Magic Johnson vs. Bob Pettit Comparison

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

Player comparisons: / /

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

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Magic Johnson:
1979-80 to 1995-96
Bob Pettit:
1954-55 to 1964-65

NBA Championships and Seasons

Magic Johnson5
Bob Pettit1
Magic Johnson13
Bob Pettit11
Magic Johnson13
Bob Pettit9
Magic Johnson12
Bob Pettit11

Honors and Awards

Magic Johnson3
Bob Pettit2
*
Magic Johnson3
Bob Pettit0
*
Magic Johnson9
Bob Pettit10
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson10
Bob Pettit11
Magic Johnson0
Bob Pettit2
Magic Johnson0
Bob Pettit1
Magic Johnson4
Bob Pettit0
Magic Johnson2
Bob Pettit0
*
Magic Johnson0
Bob Pettit1
* Notes: Season MVP is awarded since 1955-56.
Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.
Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Bob Pettit 26.4

Magic Johnson 7.2
Bob Pettit 16.2

Magic Johnson 11.2
Bob Pettit 3.0

Magic Johnson 1.9
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 0.4
Bob Pettit -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 17,707
Bob Pettit 20,880

Magic Johnson 6,559
Bob Pettit 12,849

Magic Johnson 10,141
Bob Pettit 2,369

Magic Johnson 1,724
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 374
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 906
Bob Pettit 792

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .520
Bob Pettit .436

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .303
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .848
Bob Pettit .761

Best Season (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)
Bob Pettit 31.1
(1962)

Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)
Bob Pettit 20.3
(1961)

Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)
Bob Pettit 3.7
(1962)

Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)
Bob Pettit -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Bob Pettit 25.5

Magic Johnson 7.7
Bob Pettit 14.8

Magic Johnson 12.3
Bob Pettit 2.7

Magic Johnson 1.9
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 0.3
Bob Pettit -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 3,701
Bob Pettit 2,240

Magic Johnson 1,465
Bob Pettit 1,304

Magic Johnson 2,346
Bob Pettit 241

Magic Johnson 358
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 64
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 190
Bob Pettit 88

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .506
Bob Pettit .418

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .241
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .838
Bob Pettit .774

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)
Bob Pettit 31.8
(1963)

Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)
Bob Pettit 17.6
(1961)

Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)
Bob Pettit 3.7
(1960)

Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)
Bob Pettit -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)
Bob Pettit -

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.