Magic Johnson vs. Kenyon Martin Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Kenyon Martin 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 / Stats Rankings

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 less than Kenyon Martin, who played 15. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Kenyon Martin had his rookie season in 2000-01. 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
Magic Johnson 13 13 1979-80 to 1995-96
Kenyon Martin 15 11 2000-01 to 2014-15

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

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

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1979-802000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
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 >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+9+2.9+6.0+0.2+0.2+0.3+5.4+1.3+1.2-2.0-1.3+1.4+0.9+.085+0.1+0.2+.135+3.1+3.2+.180
Kenyon Martin 68 33.4 12.0 2.0 5.4 7.4 1.9 1.1 1.7 2.0 4.1 5.1 11.4 .445 0.0 0.2 .091 1.8 2.8 .630
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kenyon Martin DNP------ --- ----------

Season 2

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1980-812001-02
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdNets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+36+2.8+6.7+1.2+2.1+3.3+6.0+2.2+1.0-1.5-0.9+2.3+2.7+.069+0.1+0.4+.048+2.1+2.4+.082
Kenyon Martin 73 34.3 14.9 1.5 3.8 5.3 2.6 1.2 1.7 2.4 3.6 6.1 13.2 .463 0.2 0.9 .224 2.5 3.7 .678
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+17+4.8+0.2+1.2+6.7+7.9+4.1+1.5+0.3-1.1-0.4+0.2+1.1+.036+0.1+0.5+0.5+1.2+.041
Kenyon Martin 20 37.5 16.8 1.5 4.3 5.8 2.9 1.2 1.3 2.6 4.3 6.5 15.2 .424 0.1 0.5 .222 3.8 5.5 .691

Season 3

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1981-822002-03
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+1+4.2+1.9+1.1+0.2+1.3+7.1+1.4+0.5-1.2-0.9+0.5+0.8+.067+0.2+.002+0.9+0.5+.107
Kenyon Martin 77 34.1 16.7 2.1 6.2 8.3 2.4 1.3 0.9 2.5 3.8 6.6 14.1 .470 0.1 0.6 .209 3.3 5.1 .653
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+6+1.3+1.5+1.4+0.5+1.9+6.4+1.4+1.4-0.2-1.0+1.6+5.3+.076+0.1+0.3+.091+1.5+0.9+.135
Kenyon Martin 20 38.8 18.9 2.5 6.9 9.4 2.9 1.5 1.6 2.9 4.6 7.5 16.5 .453 0.1 0.6 .091 4.0 5.7 .693

Season 4

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1982-832003-04
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNets Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+14+2.2+0.1+0.7+1.5+0.9+8.0+0.7+0.7-1.2-1.0+0.3+2.0+.060+0.1+0.1+.280+0.7+0.3+.116
Kenyon Martin 65 34.6 16.7 2.0 7.4 9.5 2.5 1.5 1.3 2.6 3.5 6.8 13.8 .488 0.1 0.4 .280 3.1 4.5 .684
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+4+5.8+1.2+1.1+3.6+2.5+11.7+1.1+0.5-1.4-1.2+0.7+0.1+.048+0.3+0.1+0.4+.090
Kenyon Martin 11 37.1 19.1 2.3 8.7 11.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.9 4.5 7.4 13.8 .533 0.0 0.4 .000 4.4 5.8 .750

Season 5

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1983-842004-05
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+3+5.8+2.1+0.6+0.7+10.7+0.8+0.4-2.5-0.8+0.3+1.4+.075+0.1+0.2+.207+1.5+0.9+.164
Kenyon Martin 70 32.5 15.5 2.1 5.2 7.3 2.4 1.4 1.1 2.1 3.3 6.3 13.0 .490 0.0 0.2 .000 2.8 4.4 .646
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+16+7.1+5.8+0.2+1.2+1.0+12.3+1.0-2.4-1.0+1.8+1.4+.085+0.1+2.2+2.2+.185
Kenyon Martin 5 32.8 12.4 1.4 4.2 5.6 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.4 4.4 5.4 11.6 .466 0.0 0.2 .000 1.6 2.6 .615

Season 6

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1984-852005-06
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+21+8.5+5.4+0.5+0.4+0.1+11.2+0.7+0.6-2.7-1.1+1.2+1.0+.066+0.1+.038+2.9+3.0+.131
Kenyon Martin 56 27.6 12.9 1.7 4.6 6.3 1.4 0.8 0.9 1.3 3.1 5.3 10.7 .495 0.1 0.4 .227 2.2 3.0 .712
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+17+18.7+13.0+2.0+4.6+2.6+14.7+0.3+0.8-2.5+4.1+5.4+.205+0.1+0.4+4.8+5.2+.347
Kenyon Martin 2 17.5 4.5 3.0 1.5 4.5 0.5 2.0 1.0 1.5 2.5 2.0 6.5 .308 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 1.0 .500

Season 7

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1985-862006-07
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+70+4.3+9.3+1.8+2.3+4.1+12.1+1.6+0.2-1.3-3.2+2.7+4.8+.026+0.1+0.1+.233+3.8+.621
Kenyon Martin 2 31.5 9.5 3.0 7.0 10.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 2.5 5.0 4.0 8.0 .500 0.0 0.5 .000 1.5 6.0 .250
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kenyon Martin DNP------ --- ----------

Season 8

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1986-872007-08
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+9+5.9+11.5+0.2+0.2+10.9+0.5+0.7-2.5-1.2+3.2+6.6+.016+0.1+0.3+.023+5.0+4.9+.268
Kenyon Martin 71 30.4 12.4 1.5 5.0 6.5 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.3 3.3 5.3 9.8 .538 0.0 0.2 .182 1.7 3.0 .580
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+14+7.5+13.0+1.7+3.2+1.4+10.9+0.7+0.1-0.5-2.9+4.3+6.6+.098+0.1+0.6+4.1+4.6+.206
Kenyon Martin 4 29.5 8.8 3.3 3.0 6.3 1.3 1.0 0.5 2.3 5.0 3.8 8.5 .441 0.0 0.0 - 1.3 2.0 .625

Season 9

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1987-882008-09
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNuggets Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+6+4.6+7.9+0.2+0.2+9.9+0.1+0.9-2.1-1.0+2.0+4.0+.001+0.2+.172+4.0+3.8+.249
Kenyon Martin 66 32.0 11.7 1.2 4.8 6.0 2.0 1.5 1.1 1.6 3.0 4.8 9.8 .491 0.2 0.6 .368 1.8 3.0 .604
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+8+6.6+9.0+0.2+0.3+0.5+10.5+0.3+0.7-1.9-1.3+2.3+4.3+.017+0.2+0.3+.300+4.1+4.3+.195
Kenyon Martin 16 33.6 10.9 1.5 4.4 5.9 2.1 1.1 0.9 1.6 3.8 4.7 9.4 .497 0.1 0.3 .200 1.4 2.2 .657

Season 10

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1988-892009-10
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+19+3.3+11.0+1.0+0.6+1.5+10.9+0.6+0.8-2.5-1.0+2.6+4.1+.053+0.7+1.9+.038+5.1+4.4+.354
Kenyon Martin 58 34.2 11.5 2.4 7.0 9.4 1.9 1.2 1.1 1.6 3.2 4.9 10.7 .456 0.1 0.5 .276 1.6 2.9 .557
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+8+2.8+8.4+1.2+1.1+2.4+10.5+0.4+1.0-2.0-2.4+2.1+4.1+.009+0.7+2.3+.286+3.6+2.9+.275
Kenyon Martin 6 34.2 10.0 2.3 6.0 8.3 1.3 1.5 1.2 1.8 4.5 4.0 8.3 .480 0.0 0.2 .000 2.0 3.2 .632

Season 11

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1989-902010-11
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game MVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+31+11.5+13.7+0.2+0.2+0.4+9.2+0.8+0.3-2.5-0.7+3.0+6.9+.031+1.3+3.3+.162+6.3+6.6+.307
Kenyon Martin 48 25.7 8.6 1.4 4.8 6.2 2.3 0.9 0.7 1.2 2.8 3.9 7.5 .511 0.0 0.2 .222 0.9 1.5 .583
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+4+12.2+13.4+0.1+1.6+1.5+11.2+0.8+0.3-2.6-0.5+3.6+7.2+.010+0.6+2.8+5.6+5.2+.275
Kenyon Martin 5 29.6 11.8 1.2 6.6 7.8 1.6 0.4 0.4 1.4 3.6 4.8 10.0 .480 0.0 0.0 - 2.2 3.6 .611

Season 12

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1990-912011-12
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsClippers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+37+14.7+14.2+0.1+2.5+2.7+12.1+0.3+0.8-3.2-0.6+3.6+7.2+.036+0.9+2.9+.089+6.1+6.0+.536
Kenyon Martin 42 22.4 5.2 1.2 3.1 4.3 0.4 1.0 1.0 0.8 2.5 2.3 5.2 .441 0.1 0.3 .231 0.5 1.3 .370
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+8+25.8+17.3+0.2+4.7+4.9+12.3+0.8+1.7-3.7-1.0+4.2+10.3+.084+1.1+3.7+7.8+8.7+.257
Kenyon Martin 11 17.5 4.5 1.0 2.2 3.2 0.3 0.4 1.7 0.4 3.3 2.0 3.8 .524 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 0.7 .625

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Kenyon Martin
Season 1995-962012-13
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdKnicks Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
13th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+14+6.0+7.4+0.6+1.1+0.4+6.5+0.1+0.5-2.3-2.1+1.2+4.0+.136+0.7+1.8+4.5+4.1+.431
Kenyon Martin 18 23.9 7.2 1.9 3.4 5.3 0.4 0.9 0.9 0.9 3.6 3.1 5.2 .602 0.0 0.0 - 0.9 2.2 .425
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+8+12.7+9.5+0.7+3.3+4.0+5.6+0.8+1.4-2.3-2.7+1.4+5.6+.195+0.8+2.3+6.1+6.6+.298
Kenyon Martin 12 21.1 5.8 1.3 3.2 4.5 0.9 0.8 1.4 0.7 3.5 2.4 4.2 .580 0.0 0.0 - 0.9 1.7 .550

Additional Years

* Kenyon Martin played 2 seasons more than Magic Johnson in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 14 to 15, from 2014 to 2015—Kenyon Martin didn't play in the postseason.