Magic Johnson vs. Shawn Marion Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Shawn Marion 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

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 Shawn Marion, who played 16. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Shawn Marion had his rookie season in 1999-00. 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
Shawn Marion 16 11 1999-00 to 2014-15

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 Shawn Marion
Season 1979-801999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
-Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns 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 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
Shawn Marion 51 24.7 10.2 2.1 4.5 6.5 1.4 0.7 1.0 1.0 2.2 4.4 9.2 .471 0.1 0.4 .182 1.4 1.7 .847
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
Shawn Marion 9 31.3 9.1 2.3 6.4 8.8 0.8 0.7 1.6 0.8 1.9 4.0 9.6 .419 0.1 0.7 .167 1.0 1.2 .818

Season 2
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1980-812000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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
Shawn Marion 79 36.2 17.3 2.8 7.9 10.7 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.6 2.7 7.1 14.7 .480 0.3 1.0 .256 3.0 3.7 .810
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
Shawn Marion 4 34.8 14.8 2.5 5.8 8.3 0.8 1.5 1.5 1.5 3.3 5.8 15.5 .371 0.3 0.3 1.000 3.0 3.5 .857

Season 3
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1981-822001-02
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
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
Shawn Marion 81 38.4 19.1 2.6 7.3 9.9 2.0 1.8 1.1 1.8 2.6 8.1 17.2 .469 0.6 1.5 .393 2.4 2.8 .845
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
Shawn Marion ------- --- ----------

Season 4
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1982-832002-03
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement 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 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
Shawn Marion 81 41.6 21.2 2.5 7.1 9.5 2.4 2.3 1.2 1.9 2.6 8.2 18.1 .452 1.7 4.5 .387 3.1 3.6 .851
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
Shawn Marion 6 47.2 18.5 3.5 8.2 11.7 2.0 1.8 1.8 2.2 2.8 6.7 17.8 .374 1.5 4.7 .321 3.7 4.3 .846

Season 5
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1983-842003-04
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
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 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
Shawn Marion 79 40.7 19.0 2.7 6.6 9.3 2.7 2.1 1.3 2.0 2.6 7.5 17.0 .440 1.1 3.4 .340 2.9 3.4 .851
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
Shawn Marion ------- --- ----------

Season 6
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1984-852004-05
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns 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
Shawn Marion 81 38.8 19.4 2.9 8.4 11.3 1.9 2.0 1.5 1.5 2.5 7.6 15.9 .476 1.4 4.2 .334 2.8 3.4 .833
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
Shawn Marion 15 42.3 17.6 3.1 8.7 11.8 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.4 3.1 7.2 14.9 .484 1.2 2.9 .419 2.0 2.6 .769

Season 7
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1985-862005-06
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsSuns 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 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
Shawn Marion 81 40.3 21.8 3.1 8.8 11.8 1.8 2.0 1.7 1.5 2.8 8.8 16.9 .525 1.2 3.6 .331 3.0 3.7 .809
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
Shawn Marion 20 42.5 20.4 2.9 8.8 11.7 1.6 1.9 1.2 1.1 3.3 8.2 16.7 .489 1.1 3.5 .314 3.0 3.4 .881

Season 8
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1986-872006-07
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns 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 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
Shawn Marion 80 37.6 17.5 2.2 7.7 9.8 1.7 2.0 1.5 1.4 2.7 7.0 13.4 .524 1.0 3.2 .317 2.5 3.1 .810
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
Shawn Marion 11 41.4 16.9 2.5 7.9 10.4 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.1 2.5 6.9 13.8 .500 1.1 3.1 .353 2.0 3.0 .667

Season 9
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1987-882007-08
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First 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 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
Shawn Marion 63 36.7 15.4 2.2 8.0 10.2 2.2 2.0 1.3 1.4 2.4 6.3 12.5 .508 1.0 3.1 .333 1.7 2.4 .707
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
Shawn Marion ------- --- ----------

Season 10
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1988-892008-09
Team Los Angeles LakersMiami Heat, Toronto Raptors
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
Shawn Marion 69 35.8 12.9 2.6 5.9 8.5 2.0 1.3 1.0 1.5 1.9 5.5 11.4 .485 0.1 0.8 .189 1.7 2.1 .796
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
Shawn Marion ------- --- ----------

Season 11
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1989-902009-10
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisMavericks 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 37.2 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
Shawn Marion 75 31.8 12.0 2.1 4.3 6.4 1.4 0.9 0.8 1.3 1.9 5.3 10.4 .508 0.0 0.3 .158 1.4 1.9 .755
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
Shawn Marion 6 24.7 8.7 1.2 3.0 4.2 1.0 0.2 0.5 1.3 2.0 4.0 9.8 .407 0.0 0.7 .000 0.7 0.8 .800

Season 12
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1990-912010-11
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA 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 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
Shawn Marion 80 28.2 12.5 2.1 4.8 6.9 1.4 0.9 0.6 1.6 1.8 5.4 10.4 .520 0.1 0.4 .152 1.6 2.1 .768
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
Shawn Marion 21 32.9 11.9 2.2 4.1 6.3 2.1 1.0 0.9 1.7 2.5 5.0 10.7 .467 0.0 0.2 .000 1.9 2.2 .851

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

Season 13
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season 1995-962011-12
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdMavericks 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 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
Shawn Marion 63 30.5 10.6 2.3 5.1 7.4 2.1 1.1 0.6 1.6 1.4 4.6 10.3 .446 0.3 1.1 .294 1.2 1.5 .796
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
Shawn Marion 4 35.0 11.8 2.3 5.8 8.0 1.0 0.3 1.3 2.5 3.5 4.3 10.0 .425 1.0 3.5 .286 2.3 2.5 .900

Season 14
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season -2012-13
Team -Dallas Mavericks
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 ------- --- ----------
Shawn Marion 67 30.0 12.1 2.2 5.7 7.8 2.4 1.1 0.7 1.5 1.7 5.3 10.3 .514 0.3 1.1 .315 1.2 1.5 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Shawn Marion ------- --- ----------

Season 15
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season -2013-14
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Mavericks 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 ------- --- ----------
Shawn Marion 76 31.7 10.4 1.7 4.8 6.5 1.6 1.2 0.5 1.3 1.6 4.5 9.3 .482 0.8 2.1 .358 0.7 0.9 .785
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Shawn Marion 7 27.6 8.4 2.0 3.3 5.3 1.9 0.9 0.1 0.7 1.6 3.4 8.4 .407 0.6 2.6 .222 1.0 1.6 .636

Season 16
Magic Johnson Shawn Marion
Season -2014-15
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Cavaliers 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 ------- --- ----------
Shawn Marion 57 19.3 4.8 1.1 2.4 3.5 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.6 1.0 2.1 4.7 .446 0.2 0.8 .261 0.5 0.6 .765
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Shawn Marion 6 4.2 0.3 0.3 0.7 1.0 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.0 .167 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
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