Magic Johnson vs. Barry Nelson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Barry Nelson and Magic Johnson that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

Magic Johnson

vs.

Barry Nelson

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Magic Johnson: 1979-80 to 1995-96
Barry Nelson: 1971-72 to 1971-72

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Magic Johnson 5 Barry Nelson 0

NBA Seasons Magic Johnson 13 Barry Nelson 1

Playoffs Played Magic Johnson 13 Barry Nelson 1

All-Star Games Magic Johnson 12 Barry Nelson 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Magic Johnson 3 Barry Nelson 0

Finals MVP Magic Johnson 3 Barry Nelson 0

All-NBA First Team Magic Johnson 9 Barry Nelson 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Magic Johnson 10 Barry Nelson 0

Assists Leader Magic Johnson 4 Barry Nelson 0

Steals Leader Magic Johnson 2 Barry Nelson 0 *

* Notes: Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 Barry Nelson 1.3

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.2 Barry Nelson 0.7

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 11.2 Barry Nelson 0.3

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.4 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 17,707 Barry Nelson 35

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 6,559 Barry Nelson 20

Total Assists Magic Johnson 10,141 Barry Nelson 7

Total Steals Magic Johnson 1,724 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 374 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 906 Barry Nelson 28

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .520 Barry Nelson .417

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .303 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .848 Barry Nelson .500

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 23.9 (1987) Barry Nelson 1.3 (1972)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 9.6 (1982) Barry Nelson 0.7 (1972)

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 13.1 (1984) Barry Nelson 0.3 (1972)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.4 (1981) Barry Nelson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.7 (1984) Barry Nelson - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 Barry Nelson 0.0

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.7 Barry Nelson 0.5

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 12.3 Barry Nelson 0.5

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.3 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 3,701 Barry Nelson 0

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 1,465 Barry Nelson 1

Total Assists Magic Johnson 2,346 Barry Nelson 1

Total Steals Magic Johnson 358 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 64 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 190 Barry Nelson 2

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .506 Barry Nelson -

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .241 Barry Nelson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .838 Barry Nelson -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 25.2 (1990) Barry Nelson 0.0 (1972)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 13.7 (1981) Barry Nelson 0.5 (1972)

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 15.2 (1985) Barry Nelson 0.5 (1972)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.1 (1980) Barry Nelson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 1.0 (1981) Barry Nelson - n/a **

Notes: ** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.