Trevor Ariza vs. Magic Johnson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Magic Johnson and Trevor Ariza, 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.

Trevor Ariza played 18 years in the NBA, 5 more than Magic Johnson, who played 13. Trevor Ariza had the first of his seasons in 2004-05, while Magic Johnson had his rookie season in 1979-80. 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
Trevor Ariza 18 10 2004-05 to 2021-22
Magic Johnson 13 13 1979-80 to 1995-96

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18

Rookie Season

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2004-051979-80
Team New York KnicksLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 80 17.3 5.9 1.1 1.9 3.0 1.1 0.9 0.2 0.9 1.9 2.2 4.9 .442 0.0 0.2 .231 1.5 2.2 .695
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
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

Season 2

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2005-061980-81
Team New York Knicks, Orlando MagicLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Steals Leader
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers 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 %
Trevor Ariza 57 17.5 4.6 1.4 2.5 3.8 1.1 1.0 0.2 1.1 1.8 1.6 4.0 .412 0.0 0.1 .200 1.4 2.2 .606
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
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

Season 3

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2006-071981-82
Team Orlando MagicLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Magic Lost East Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 57 22.4 8.9 1.7 2.6 4.4 1.1 1.0 0.3 1.5 2.4 3.5 6.5 .539 0.0 0.1 .000 1.9 3.0 .620
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 4 11.8 2.8 1.3 1.0 2.3 1.3 0.3 0.0 1.0 2.3 1.3 4.0 .313 0.0 0.0 - 0.3 1.0 .250
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

Season 4

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2007-081982-83
Team Orlando Magic, Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 35 15.6 5.5 0.9 2.2 3.1 1.3 0.9 0.3 0.7 1.3 2.0 3.9 .507 0.1 0.5 .278 1.4 2.1 .653
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 8 5.6 2.1 0.4 1.0 1.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.9 1.5 .583 0.1 0.5 .250 0.3 0.5 .500
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

Season 5

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2008-091983-84
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 82 24.4 8.9 1.4 2.9 4.3 1.8 1.7 0.3 1.1 2.0 3.3 7.3 .460 0.7 2.3 .319 1.5 2.1 .710
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 23 31.4 11.3 1.0 3.3 4.2 2.3 1.6 0.4 1.7 3.2 4.0 8.0 .497 1.7 3.7 .476 1.6 2.8 .563
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

Season 6

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2009-101984-85
Team Houston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 72 36.5 14.9 1.1 4.5 5.6 3.8 1.8 0.6 2.2 2.3 5.5 13.9 .394 1.9 5.7 .334 2.1 3.2 .649
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
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

Season 7

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2010-111985-86
Team New Orleans HornetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Hornets Lost West Conf 1st RdLakers 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 %
Trevor Ariza 75 34.7 11.0 0.8 4.6 5.4 2.2 1.6 0.4 1.6 2.4 4.0 10.2 .398 1.1 3.6 .303 1.8 2.6 .701
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 6 40.2 15.5 1.2 5.3 6.5 3.3 1.3 0.5 1.2 2.7 5.8 14.2 .412 1.2 3.5 .333 2.7 3.7 .727
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

Season 8

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2011-121986-87
Team New Orleans HornetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 41 32.9 10.8 1.0 4.2 5.2 3.3 1.7 0.6 1.9 1.8 4.1 9.8 .417 0.7 2.1 .333 1.9 2.5 .775
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
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

Season 9

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2012-131987-88
Team Washington WizardsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 56 26.3 9.5 0.8 4.0 4.8 2.0 1.3 0.4 1.5 1.3 3.4 8.1 .417 1.4 3.7 .364 1.4 1.7 .821
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
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

Season 10

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2013-141988-89
Team Washington WizardsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Wizards Lost East Conf SemisLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 77 35.4 14.4 1.3 4.9 6.2 2.5 1.6 0.3 1.7 2.3 5.1 11.1 .456 2.3 5.7 .407 1.9 2.5 .772
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 11 37.0 13.6 1.9 7.0 8.9 1.7 1.5 0.4 1.3 2.4 4.7 9.8 .481 2.3 5.1 .446 1.9 2.5 .778
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

Season 11

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2014-151989-90
Team Houston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf FinalsLakers 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 %
Trevor Ariza 82 35.7 12.8 0.9 4.7 5.6 2.5 1.9 0.2 1.7 2.3 4.5 11.1 .402 2.4 6.8 .350 1.5 1.7 .853
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 17 38.5 13.2 1.1 5.4 6.4 2.6 1.8 0.1 1.4 3.0 4.4 10.4 .426 2.1 5.6 .375 2.2 2.5 .905
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

Season 12

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2015-161990-91
Team Houston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 81 35.3 12.7 0.8 3.7 4.5 2.3 2.0 0.3 1.4 2.2 4.4 10.6 .416 2.3 6.2 .371 1.6 2.0 .783
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 5 36.2 6.6 1.4 2.8 4.2 0.8 2.6 0.2 2.4 3.2 2.6 10.2 .255 0.8 5.6 .143 0.6 0.8 .750
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

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

Season 13

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2016-171995-96
Team Houston RocketsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf SemisLakers 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 %
Trevor Ariza 80 34.7 11.7 0.7 5.1 5.7 2.2 1.8 0.3 0.9 1.7 4.1 10.0 .409 2.4 6.9 .344 1.2 1.6 .738
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 11 37.5 10.7 0.7 4.4 5.1 2.1 1.3 0.2 0.8 2.3 3.7 8.8 .423 2.1 5.5 .377 1.2 1.3 .929
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

Season 14

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2017-18-
Team Houston Rockets-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets 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 %
Trevor Ariza 67 33.9 11.7 0.5 3.9 4.4 1.6 1.5 0.2 0.8 2.0 4.0 9.7 .412 2.5 6.9 .368 1.1 1.3 .854
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 17 34.2 8.8 0.5 3.3 3.8 1.3 1.1 0.1 0.6 2.6 2.9 8.2 .360 1.5 5.4 .286 1.4 1.8 .742
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2018-19-
Team Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards-
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 %
Trevor Ariza 69 34.0 12.5 0.7 4.7 5.4 3.7 1.3 0.3 1.5 1.9 4.3 10.7 .399 2.1 6.3 .334 1.9 2.4 .793
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2019-20-
Team Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers-
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 %
Trevor Ariza 53 28.2 8.0 0.6 4.0 4.6 1.7 1.3 0.3 1.1 2.1 2.7 6.1 .438 1.5 3.9 .372 1.2 1.4 .838
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2020-21-
Team Miami Heat-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Heat 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 %
Trevor Ariza 30 28.0 9.4 0.9 3.9 4.8 1.8 1.0 0.6 0.7 1.8 3.3 8.0 .411 1.7 4.8 .350 1.1 1.5 .773
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza 4 24.0 4.8 0.5 5.3 5.8 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.8 2.8 1.8 5.8 .304 1.3 4.3 .294 0.0 0.0 -
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Trevor Ariza Magic Johnson
Season 2021-22-
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 %
Trevor Ariza 24 19.3 4.0 0.4 3.0 3.4 1.1 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.4 4.1 .333 0.8 3.1 .270 0.4 0.8 .556
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Trevor Ariza ------- --- ----------
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------