Magic Johnson vs. Shawn Kemp Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Shawn Kemp 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 / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings / 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, 1 less than Shawn Kemp, who played 14. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Shawn Kemp had his rookie season in 1989-90. 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
Shawn Kemp 14 10 1989-90 to 2002-03

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

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

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1979-801989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement 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:+4+22.5+11.5+0.4+3.1+3.4+7.0+1.8+0.4-2.7-0.3+4.0+7.1+.051+0.1+0.3+.059+3.5+4.0+.074
Shawn Kemp 81 13.8 6.5 1.8 2.5 4.3 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.3 2.5 2.5 5.2 .479 0.0 0.1 .167 1.4 2.0 .736
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
Shawn Kemp DNP------ --- ----------

Season 2

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1980-811990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdSupersonics 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%
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:+44+7.0+6.6+0.6+0.8+0.2+6.8+2.4+0.8-1.4-1.2+2.7+4.7+.024+0.1+0.4+.009+1.0+0.7+.099
Shawn Kemp 81 30.1 15.0 3.3 5.1 8.4 1.8 1.0 1.5 2.5 3.9 5.7 11.2 .508 0.0 0.1 .167 3.6 5.4 .661
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:+2+12.5+3.8+0.1+6.4+6.5+5.8+2.1+0.2-0.5-0.7+1.9+4.9+.002+0.2+0.1+1.3+.165
Shawn Kemp 5 29.8 13.2 2.6 4.6 7.2 1.2 0.6 0.8 3.2 4.0 4.4 11.4 .386 0.0 0.2 .000 4.4 5.4 .815

Season 3

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1981-821991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSupersonics Lost West Conf Semis
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:+14+10.0+3.1+0.9+0.1+0.8+8.2+1.6+1.5-1.3-1.2+1.4+2.1+.033+0.1+0.4+.012
Shawn Kemp 64 28.3 15.5 4.1 6.3 10.4 1.3 1.1 1.9 2.4 4.1 5.7 11.2 .504 0.0 0.0 - 4.2 5.6 .748
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:+5+2.5+1.3+0.4+0.9+8.9+2.3+1.4-0.1-1.0+0.6+.054+0.3+1.3+2.3+.065
Shawn Kemp 9 37.6 17.4 5.2 7.0 12.2 0.4 0.6 1.6 3.0 4.6 5.3 11.2 .475 0.0 0.0 - 6.8 8.9 .763

Season 4

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1982-831992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSupersonics Lost West Conf 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%
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:+1+3.7+1.0+1.0+1.1+2.1+8.5+0.7+1.3-1.0-1.7+0.1+1.6+.056+0.2+0.8+1.6+.088
Shawn Kemp 78 33.1 17.8 3.7 7.0 10.7 2.0 1.5 1.9 2.8 4.2 6.6 13.4 .492 0.0 0.1 .000 4.6 6.4 .712
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+8.0+1.4+0.8+0.7+1.5+10.2+0.8+1.3-1.5-0.8+0.9+2.4+.027+0.7+0.4+0.7+.031
Shawn Kemp 19 34.9 16.5 4.2 5.8 10.0 2.6 1.5 2.1 2.8 4.1 5.8 11.3 .512 0.0 0.0 - 4.9 6.1 .809

Season 5

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1983-841993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSupersonics 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:+12+5.4+0.5+2.4+0.9+3.5+10.5+0.4+1.4-1.3-1.4+0.1+0.9+.027+0.1+0.3+.043+0.3+0.9+.069
Shawn Kemp 79 32.9 18.1 3.9 6.8 10.8 2.6 1.8 2.1 3.3 3.9 6.7 12.5 .538 0.0 0.1 .250 4.6 6.2 .741
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+1.3+3.4+2.8+0.4+3.2+10.1+1.4-1.0-0.2+2.0+1.0+.180+0.3+0.6+1.8+.133
Shawn Kemp 5 41.2 14.8 4.0 5.8 9.8 3.4 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.6 5.2 14.0 .371 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 6.6 .667

Season 6

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1984-851994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSupersonics 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:+5+3.4+0.4+2.7+2.0+4.7+10.8+0.3+1.2-0.8-2.1+0.1+0.5+.014+0.1+0.4+.097+0.2+1.1+.094
Shawn Kemp 82 32.7 18.7 3.9 7.0 10.9 1.8 1.2 1.5 3.2 4.1 6.6 12.2 .547 0.0 0.1 .286 5.3 7.1 .749
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:+15+3.8+7.3+3.3+1.7+4.9+12.4+0.3+1.6-0.2-1.8+2.2+2.4+.066+0.2+0.1+.857+2.7+3.6+.026
Shawn Kemp 4 40.0 24.8 4.3 7.8 12.0 2.8 2.0 1.8 3.8 4.3 8.3 14.3 .579 0.3 0.3 1.000 8.0 9.8 .821

Season 7

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1985-861995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsSupersonics Lost NBA 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%
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:+7+2.5+0.8+2.3+3.2+5.5+10.4+0.4+1.4-0.2-2.0+0.9+.035+0.4+.184+0.9+2.4+.129
Shawn Kemp 79 33.3 19.6 3.5 7.9 11.4 2.2 1.2 1.6 4.0 3.8 6.7 11.9 .561 0.1 0.2 .417 6.2 8.4 .742
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
difference:+6+2.6+0.7+1.8+1.5+3.3+13.6+0.7+1.9-0.8-1.1+0.5+1.7+.033+0.6+0.3+0.2+.029
Shawn Kemp 20 36.0 20.9 3.3 7.1 10.4 1.5 1.2 2.0 4.0 4.2 7.4 12.9 .570 0.0 0.2 .000 6.2 7.8 .795

Season 8

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1986-871996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
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 ChampionSupersonics Lost West Conf Semis
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:+1+2.3+5.2+1.9+1.8+3.7+10.3+0.2+0.5-0.3-1.9+2.0+3.7+.012+0.1+.159+1.1+0.4+.106
Shawn Kemp 81 34.0 18.7 3.4 6.6 10.0 1.9 1.5 1.0 3.5 4.0 6.5 12.7 .510 0.1 0.4 .364 5.6 7.5 .742
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:+6+0.2+0.2+2.7+1.8+4.6+9.2+0.5+0.9-1.1-2.5+1.0+0.5+.053+0.1+0.2+1.9+2.2+.002
Shawn Kemp 12 36.8 21.6 4.3 8.0 12.3 3.0 1.2 1.3 3.9 4.6 7.1 14.6 .486 0.2 0.8 .200 7.3 8.8 .829

Season 9

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1987-881997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionCavaliers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
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:+8+2.0+1.6+1.5+1.6+3.1+9.4+0.2+0.9-0.3-1.9+0.3+0.8+.047+0.2+0.7+.054+0.7+0.2+.126
Shawn Kemp 80 34.6 18.0 2.7 6.6 9.3 2.5 1.4 1.1 3.4 3.9 6.5 14.6 .445 0.0 0.1 .250 5.1 7.0 .727
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:+20+2.2+6.1+2.7+2.2+4.9+10.6+0.1+0.8-0.5-0.5+1.3+4.1+.049+0.3+0.6+4.0+4.8+.008
Shawn Kemp 4 38.0 26.0 4.0 6.3 10.3 2.0 1.3 1.0 4.0 3.0 8.3 17.8 .465 0.0 0.0 - 9.5 11.3 .844

Season 10

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1988-891998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
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:+35+2.4+2.0+1.7+0.3+1.3+10.4+0.7+0.8-1.1-1.6+0.9+1.1+.027+0.8+2.4+0.6+2.0+.122
Shawn Kemp 42 35.1 20.5 3.1 6.1 9.2 2.4 1.1 1.1 3.0 3.8 6.6 13.7 .482 0.0 0.0 - 7.3 9.3 .789
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
Shawn Kemp DNP------ --- ----------

Season 11

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1989-901999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game MVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
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:+3+6.8+4.5+1.2+1.0+2.2+9.8+0.5+0.8-0.2-2.4+1.0+0.3+.063+1.3+3.4+.051+1.2+0.4+.114
Shawn Kemp 82 30.4 17.8 2.8 6.0 8.8 1.7 1.2 1.2 3.5 4.5 5.9 14.1 .417 0.0 0.1 .333 6.0 7.7 .776
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
Shawn Kemp DNP------ --- ----------

Season 12

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1990-912000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
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:+11+21.2+12.9+0.4+2.7+3.2+11.5+0.6+0.1-2.5-0.8+3.4+6.3+.070+0.9+3.0+.044+5.1+5.4+.135
Shawn Kemp 68 15.9 6.5 0.9 2.9 3.8 1.0 0.7 0.3 1.5 2.7 2.5 6.1 .407 0.1 0.2 .364 1.5 1.9 .771
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
Shawn Kemp DNP------ --- ----------

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Shawn Kemp
Season 1995-962001-02
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdTrail Blazers 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%
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:+43+13.5+8.5+0.1+1.9+1.9+6.2+0.2-2.1-1.0+2.0+3.8+.036+0.7+1.7+.379+4.0+4.6+.062
Shawn Kemp 75 16.4 6.1 1.2 2.6 3.8 0.7 0.6 0.4 1.1 2.5 2.3 5.4 .430 0.0 0.1 .000 1.4 1.7 .794
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:+1+21.8+11.6+1.3+4.5+5.8+6.5+0.3-2.3-1.9+3.1+7.5+.099+0.8+2.3+4.7+5.0+.148
Shawn Kemp 3 12.0 3.7 0.7 2.0 2.7 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.7 2.7 0.7 2.3 .286 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.3 .700

Additional Years

* Shawn Kemp played 1 season more than Magic Johnson in the NBA.

In that period—his season 14 in 2003—Shawn Kemp played in the Playoffs.