Magic Johnson vs. Rik Smits Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Rik Smits 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 / Games against each other

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, 1 more than Rik Smits, who played 12. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Rik Smits had his rookie season in 1988-89. 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
Rik Smits 12 10 1988-89 to 1999-00

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1979-801988-89
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement 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
Rik Smits 82 24.9 11.7 2.3 3.8 6.1 0.9 0.5 1.8 1.6 3.8 4.7 9.1 .517 0.0 0.0 .000 2.2 3.1 .722
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
Rik Smits ------- --- ----------

Season 2
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1980-811989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdPacers 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 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
Rik Smits 82 29.3 15.5 1.6 4.6 6.2 1.7 0.5 2.1 1.7 4.0 6.3 11.8 .533 0.0 0.0 .000 2.9 3.6 .811
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
Rik Smits 3 32.0 12.3 1.3 4.0 5.3 1.0 0.7 1.3 1.7 4.0 4.7 9.3 .500 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 3.7 .818

Season 3
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1981-821990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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
Rik Smits 76 22.2 10.9 1.5 3.2 4.7 1.1 0.3 1.5 1.1 3.2 4.5 9.3 .485 0.0 0.0 - 1.9 2.5 .762
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
Rik Smits 5 17.6 9.8 0.8 2.8 3.6 0.4 0.2 1.4 1.0 4.6 4.2 7.4 .568 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 1.6 .875

Season 4
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1982-831991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers 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
Rik Smits 74 23.9 13.8 1.7 4.0 5.6 1.6 0.4 1.4 1.8 3.1 5.9 11.6 .510 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 2.6 .788
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
Rik Smits 3 9.3 3.3 1.0 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 2.3 1.3 3.7 .364 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 0.7 1.000

Season 5
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1983-841992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers 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 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
Rik Smits 81 25.6 14.3 1.6 3.8 5.3 1.5 0.3 0.9 1.8 3.5 6.1 12.6 .486 0.0 0.0 - 2.1 2.8 .732
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
Rik Smits 4 35.8 22.5 3.3 4.8 8.0 1.8 1.3 1.0 2.0 4.5 9.3 16.0 .578 0.0 0.3 .000 4.0 5.5 .727

Season 6
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1984-851993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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 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
Rik Smits 78 27.1 15.7 1.7 4.5 6.2 2.0 0.6 1.1 1.9 3.6 6.3 11.8 .534 0.0 0.0 .000 3.1 3.8 .793
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
Rik Smits 16 28.1 16.0 1.4 3.8 5.3 1.9 0.6 0.6 2.7 4.0 6.4 13.6 .472 0.0 0.0 - 3.1 3.9 .806

Season 7
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1985-861994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsPacers 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 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
Rik Smits 78 30.5 17.9 2.5 5.2 7.7 1.4 0.5 1.0 2.4 3.6 7.2 13.6 .526 0.0 0.0 .000 3.6 4.8 .753
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
Rik Smits 17 32.1 20.1 1.9 5.1 7.0 2.0 0.3 0.8 2.0 4.3 7.5 13.6 .547 0.1 0.1 1.000 5.1 6.3 .804

Season 8
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1986-871995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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 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
Rik Smits 63 30.2 18.5 1.9 5.0 6.9 1.7 0.3 0.7 2.5 3.6 7.4 14.2 .521 0.0 0.1 .200 3.7 4.7 .788
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
Rik Smits 5 33.2 19.0 2.6 4.8 7.4 1.6 0.4 0.4 2.8 4.0 8.4 15.4 .545 0.0 0.0 - 2.2 2.8 .786

Season 9
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1987-881996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA 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 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
Rik Smits 52 29.2 17.1 2.0 4.9 6.9 1.3 0.4 1.1 2.4 3.4 6.8 14.1 .486 0.0 0.2 .250 3.3 4.2 .797
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
Rik Smits ------- --- ----------

Season 10
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1988-891997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers 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 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
Rik Smits 73 28.6 16.7 1.7 5.2 6.9 1.4 0.5 1.2 1.8 3.3 7.0 14.2 .495 0.0 0.0 .000 2.6 3.3 .783
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
Rik Smits 16 29.8 16.6 1.1 4.3 5.3 1.3 0.5 0.9 1.3 4.2 6.6 13.1 .502 0.0 0.1 .000 3.4 4.0 .859

Season 11
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1989-901998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisPacers 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 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
Rik Smits 49 25.9 14.9 1.5 4.1 5.6 1.1 0.4 1.1 1.5 3.2 6.3 12.9 .490 0.0 0.0 .000 2.2 2.7 .818
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
Rik Smits 13 22.5 11.8 1.2 3.8 5.0 0.7 0.5 1.2 1.9 3.9 5.2 11.3 .456 0.0 0.0 - 1.5 1.5 .950

Season 12
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1990-911999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers Lost NBA Finals
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
Rik Smits 79 23.4 12.9 1.2 3.9 5.1 1.1 0.3 1.3 1.4 3.2 5.5 11.3 .484 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.7 .739
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
Rik Smits 22 20.9 11.0 1.1 2.5 3.5 1.0 0.5 0.9 1.2 3.8 4.7 9.4 .498 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 1.8 .875

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

Season 13
Magic Johnson Rik Smits
Season 1995-96-
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 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
Rik Smits ------- --- ----------
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
Rik Smits ------- --- ----------
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