Magic Johnson vs. Mel Nowell Comparison

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

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

Magic Johnson

vs.

Mel Nowell

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Magic Johnson: 1979-80 to 1995-96
Mel Nowell: 1962-63 to 1962-63

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Magic Johnson 5 Mel Nowell 0

NBA Seasons Magic Johnson 13 Mel Nowell 1

Playoffs Played Magic Johnson 13 Mel Nowell 0

All-Star Games Magic Johnson 12 Mel Nowell 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Magic Johnson 3 Mel Nowell 0

Finals MVP Magic Johnson 3 Mel Nowell 0 *

All-NBA First Team Magic Johnson 9 Mel Nowell 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Magic Johnson 10 Mel Nowell 0

Assists Leader Magic Johnson 4 Mel Nowell 0

Steals Leader Magic Johnson 2 Mel Nowell 0 *

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69. Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 Mel Nowell 5.9

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.2 Mel Nowell 1.7

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 11.2 Mel Nowell 2.2

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.4 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 17,707 Mel Nowell 232

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 6,559 Mel Nowell 67

Total Assists Magic Johnson 10,141 Mel Nowell 84

Total Steals Magic Johnson 1,724 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 374 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 906 Mel Nowell 39

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .520 Mel Nowell .388

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .303 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .848 Mel Nowell .727

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 23.9 (1987) Mel Nowell 5.9 (1963)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 9.6 (1982) Mel Nowell 1.7 (1963)

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 13.1 (1984) Mel Nowell 2.2 (1963)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.4 (1981) Mel Nowell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.7 (1984) Mel Nowell - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 Mel Nowell -

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.7 Mel Nowell -

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 12.3 Mel Nowell -

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.3 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 3,701 Mel Nowell -

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 1,465 Mel Nowell -

Total Assists Magic Johnson 2,346 Mel Nowell -

Total Steals Magic Johnson 358 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 64 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 190 Mel Nowell 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .506 Mel Nowell -

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .241 Mel Nowell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .838 Mel Nowell -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 25.2 (1990) Mel Nowell -

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 13.7 (1981) Mel Nowell -

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 15.2 (1985) Mel Nowell -

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.1 (1980) Mel Nowell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 1.0 (1981) Mel Nowell - n/a **

Notes: ** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.