A.C. Green vs. Magic Johnson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Magic Johnson and A.C. Green, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

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.

A.C. Green played 16 years in the NBA, 3 more than Magic Johnson, who played 13. A.C. Green had the first of his seasons in 1985-86, while Magic Johnson had his rookie season in 1979-80. 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 achievements, 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
A.C. Green 16 13 1985-86 to 2000-01
Magic Johnson 13 13 1979-80 to 1995-96

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13

Rookie Season

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1985-861979-80
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 18.8 6.4 2.0 2.7 4.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 1.2 2.8 2.5 4.7 .539 0.0 0.1 .167 1.2 2.0 .611
difference:+5+17.5+11.6+0.2+2.9+3.1+6.6+1.8+0.1-2.8+4.0+7.6+.009+0.1+0.3+.059+3.7+4.0+.199
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 9 11.8 2.4 0.3 1.4 1.8 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 1.4 1.0 1.9 .529 0.0 0.0 - 0.4 1.0 .444
difference:+7+29.3+15.9+3.0+5.9+8.7+9.4+3.0+0.1-3.7-1.5+5.4+10.5+.011+0.1+0.5+4.9+5.6+.358
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

Season 2

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1986-871980-81
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Steals Leader
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionLakers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 79 28.4 10.8 2.7 5.1 7.8 1.1 0.9 1.0 1.3 2.2 4.0 7.4 .538 0.0 0.1 .000 2.8 3.6 .780
difference:+42+8.7+10.8+0.8+0.8+7.5+2.5+0.3-2.6-0.5+4.4+8.5+.006+0.1+0.4+.176+1.8+2.5+.020
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 18 28.1 11.5 3.0 4.9 7.9 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.9 2.6 3.9 7.2 .546 0.0 0.0 - 3.6 4.8 .747
difference:+15+14.2+5.5+0.3+6.1+5.8+6.4+2.2+0.6-2.8-2.1+2.4+9.1+.158+0.7+1.9+.097
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

Season 3

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1987-881981-82
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 32.1 11.4 3.0 5.7 8.7 1.1 1.1 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.9 7.8 .503 0.0 0.0 - 3.6 4.6 .773
difference:+4+6.2+7.2+0.2+0.7+0.9+8.4+1.6+0.1-2.2-0.4+3.2+5.5+.034+0.1+0.4+0.6+1.0+.013
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 24 30.3 10.0 2.4 4.9 7.3 0.8 0.5 0.5 1.1 2.5 3.8 7.0 .544 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.0 .753
difference:+10+9.8+7.4+1.5+2.5+4.0+8.5+2.4+0.3-2.0-1.1+2.1+4.2+.015+0.3+3.2+3.6+.075
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

Season 4

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1988-891982-83
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 30.6 13.3 3.1 5.9 9.0 1.3 1.1 0.7 1.5 2.1 4.9 9.2 .529 0.0 0.2 .235 3.4 4.4 .786
difference:+3+6.2+3.5+0.4+0.4+9.2+1.1+0.1-2.3-0.4+1.6+2.6+.019+0.1+.235+0.4+0.4+.014
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 15 33.5 10.1 2.5 6.6 9.1 1.2 1.1 0.4 1.5 2.5 3.1 7.6 .412 0.0 0.2 .000 3.9 5.1 .763
difference:+9.4+7.8+0.9+1.5+0.6+11.6+1.2+0.4-2.8-0.8+3.6+6.1+.073+0.5+0.6+0.3+.077
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

Season 5

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1989-901983-84
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 33.0 12.9 3.2 5.5 8.7 1.1 0.8 0.6 1.4 2.5 4.7 9.8 .478 0.2 0.6 .283 3.4 4.5 .751
difference:+15+5.3+4.7+1.7+0.4+1.4+12.0+1.4+0.1-3.2+1.9+1.8+.087+0.1+0.2+.076+0.9+0.8+.059
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 9 28.0 11.8 3.8 5.2 9.0 1.0 0.6 0.4 1.6 2.4 4.6 8.8 .519 0.0 0.0 - 2.7 3.6 .750
difference:+12+11.9+6.4+2.6+0.2+2.4+12.5+1.4+0.6-2.2-1.0+2.6+4.2+.032+0.3+1.1+1.2+.050
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

Season 6

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1990-911984-85
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 26.4 9.1 2.5 3.8 6.3 0.9 0.7 0.3 1.2 1.4 3.1 6.6 .476 0.1 0.7 .200 2.7 3.7 .738
difference:+5+9.7+9.2+1.3+1.2+0.1+11.7+0.8-2.8-0.6+3.4+5.1+.085+0.2+.011+2.4+2.3+.105
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 19 21.1 6.5 2.4 2.9 5.4 0.5 0.6 0.2 1.0 1.9 2.2 5.1 .423 0.2 0.4 .500 2.0 2.8 .704
difference:+15.1+11.0+1.4+3.2+1.7+14.7+1.1-3.0-0.6+3.9+6.8+.090+0.1+.357+3.3+3.4+.143
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

Season 7

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1991-921985-86
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdLakers Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 35.4 13.6 3.7 5.6 9.3 1.4 1.1 0.4 1.4 1.7 4.7 9.8 .476 0.1 0.7 .214 4.1 5.6 .744
difference:+10+0.4+5.2+2.5+0.9+3.4+11.2+0.5+0.2-2.4-0.1+2.0+3.0+.050+0.1+.019+1.2+0.4+.127
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 4 38.3 12.8 3.8 5.3 9.0 1.8 1.8 0.0 1.3 2.5 4.0 9.8 .410 0.0 0.0 - 4.8 5.8 .826
difference:+10+0.3+8.8+2.3+0.3+1.9+13.3+0.1+0.1-1.9-0.6+3.9+4.8+.127+0.8+1.1+1.8+.060
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

Season 8

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1992-931986-87
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 34.4 12.8 3.5 5.2 8.7 1.4 1.1 0.5 1.4 1.8 4.6 8.6 .537 0.2 0.6 .348 3.4 4.6 .739
difference:+2+1.9+11.1+2.0+0.4+2.4+10.8+0.6-2.4-0.3+3.9+7.8+.015+0.1+0.1+.143+3.3+3.3+.109
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 5 44.0 9.8 5.2 9.4 14.6 2.6 1.4 0.6 1.8 2.8 3.6 8.4 .429 0.0 1.0 .000 2.6 4.2 .619
difference:+13+7.0+12.0+3.6+3.2+6.9+9.6+0.3+0.2-1.0-0.7+4.5+6.7+.110+0.1+0.4+.200+2.8+2.4+.212
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

Season 9

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1993-941987-88
Team Phoenix SunsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 34.5 14.7 3.4 5.8 9.2 1.7 0.9 0.5 1.2 1.7 5.7 11.3 .502 0.1 0.4 .229 3.2 4.4 .735
difference:+10+2.1+4.9+2.2+0.8+3.0+10.2+0.7+0.3-2.5-0.3+1.1+2.5+.010+0.1+0.4+.033+2.6+2.4+.118
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 10 35.0 12.5 2.9 5.5 8.4 1.3 1.0 0.2 0.7 2.2 4.0 8.3 .482 0.7 1.7 .412 3.8 6.2 .613
difference:+14+5.2+7.4+1.6+1.4+3.0+11.3+0.4-2.8-0.3+3.0+5.4+.032+0.4+1.1+.088+1.7+0.3+.239
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

Season 10

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1994-951988-89
Team Phoenix SunsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 32.8 11.2 2.4 5.8 8.2 1.5 0.7 0.4 1.4 1.8 3.8 7.5 .504 0.5 1.5 .339 3.1 4.2 .732
difference:+5+4.7+11.3+1.0+0.6+0.3+11.3+1.1+0.1-2.7-0.4+3.7+7.3+.005+0.3+0.9+.025+3.6+3.1+.179
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 10 36.8 12.8 3.8 8.2 12.0 1.3 0.6 0.2 1.0 2.2 3.6 7.8 .462 0.1 1.2 .083 5.5 6.3 .873
difference:+4+0.2+5.6+2.7+3.3+6.1+10.5+1.3-2.8-0.1+2.5+4.6+.027+0.6+1.3+.203+0.1+0.2+.034
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

Season 11

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1995-961989-90
Team Phoenix SunsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game MVP
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf 1st RdLakers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 25.8 7.5 2.0 4.7 6.8 0.9 0.5 0.3 1.0 1.7 2.6 5.4 .484 0.2 0.6 .269 2.0 2.9 .709
difference:+3+11.4+14.8+0.4+0.3+0.2+10.6+1.2+0.1-2.7-0.4+4.3+9.0+.004+1.1+2.9+.115+5.2+5.2+.181
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 4 21.8 4.8 1.5 3.0 4.5 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.5 1.8 1.5 4.3 .353 0.0 0.8 .000 1.8 2.0 .875
difference:+5+20.0+20.4+0.2+2.0+1.8+12.3+0.9+0.1-3.5-1.3+6.9+12.9+.137+0.6+2.0+.200+6.0+6.8+.011
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

Season 12

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1996-971990-91
Team Phoenix Suns, Dallas MavericksLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 83 30.0 7.2 2.7 5.2 7.9 0.8 0.8 0.2 0.9 1.7 2.8 5.8 .483 0.0 0.2 .050 1.5 2.4 .650
difference:+4+7.1+12.2+1.4+0.4+0.9+11.7+0.5-3.1-0.2+3.1+6.6+.006+1.0+3.0+.270+5.1+4.9+.256
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green DNP------ --- ----------
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

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

Season 13

A.C. Green Magic Johnson
Season 1997-981995-96
Team Dallas MavericksLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
13th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green 82 32.3 7.3 2.7 5.5 8.1 1.5 1.0 0.3 0.8 1.9 3.0 6.5 .453 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.0 .716
difference:+50+2.4+7.3+1.4+1.0+2.4+5.4+0.2+0.1-2.4-0.4+1.3+2.7+.013+0.7+1.8+4.0+4.3+.140
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
A.C. Green DNP------ --- ----------
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

Additional Years

* A.C. Green played 3 seasons more than Magic Johnson in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 14 to 16, from 1999 to 2001—A.C. Green played in two Playoffs and won one NBA Championship.