Magic Johnson vs. Steve Nash Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Steve Nash 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, 5 less than Steve Nash, who played 18. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Steve Nash had his rookie season in 1996-97. 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
Steve Nash 18 12 1996-97 to 2013-14

Comparison Season by Season

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1979-801996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns 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 36.3 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
Steve Nash 65 10.5 3.3 0.2 0.7 1.0 2.1 0.3 0.0 1.0 1.4 1.1 2.7 .423 0.4 0.8 .418 0.6 0.8 .824
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
Steve Nash 4 3.8 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 1.3 0.5 2.3 .222 0.3 1.0 .250 0.0 0.0 -

Season 2

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1980-811997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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 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
Steve Nash 76 21.9 9.1 0.4 1.7 2.1 3.4 0.8 0.1 1.3 1.9 3.5 7.7 .459 1.1 2.6 .415 1.0 1.1 .860
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
Steve Nash 4 12.8 5.5 0.5 2.0 2.5 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.8 1.8 2.0 4.5 .444 0.3 1.3 .200 1.3 2.0 .625

Season 3

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1981-821998-99
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
Steve Nash 40 31.7 7.9 0.8 2.1 2.9 5.5 0.9 0.1 2.1 2.5 2.9 7.9 .363 1.2 3.3 .374 1.0 1.2 .826
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
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1982-831999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
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 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
Steve Nash 56 27.4 8.6 0.6 1.6 2.2 4.9 0.7 0.1 1.8 2.2 3.1 6.5 .477 1.1 2.7 .403 1.3 1.5 .882
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
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 5

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1983-842000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsMavericks 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 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
Steve Nash 70 34.1 15.6 0.7 2.5 3.2 7.3 1.0 0.1 2.9 2.3 5.5 11.3 .487 1.3 3.1 .406 3.3 3.7 .895
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
Steve Nash 10 37.0 13.6 0.6 2.6 3.2 6.4 0.6 0.1 2.5 1.9 4.5 10.8 .417 1.6 3.9 .410 3.0 3.4 .882

Season 6

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1984-852001-02
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionMavericks 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 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
Steve Nash 82 34.6 17.9 0.6 2.5 3.1 7.7 0.6 0.0 2.8 2.0 6.4 13.3 .483 1.9 4.2 .455 3.2 3.6 .887
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
Steve Nash 8 40.5 19.5 0.9 3.1 4.0 8.8 0.5 0.0 3.8 2.5 6.4 14.8 .432 2.5 5.6 .444 4.3 4.4 .971

Season 7

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1985-862002-03
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsMavericks 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 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
Steve Nash 82 33.1 17.7 0.8 2.1 2.9 7.3 1.0 0.1 2.3 1.6 6.3 13.6 .465 1.4 3.3 .413 3.8 4.1 .909
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
Steve Nash 20 36.4 16.1 0.8 2.8 3.5 7.3 0.9 0.1 2.6 2.4 5.8 12.9 .447 1.9 3.8 .487 2.8 3.2 .873

Season 8

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1986-872003-04
Team Los Angeles LakersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionMavericks 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 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
Steve Nash 78 33.5 14.5 0.8 2.2 3.0 8.8 0.9 0.1 2.7 1.8 5.1 10.8 .470 1.3 3.3 .405 2.9 3.2 .916
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
Steve Nash 5 39.2 13.6 1.2 4.0 5.2 9.0 0.8 0.0 2.4 2.8 5.4 14.0 .386 1.2 3.2 .375 1.6 1.8 .889

Season 9

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1987-882004-05
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
Achievement All-NBA First TeamAchievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns 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 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
Steve Nash 75 34.3 15.5 0.8 2.6 3.3 11.5 1.0 0.1 3.3 1.8 5.7 11.4 .502 1.3 2.9 .431 2.8 3.2 .887
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
Steve Nash 15 40.7 23.9 0.6 4.2 4.8 11.3 0.9 0.2 4.7 2.4 9.3 17.9 .520 1.4 3.6 .389 3.8 4.1 .919

Season 10

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1988-892005-06
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVPAchievement Season MVP
Achievement All-NBA First TeamAchievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSuns 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 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
Steve Nash 79 35.4 18.8 0.6 3.6 4.2 10.5 0.8 0.2 3.5 1.5 6.8 13.4 .512 1.9 4.3 .439 3.3 3.5 .921
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
Steve Nash 20 39.9 20.4 0.5 3.2 3.7 10.2 0.4 0.3 3.4 1.9 7.3 14.6 .502 1.6 4.4 .368 4.2 4.6 .912

Season 11

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1989-902006-07
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First TeamAchievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisSuns 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 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
Steve Nash 76 35.3 18.6 0.4 3.1 3.5 11.6 0.8 0.1 3.8 1.5 6.8 12.8 .532 2.1 4.5 .455 2.9 3.3 .899
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
Steve Nash 11 37.5 18.9 0.4 2.8 3.2 13.3 0.4 0.1 4.4 1.9 6.7 14.5 .463 1.7 3.5 .487 3.7 4.2 .891

Season 12

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1990-912007-08
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement 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
Steve Nash 81 34.3 16.9 0.3 3.1 3.5 11.1 0.7 0.1 3.6 1.4 6.0 11.9 .504 2.2 4.7 .470 2.7 3.0 .906
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
Steve Nash 5 36.6 16.2 0.2 2.6 2.8 7.8 0.4 0.2 2.4 2.0 6.4 14.0 .457 1.2 4.0 .300 2.2 2.4 .917

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season 1995-962008-09
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
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
Steve Nash 74 33.6 15.7 0.3 2.8 3.0 9.7 0.7 0.1 3.4 1.5 5.8 11.5 .503 1.5 3.3 .439 2.6 2.8 .933
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
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season -2009-10
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Suns 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 ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 81 32.8 16.5 0.4 2.9 3.3 11.0 0.5 0.1 3.6 1.3 6.2 12.2 .507 1.5 3.6 .426 2.6 2.8 .938
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 16 33.7 17.8 0.4 2.9 3.3 10.1 0.3 0.1 3.8 1.3 6.2 11.9 .518 1.2 3.1 .380 4.2 4.7 .893

Season 15

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season -2010-11
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Assists Leader
Playoffs -Did 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 ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 75 33.3 14.7 0.5 2.9 3.5 11.4 0.6 0.1 3.5 1.2 5.3 10.8 .492 1.1 2.7 .395 3.0 3.3 .912
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season -2011-12
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Did 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 ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 62 31.6 12.5 0.4 2.6 3.0 10.7 0.6 0.1 3.7 0.9 4.8 9.0 .532 0.9 2.3 .390 2.0 2.3 .894
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season -2012-13
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 ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 50 32.5 12.7 0.5 2.3 2.8 6.7 0.6 0.1 2.5 1.4 4.7 9.5 .497 1.1 2.6 .438 2.1 2.3 .922
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 2 30.5 12.5 1.0 1.5 2.5 4.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 1.0 5.0 11.5 .435 0.0 1.5 .000 2.5 2.5 1.000

Season 18

Magic Johnson Steve Nash
Season -2013-14
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did 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 ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 15 20.9 6.8 0.3 1.7 1.9 5.7 0.5 0.1 2.1 1.2 2.4 6.3 .383 0.5 1.6 .333 1.5 1.6 .917
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------