Magic Johnson vs. Jamal Mashburn Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Jamal Mashburn 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 played 13 years in the NBA, 2 more than Jamal Mashburn, who played 11. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Jamal Mashburn had his rookie season in 1993-94. 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
Jamal Mashburn 11 7 1993-94 to 2003-04

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1979-801993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement 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
Jamal Mashburn 79 36.7 19.2 1.4 3.1 4.5 3.4 1.1 0.2 3.1 2.6 7.1 17.5 .406 1.1 3.8 .284 3.9 5.5 .699
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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1980-811994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
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 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
Jamal Mashburn 80 37.3 24.1 1.5 2.7 4.1 3.7 1.0 0.1 2.9 2.4 8.5 19.6 .436 1.4 4.3 .328 5.6 7.6 .739
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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1981-821995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
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
Jamal Mashburn 18 37.2 23.4 2.1 3.3 5.4 2.8 0.8 0.2 3.1 2.2 8.1 21.3 .379 1.9 5.7 .343 5.4 7.4 .729
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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1982-831996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks, Miami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsHeat 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 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
Jamal Mashburn 69 31.4 11.9 1.0 3.3 4.3 3.0 1.1 0.2 1.7 2.7 4.1 10.8 .385 1.3 4.0 .325 2.3 3.3 .702
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
Jamal Mashburn 17 32.8 10.5 1.3 3.6 4.9 2.1 1.0 0.1 1.8 3.4 3.8 9.9 .387 1.3 3.6 .355 1.5 2.4 .650

Season 5

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1983-841997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsHeat 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 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
Jamal Mashburn 48 36.0 15.1 1.5 3.4 4.9 2.8 0.9 0.3 2.3 2.9 5.2 12.0 .435 0.8 2.5 .303 3.8 4.8 .797
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
Jamal Mashburn 5 25.8 6.2 0.8 3.6 4.4 1.8 0.6 0.2 1.8 4.2 2.4 9.0 .267 0.8 2.2 .364 0.6 0.8 .750

Season 6

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1984-851998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHeat 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 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
Jamal Mashburn 24 35.6 14.8 1.0 5.1 6.1 3.1 0.8 0.1 2.5 2.4 5.6 12.4 .451 0.5 1.3 .433 3.1 4.3 .721
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
Jamal Mashburn 5 30.6 10.0 0.8 1.8 2.6 2.0 0.4 0.0 2.0 2.2 3.8 9.8 .388 1.2 2.8 .429 1.2 1.8 .667

Season 7

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1985-861999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsHeat 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
Jamal Mashburn 76 37.2 17.5 0.8 4.2 5.0 3.9 1.0 0.2 2.4 2.8 6.8 15.2 .445 1.5 3.7 .403 2.4 3.1 .778
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
Jamal Mashburn 10 42.4 17.5 0.9 3.7 4.6 3.2 1.1 0.2 2.4 3.0 6.3 15.7 .401 1.3 3.3 .394 3.6 4.2 .857

Season 8

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1986-872000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersCharlotte Hornets
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHornets 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 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
Jamal Mashburn 76 39.3 20.1 1.2 6.4 7.6 5.4 1.1 0.2 2.8 2.4 7.5 18.3 .413 1.4 3.8 .356 3.7 4.8 .766
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
Jamal Mashburn 10 42.1 24.9 1.8 4.4 6.2 5.7 1.2 0.3 3.0 2.4 8.4 20.8 .404 0.7 2.1 .333 7.4 8.8 .841

Season 9

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1987-882001-02
Team Los Angeles LakersCharlotte Hornets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHornets 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 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
Jamal Mashburn 40 40.0 21.5 0.8 5.3 6.1 4.3 1.1 0.2 2.8 2.0 7.6 18.6 .407 1.0 2.8 .366 5.3 6.0 .876
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
Jamal Mashburn 1 10.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.0 .000 0.0 1.0 .000 0.0 0.0 -

Season 10

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1988-892002-03
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsHornets 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 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
Jamal Mashburn 82 40.5 21.6 0.8 5.3 6.1 5.6 1.0 0.2 2.8 2.4 8.2 19.3 .422 1.5 3.7 .389 3.8 4.5 .848
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
Jamal Mashburn 4 40.5 24.8 0.0 3.5 3.5 5.3 1.0 0.3 2.5 1.0 8.5 19.8 .430 1.5 3.8 .400 6.3 8.8 .714

Season 11

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1989-902003-04
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisDid 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 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
Jamal Mashburn 19 38.4 20.8 1.0 5.2 6.2 2.5 0.7 0.3 1.9 2.2 8.2 20.9 .392 1.0 3.5 .284 3.4 4.2 .813
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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1990-91-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers 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 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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------
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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Jamal Mashburn
Season 1995-96-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers 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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------
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
Jamal Mashburn ------- --- ----------