Dave Cowens vs. Magic Johnson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Magic Johnson and Dave Cowens that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Player comparisons: / /

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Dave Cowens:
1970-71 to 1982-83
Magic Johnson:
1979-80 to 1995-96

NBA Championships and Seasons

Dave Cowens2
Magic Johnson5
Dave Cowens11
Magic Johnson13
Dave Cowens7
Magic Johnson13
Dave Cowens8
Magic Johnson12

Honors and Awards

Dave Cowens1
Magic Johnson3
Dave Cowens0
Magic Johnson3
Dave Cowens0
Magic Johnson9
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Dave Cowens3
Magic Johnson10
Dave Cowens1
Magic Johnson0
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Dave Cowens3
Magic Johnson0
Dave Cowens0
Magic Johnson4
Dave Cowens0 *
Magic Johnson2
Dave Cowens1
Magic Johnson0
* Notes: Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Dave Cowens 17.6
Magic Johnson 19.5

Dave Cowens 13.6
Magic Johnson 7.2

Dave Cowens 3.8
Magic Johnson 11.2

Dave Cowens 1.1
*
Magic Johnson 1.9

Dave Cowens 0.9
*
Magic Johnson 0.4

Totals Stats

Dave Cowens 13,516
Magic Johnson 17,707

Dave Cowens 10,444
Magic Johnson 6,559

Dave Cowens 2,910
Magic Johnson 10,141

Dave Cowens 599
*
Magic Johnson 1,724

Dave Cowens 488
*
Magic Johnson 374

Dave Cowens 766
Magic Johnson 906

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dave Cowens .460
Magic Johnson .520

3-Point Percentage
Dave Cowens .071
*
Magic Johnson .303

Free Throw Percentage
Dave Cowens .783
Magic Johnson .848

Best Season (no game minimum)

Dave Cowens 20.5
(1973)
Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)

Dave Cowens 16.2
(1973)
Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)

Dave Cowens 5.0
(1977)
Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)

Dave Cowens 1.3
(1975)
*
Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)

Dave Cowens 1.3
(1974)
*
Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Dave Cowens 18.9
Magic Johnson 19.5

Dave Cowens 14.4
Magic Johnson 7.7

Dave Cowens 3.7
Magic Johnson 12.3

Dave Cowens 1.2
*
Magic Johnson 1.9

Dave Cowens 0.9
*
Magic Johnson 0.3

Totals Stats

Dave Cowens 1,684
Magic Johnson 3,701

Dave Cowens 1,285
Magic Johnson 1,465

Dave Cowens 333
Magic Johnson 2,346

Dave Cowens 78
*
Magic Johnson 358

Dave Cowens 56
*
Magic Johnson 64

Dave Cowens 89
Magic Johnson 190

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dave Cowens .451
Magic Johnson .506

3-Point Percentage
Dave Cowens .000
*
Magic Johnson .241

Free Throw Percentage
Dave Cowens .744
Magic Johnson .838

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Dave Cowens 21.9
(1973)
Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)

Dave Cowens 16.6
(1973)
Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)

Dave Cowens 4.6
(1976)
Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)

Dave Cowens 1.6
(1975)
*
Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)

Dave Cowens 1.4
(1977)
*
Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)

Notes: * Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.