

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1984-852000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement 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
Rasheed Wallace 77 38.2 19.2 1.9 5.9 7.8 2.8 1.2 1.8 2.1 2.7 7.7 15.3 .501 0.7 2.1 .321 3.2 4.2 .766
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
Rasheed Wallace 3 42.7 16.7 1.7 6.3 8.0 2.3 0.3 1.0 1.3 3.0 6.3 17.0 .373 1.3 3.7 .364 2.7 4.7 .571

Season 7

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1985-862001-02
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
Rasheed Wallace 79 37.5 19.3 1.7 6.4 8.2 1.9 1.3 1.3 1.7 2.7 7.6 16.3 .469 1.4 4.0 .360 2.5 3.5 .734
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
Rasheed Wallace 3 41.7 25.3 3.3 9.0 12.3 1.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 4.0 9.3 23.0 .406 2.3 5.7 .412 4.3 5.3 .813

Season 8

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1986-872002-03
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
Rasheed Wallace 74 36.3 18.1 1.5 5.9 7.4 2.1 0.9 1.0 1.9 3.0 7.0 14.8 .471 1.5 4.1 .358 2.7 3.7 .735
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
Rasheed Wallace 7 37.1 17.4 1.4 3.7 5.1 2.6 0.6 0.7 0.9 3.7 6.3 13.9 .454 2.0 5.0 .400 2.9 4.0 .714

Season 9

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1987-882003-04
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNBA Champion NBA Champion
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
Rasheed Wallace 68 35.1 16.0 1.5 5.3 6.8 2.3 0.9 1.8 1.8 2.8 6.3 14.3 .436 1.2 3.6 .331 2.3 3.1 .736
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
Rasheed Wallace 23 35.0 13.0 2.0 5.7 7.8 1.6 0.6 2.0 1.9 3.4 5.1 12.4 .413 0.7 3.0 .243 2.0 2.6 .767

Season 10

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1988-892004-05
Team Los Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPistons 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 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
Rasheed Wallace 79 34.0 14.5 2.2 5.9 8.2 1.8 0.8 1.5 1.6 3.0 5.9 13.4 .440 0.9 3.0 .318 1.7 2.5 .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
Rasheed Wallace 25 33.0 13.6 1.6 5.4 6.9 1.3 1.0 1.8 1.5 3.8 5.4 12.4 .439 1.2 3.4 .337 1.6 2.2 .741

Season 11

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1989-902005-06
Team Los Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisPistons 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
Rasheed Wallace 80 34.8 15.1 1.1 5.7 6.8 2.3 1.0 1.6 1.1 2.9 5.7 13.3 .430 1.9 5.4 .357 1.7 2.3 .743
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
Rasheed Wallace 18 34.9 14.1 0.9 5.4 6.3 1.8 0.6 0.8 1.4 3.6 5.3 12.4 .430 1.8 4.4 .405 1.6 3.1 .527

Season 12

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1990-912006-07
Team Los Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPistons 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
Rasheed Wallace 75 32.3 12.3 1.2 6.0 7.2 1.7 1.0 1.6 1.3 3.0 4.8 11.2 .423 1.4 3.9 .351 1.4 1.8 .788
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
Rasheed Wallace 16 35.8 14.3 1.2 6.5 7.7 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.2 4.0 5.4 12.3 .437 1.6 4.5 .347 2.0 2.4 .842

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season 1995-962007-08
Team Los Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdPistons 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 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
Rasheed Wallace 77 30.5 12.7 1.1 5.5 6.6 1.8 1.2 1.7 1.1 2.8 4.9 11.3 .432 1.5 4.1 .356 1.5 1.9 .767
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
Rasheed Wallace 17 34.4 13.2 1.1 5.2 6.4 1.6 1.1 1.9 1.7 3.9 5.1 11.9 .424 1.4 4.4 .320 1.7 2.3 .744

Season 14

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season -2008-09
Team -Detroit Pistons
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pistons 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 ------- --- ----------
Rasheed Wallace 66 32.2 12.0 0.8 6.6 7.4 1.4 0.9 1.3 0.9 3.0 4.6 10.9 .419 1.7 4.8 .354 1.2 1.5 .772
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Rasheed Wallace 4 30.5 6.5 0.5 5.8 6.3 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.8 3.0 2.8 7.5 .367 1.0 2.0 .500 0.0 0.0 -

Season 15

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season -2009-10
Team -Boston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Celtics 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 ------- --- ----------
Rasheed Wallace 79 22.5 9.0 0.5 3.6 4.1 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.8 2.8 3.4 8.2 .409 1.0 3.7 .283 1.2 1.6 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Rasheed Wallace 24 17.1 6.1 0.2 2.8 3.0 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 3.4 2.2 5.2 .416 0.8 2.3 .345 1.0 1.2 .828

Note: Rasheed Wallace didn't play in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Season 16

Magic Johnson Rasheed Wallace
Season -2012-13
Team -New York Knicks
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 ------- --- ----------
Rasheed Wallace 21 14.1 7.0 0.5 3.4 4.0 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.5 1.9 2.6 6.8 .387 1.0 3.3 .319 0.7 1.0 .700
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Rasheed Wallace ------- --- ----------