Magic Johnson vs. Hot Rod Williams Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Hot Rod Williams 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 and Hot Rod Williams both played 13 years in the NBA. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Hot Rod Williams had his rookie season in 1986-87. 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
Hot Rod Williams 13 9 1986-87 to 1998-99

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1979-801986-87
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 80 33.9 14.6 2.8 5.1 7.9 1.9 0.7 2.1 1.7 2.5 5.4 11.2 .485 0.0 0.0 .000 3.7 5.0 .745
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
Hot Rod Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 2
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1980-811987-88
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdCavaliers 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 77 27.4 10.9 2.1 4.5 6.6 1.3 0.8 1.9 1.4 2.6 4.1 8.6 .477 0.0 0.0 .000 2.7 3.6 .756
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
Hot Rod Williams 5 26.6 9.2 2.6 3.2 5.8 0.8 0.6 1.4 0.8 2.6 4.0 8.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 2.6 .462

Season 3
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1981-821988-89
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionCavaliers 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 82 25.9 11.6 2.1 3.7 5.8 1.3 0.9 1.6 1.2 2.3 4.3 8.5 .509 0.0 0.0 .250 2.9 3.8 .748
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
Hot Rod Williams 5 32.2 11.0 1.4 5.4 6.8 2.0 0.4 1.4 2.2 2.4 4.2 9.0 .467 0.0 0.0 - 2.6 3.6 .722

Season 4
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1982-831989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsCavaliers 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 82 33.9 16.8 2.7 5.4 8.1 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.7 2.6 6.4 13.0 .493 0.0 0.0 - 4.0 5.4 .739
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
Hot Rod Williams 5 34.8 19.0 2.8 6.4 9.2 2.2 0.4 1.0 1.4 4.6 7.8 14.0 .557 0.0 0.0 - 3.4 4.4 .773

Season 5
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1983-841990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
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
Hot Rod Williams 43 30.1 11.7 2.6 4.2 6.7 2.3 0.8 1.6 1.5 2.9 4.6 10.0 .463 0.0 0.0 .000 2.5 3.8 .652
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
Hot Rod Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 6
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1984-851991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionCavaliers 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 80 30.4 11.9 2.9 4.7 7.6 2.5 0.8 2.3 1.0 2.4 4.3 8.5 .503 0.0 0.1 .000 3.4 4.5 .752
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
Hot Rod Williams 17 33.4 15.0 2.9 4.7 7.6 2.5 1.4 1.0 1.8 3.4 4.9 9.1 .545 0.0 0.0 - 5.1 6.4 .798

Season 7
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1985-861992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsCavaliers Lost East 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 67 30.7 11.0 1.9 4.3 6.2 2.3 0.7 1.6 1.7 2.6 3.9 8.4 .470 0.0 0.0 - 3.2 4.4 .716
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
Hot Rod Williams 9 26.3 9.0 1.3 3.2 4.6 1.9 0.6 1.6 1.2 2.9 3.3 8.3 .400 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.1 .750

Season 8
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1986-871993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 76 35.0 13.7 2.7 4.8 7.6 2.5 1.0 1.7 1.8 2.9 5.2 10.9 .478 0.0 0.0 - 3.3 4.6 .728
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
Hot Rod Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 9
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1987-881994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionCavaliers 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 74 35.7 12.6 2.3 4.5 6.9 2.6 1.1 1.4 2.0 2.9 4.9 10.9 .452 0.0 0.1 .200 2.6 3.9 .685
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
Hot Rod Williams 4 36.0 6.8 0.8 5.5 6.3 2.8 2.3 0.8 2.5 2.8 3.0 10.5 .286 0.0 0.3 .000 0.8 2.0 .375

Season 10
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1988-891995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 62 26.6 7.3 2.1 3.9 6.0 1.0 0.7 1.5 1.0 2.7 2.9 6.4 .453 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.1 .731
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
Hot Rod Williams 4 28.8 9.0 2.8 3.8 6.5 0.3 0.0 1.8 1.5 4.3 3.5 8.0 .438 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 3.0 .667

Season 11
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1989-901996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisSuns 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
Hot Rod Williams 68 31.4 8.0 2.6 5.6 8.3 1.5 1.0 1.3 1.0 2.6 3.0 6.1 .490 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.9 .672
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
Hot Rod Williams 5 20.6 4.0 2.0 2.6 4.6 0.6 0.4 1.6 1.0 2.4 1.6 3.0 .533 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 2.0 .400

Season 12
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1990-911997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 71 18.8 3.6 1.5 2.9 4.4 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.4 1.9 1.3 2.8 .470 0.0 0.0 - 0.9 1.3 .699
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
Hot Rod Williams 3 11.0 2.0 0.7 0.7 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.7 0.0 2.7 0.7 2.3 .286 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 1.0 .667

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

Season 13
Magic Johnson Hot Rod Williams
Season 1995-961998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdDid 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 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
Hot Rod Williams 25 16.1 1.2 1.4 1.9 3.3 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.5 2.0 0.4 1.3 .333 0.0 0.0 - 0.3 0.4 .700
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
Hot Rod Williams ------- --- ----------
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