Magic Johnson vs. Lou Williams Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Lou Williams 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, 4 less than Lou Williams, who played 17. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Lou Williams had his rookie season in 2005-06. 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
Lou Williams 17 10 2005-06 to 2021-22

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1979-802005-06
Team Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
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 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
Lou Williams 30 4.8 1.9 0.1 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.8 1.7 .442 0.1 0.3 .222 0.3 0.4 .615
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
Lou Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1980-812006-07
Team Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
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 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
Lou Williams 61 11.3 4.3 0.3 0.9 1.1 1.8 0.4 0.0 0.8 0.7 1.5 3.5 .441 0.2 0.6 .324 1.0 1.5 .696
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
Lou Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1981-822007-08
Team Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA Champion76ers 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 %
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
Lou Williams 80 23.3 11.5 0.5 1.6 2.1 3.2 1.0 0.2 1.6 1.6 4.0 9.4 .424 0.7 1.9 .359 2.8 3.6 .783
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
Lou Williams 6 22.5 12.0 0.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 1.2 1.8 4.0 10.0 .400 0.3 1.5 .222 3.7 5.0 .733

Season 4

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1982-832008-09
Team Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA Finals76ers 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 %
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
Lou Williams 81 23.7 12.8 0.4 1.6 2.0 3.0 1.0 0.2 1.9 1.6 4.1 10.4 .398 0.8 2.7 .286 3.8 4.8 .790
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
Lou Williams 6 24.8 9.7 0.3 2.2 2.5 2.8 0.5 0.2 2.0 1.7 3.5 8.5 .412 1.0 2.7 .375 1.7 2.5 .667

Season 5

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1983-842009-10
Team Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers
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 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
Lou Williams 64 29.9 14.0 0.4 2.5 2.9 4.2 1.3 0.2 1.7 1.7 5.0 10.6 .470 1.1 3.2 .340 3.0 3.6 .824
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
Lou Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1984-852010-11
Team Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA Champion76ers 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 %
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
Lou Williams 75 23.3 13.7 0.4 1.6 2.0 3.4 0.6 0.2 1.4 1.7 4.3 10.6 .406 1.2 3.4 .348 3.9 4.7 .823
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
Lou Williams 5 26.0 10.8 0.0 1.6 1.6 3.0 1.0 0.0 0.8 1.2 3.4 10.4 .327 1.2 4.0 .300 2.8 3.8 .737

Season 7

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1985-862011-12
Team Los Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf Finals76ers Lost East 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 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
Lou Williams 64 26.3 14.9 0.5 2.0 2.4 3.5 0.8 0.3 1.1 1.4 5.0 12.2 .407 1.3 3.6 .362 3.7 4.6 .812
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
Lou Williams 13 27.5 11.5 0.2 1.8 2.1 3.0 1.0 0.0 1.2 1.3 3.8 10.9 .352 0.6 3.7 .167 3.2 4.0 .788

Season 8

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1986-872012-13
Team Los Angeles LakersAtlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists 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 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
Lou Williams 39 28.7 14.1 0.2 1.8 2.1 3.6 1.1 0.3 1.9 1.4 4.8 11.4 .422 1.8 5.0 .367 2.7 3.1 .868
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
Lou Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1987-882013-14
Team Los Angeles LakersAtlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHawks 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 %
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
Lou Williams 60 24.1 10.4 0.2 1.9 2.1 3.5 0.8 0.1 1.5 1.1 3.3 8.2 .400 1.3 3.9 .342 2.5 3.0 .849
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
Lou Williams 7 19.0 8.3 0.0 2.3 2.3 1.1 1.0 0.1 1.9 1.4 2.7 7.1 .380 0.7 2.3 .313 2.1 2.3 .938

Season 10

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1988-892014-15
Team Los Angeles LakersToronto Raptors
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsRaptors 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 %
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
Lou Williams 80 25.2 15.5 0.3 1.6 1.9 2.1 1.1 0.1 1.3 1.3 4.7 11.6 .404 1.9 5.6 .340 4.3 4.9 .861
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
Lou Williams 4 25.5 12.8 0.5 1.3 1.8 1.3 1.5 0.0 0.8 2.3 4.0 12.8 .314 1.0 5.3 .190 3.8 4.5 .833

Season 11

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1989-902015-16
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisDid 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 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
Lou Williams 67 28.5 15.3 0.5 2.1 2.5 2.5 0.9 0.3 1.6 1.6 4.2 10.3 .408 1.6 4.8 .344 5.3 6.3 .830
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
Lou Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1990-912016-17
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsRockets 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 37.1 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
Lou Williams 81 24.6 17.5 0.3 2.2 2.5 3.0 1.0 0.2 2.0 1.1 5.3 12.3 .429 2.0 5.5 .365 5.0 5.6 .880
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
Lou Williams 11 24.7 12.5 0.6 2.1 2.7 1.3 0.6 0.1 1.3 1.5 4.5 10.7 .424 1.1 3.5 .308 2.4 2.6 .897

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

Season 13

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season 1995-962017-18
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
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
Lou Williams 79 32.8 22.6 0.5 2.0 2.5 5.3 1.1 0.2 3.0 1.3 7.4 16.9 .435 2.4 6.6 .359 5.5 6.2 .880
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
Lou Williams ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season -2018-19
Team -Los Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Playoffs -Clippers 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 ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams 75 26.6 20.0 0.5 2.4 3.0 5.4 0.8 0.1 2.4 1.1 6.5 15.2 .425 1.4 3.9 .361 5.7 6.5 .876
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams 6 29.3 21.7 1.0 1.8 2.8 7.7 0.8 0.2 3.0 2.3 7.5 17.3 .433 1.0 3.0 .333 5.7 6.8 .829

Season 15

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season -2019-20
Team -Los Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Clippers 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 ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams 65 28.7 18.2 0.5 2.6 3.1 5.6 0.7 0.2 2.8 1.2 6.0 14.4 .418 1.7 4.8 .352 4.5 5.2 .861
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams 13 26.2 12.8 0.5 2.6 3.2 4.2 0.8 0.2 1.6 1.4 4.8 11.2 .425 0.9 3.9 .235 2.3 2.8 .811

Season 16

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season -2020-21
Team -Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Hawks Lost East 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 ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams 66 21.6 11.3 0.3 1.8 2.1 3.4 0.7 0.1 1.6 0.9 4.0 9.8 .410 1.0 2.6 .399 2.3 2.6 .867
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams 18 15.4 7.7 0.1 1.3 1.4 2.2 0.7 0.1 1.2 0.9 2.8 6.1 .455 0.7 1.7 .433 1.4 1.5 .963

Season 17

Magic Johnson Lou Williams
Season -2021-22
Team -Atlanta Hawks
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 ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams 56 14.3 6.3 0.3 1.3 1.6 1.9 0.5 0.1 0.8 0.9 2.2 5.7 .391 0.7 1.8 .363 1.2 1.4 .859
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Lou Williams ------- --- ----------