Magic Johnson vs. Paul Millsap Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Paul Millsap 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

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, 3 less than Paul Millsap, who played 16. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Paul Millsap had his rookie season in 2006-07. 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
Paul Millsap 16 13 2006-07 to 2021-22

Comparison Season by Season

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1979-802006-07
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
-Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz Lost West 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 36.3 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
Paul Millsap 82 18.0 6.8 2.2 2.9 5.2 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.1 2.9 2.5 4.9 .525 0.0 0.0 .333 1.7 2.5 .673
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
Paul Millsap 17 15.5 5.9 2.2 2.2 4.4 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.8 2.3 2.5 4.7 .525 0.0 0.1 .000 0.9 1.4 .667

Season 2

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1980-812007-08
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdJazz Lost West 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 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
Paul Millsap 82 20.8 8.1 2.0 3.6 5.6 1.0 0.9 0.9 1.1 3.3 3.1 6.1 .504 0.0 0.0 .000 1.9 2.8 .677
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
Paul Millsap 12 17.5 6.4 1.9 2.0 3.9 0.3 0.6 1.3 0.8 3.1 2.7 5.2 .516 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 2.1 .520

Season 3

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1981-822008-09
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 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
Paul Millsap 76 30.1 13.5 3.3 5.3 8.6 1.8 1.0 1.0 1.7 3.8 5.3 9.9 .534 0.0 0.1 .000 3.0 4.3 .699
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
Paul Millsap 5 31.0 11.8 4.0 4.0 8.0 1.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 3.4 5.0 9.8 .510 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 3.6 .500

Season 4

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1982-832009-10
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsJazz Lost West 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 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
Paul Millsap 82 27.8 11.6 2.3 4.5 6.8 1.6 0.8 1.2 1.4 3.5 4.7 8.7 .538 0.0 0.1 .111 2.2 3.2 .693
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
Paul Millsap 10 32.3 18.0 3.4 5.4 8.8 2.2 1.1 1.4 1.3 3.6 7.0 12.2 .574 0.0 0.2 .000 4.0 5.8 .690

Season 5

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1983-842010-11
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
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
Paul Millsap 76 34.3 17.3 2.2 5.5 7.6 2.5 1.4 0.9 1.9 3.6 6.9 13.0 .531 0.1 0.3 .391 3.4 4.4 .757
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
Paul Millsap ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1984-852011-12
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 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
Paul Millsap 64 32.8 16.6 2.8 6.0 8.8 2.3 1.8 0.8 1.8 3.5 6.7 13.5 .495 0.1 0.5 .226 3.2 4.0 .792
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
Paul Millsap 4 34.8 12.0 4.3 6.8 11.0 0.5 0.3 2.5 2.3 2.8 5.0 13.5 .370 0.0 0.8 .000 2.0 4.0 .500

Season 7

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1985-862012-13
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 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 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
Paul Millsap 78 30.4 14.6 2.3 4.8 7.1 2.6 1.3 1.0 1.8 3.0 5.5 11.2 .490 0.2 0.5 .333 3.4 4.6 .742
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
Paul Millsap ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1986-872013-14
Team Los Angeles LakersAtlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHawks 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 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
Paul Millsap 74 33.5 17.9 2.1 6.4 8.5 3.1 1.7 1.1 2.5 2.8 6.5 14.1 .461 1.0 2.9 .358 3.9 5.3 .731
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
Paul Millsap 7 38.1 19.4 3.0 7.9 10.9 2.9 1.4 1.9 2.9 3.6 5.9 14.7 .398 1.3 3.9 .333 6.4 8.0 .804

Season 9

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1987-882014-15
Team Los Angeles LakersAtlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHawks 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 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
Paul Millsap 73 32.7 16.7 1.9 5.9 7.8 3.1 1.8 0.9 2.3 2.8 6.1 12.7 .476 1.1 3.0 .356 3.5 4.6 .757
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
Paul Millsap 16 35.4 15.2 2.3 6.4 8.7 3.4 1.6 0.9 2.1 3.3 5.3 13.1 .407 0.9 3.1 .306 3.6 4.9 .744

Season 10

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1988-892015-16
Team Los Angeles LakersAtlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsHawks 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 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
Paul Millsap 81 32.7 17.1 2.4 6.6 9.0 3.3 1.8 1.7 2.4 2.9 6.2 13.2 .470 0.9 2.9 .319 3.8 5.0 .757
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
Paul Millsap 10 36.5 16.7 2.8 6.6 9.4 2.7 1.3 2.3 2.6 2.9 5.9 13.7 .431 0.8 3.3 .242 4.1 5.5 .745

Season 11

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1989-902016-17
Team Los Angeles LakersAtlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisHawks 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 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
Paul Millsap 69 34.0 18.1 1.6 6.1 7.7 3.7 1.3 0.9 2.3 2.7 6.2 14.1 .442 1.1 3.5 .311 4.5 5.9 .768
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
Paul Millsap 6 36.5 24.3 1.5 7.8 9.3 4.3 1.7 0.7 3.8 3.2 8.3 16.5 .505 0.5 2.8 .176 7.2 8.8 .811

Season 12

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1990-912017-18
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
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 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
Paul Millsap 38 30.1 14.6 1.7 4.7 6.4 2.8 1.0 1.2 1.9 2.6 5.3 11.4 .464 1.0 3.0 .345 2.9 4.2 .696
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
Paul Millsap ------- --- ----------

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season 1995-962018-19
Team Los Angeles LakersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdNuggets Lost West 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 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
Paul Millsap 70 27.1 12.6 2.2 5.0 7.2 2.0 1.2 0.8 1.4 2.6 4.6 9.5 .484 0.8 2.3 .365 2.6 3.6 .727
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
Paul Millsap 14 33.5 14.6 1.7 5.0 6.7 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.3 3.4 5.2 11.1 .468 0.9 2.7 .316 3.4 4.4 .770

Season 14

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season -2019-20
Team -Denver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Nuggets Lost West 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 ------- --- ----------
Paul Millsap 51 24.3 11.6 1.9 3.8 5.7 1.6 0.9 0.6 1.4 2.9 4.1 8.6 .482 1.1 2.4 .435 2.3 2.8 .816
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Paul Millsap 19 24.2 8.0 1.4 3.3 4.7 1.2 0.6 0.5 1.3 2.6 2.5 6.2 .398 0.8 2.3 .341 2.3 2.8 .796

Season 15

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season -2020-21
Team -Denver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Nuggets Lost West 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 ------- --- ----------
Paul Millsap 56 20.8 9.0 1.4 3.3 4.7 1.8 0.9 0.6 0.9 2.0 3.4 7.2 .476 0.9 2.6 .343 1.3 1.8 .724
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Paul Millsap 9 12.1 6.4 1.0 2.9 3.9 1.7 0.3 0.7 0.9 1.6 2.4 5.6 .440 0.7 2.6 .261 0.9 1.4 .615

Season 16

Magic Johnson Paul Millsap
Season -2021-22
Team -Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -76ers 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 ------- --- ----------
Paul Millsap 33 11.4 3.5 1.2 2.2 3.5 0.9 0.3 0.4 0.6 2.0 1.4 3.5 .391 0.2 1.1 .229 0.5 0.7 .708
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Paul Millsap 1 6.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -