Magic Johnson vs. Scottie Pippen Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Scottie Pippen 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, 4 less than Scottie Pippen, who played 17. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Scottie Pippen had his rookie season in 1987-88. 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
Scottie Pippen 17 16 1987-88 to 2003-04

Comparison Season by Season

Rookie Season
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1979-801987-88
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBulls 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 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
Scottie Pippen 79 20.9 7.9 1.5 2.3 3.8 2.1 1.2 0.7 1.7 2.7 3.3 7.1 .463 0.1 0.3 .174 1.3 2.2 .576
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
Scottie Pippen 10 29.4 10.0 2.4 2.8 5.2 2.4 0.8 0.8 2.6 3.3 4.6 9.9 .465 0.3 0.6 .500 0.5 0.7 .714

Season 2
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1980-811988-89
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdBulls 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 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
Scottie Pippen 73 33.1 14.4 1.9 4.2 6.1 3.5 1.9 0.8 2.7 3.6 5.7 11.9 .476 0.3 1.1 .273 2.8 4.1 .668
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
Scottie Pippen 17 36.4 13.1 2.0 5.6 7.6 3.9 1.4 0.9 2.4 3.7 4.9 10.7 .462 1.3 3.3 .393 1.9 2.9 .640

Season 3
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1981-821989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBulls 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 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
Scottie Pippen 82 38.4 16.5 1.8 4.8 6.7 5.4 2.6 1.2 3.4 3.6 6.9 14.0 .489 0.3 1.4 .250 2.4 3.6 .675
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
Scottie Pippen 15 40.8 19.3 2.2 5.0 7.2 5.5 2.1 1.3 3.3 4.1 6.9 14.0 .495 0.7 2.1 .323 4.7 6.7 .710

Season 4
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1982-831990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
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
Scottie Pippen 82 36.8 17.8 2.0 5.3 7.3 6.2 2.4 1.1 2.8 3.3 7.3 14.1 .520 0.3 0.8 .309 2.9 4.1 .706
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
Scottie Pippen 17 41.4 21.6 2.2 6.7 8.9 5.8 2.5 1.1 3.2 3.4 8.4 16.6 .504 0.2 1.0 .235 4.7 5.9 .792

Season 5
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1983-841991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
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
Scottie Pippen 82 38.6 21.0 2.3 5.4 7.7 7.0 1.9 1.1 3.1 3.0 8.4 16.6 .506 0.2 1.0 .200 4.0 5.3 .760
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
Scottie Pippen 22 40.9 19.5 2.7 6.1 8.8 6.7 1.9 1.1 3.2 3.3 6.9 14.8 .468 0.3 1.1 .250 5.4 7.0 .761

Season 6
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1984-851992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNBA Champion NBA Champion
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
Scottie Pippen 81 38.6 18.6 2.5 5.2 7.7 6.3 2.1 0.9 3.0 2.7 7.8 16.4 .473 0.3 1.1 .237 2.9 4.3 .663
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
Scottie Pippen 19 41.5 20.1 1.9 5.0 6.9 5.6 2.2 0.7 3.7 3.3 8.0 17.2 .465 0.2 0.9 .176 3.9 6.1 .638

Season 7
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1985-861993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First TeamAchievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsBulls 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
Scottie Pippen 72 38.3 22.0 2.4 6.3 8.7 5.6 2.9 0.8 3.2 3.2 8.7 17.8 .491 0.9 2.7 .320 3.8 5.7 .660
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
Scottie Pippen 10 38.4 22.8 1.7 6.6 8.3 4.6 2.4 0.7 3.7 3.3 8.5 19.6 .434 1.2 4.5 .267 4.6 5.2 .885

Season 8
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1986-871994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First TeamAchievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
-Achievement Steals Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBulls 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 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
Scottie Pippen 79 38.2 21.4 2.2 5.9 8.1 5.2 2.9 1.1 3.4 3.0 8.0 16.7 .480 1.4 4.0 .345 4.0 5.6 .716
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
Scottie Pippen 10 39.6 17.8 2.4 6.2 8.6 5.8 1.4 1.0 2.7 4.0 5.8 13.1 .443 1.4 3.8 .368 4.8 7.1 .676

Season 9
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1987-881995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First TeamAchievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNBA Champion NBA Champion
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
Scottie Pippen 77 36.7 19.4 2.0 4.5 6.4 5.9 1.7 0.7 2.7 2.6 7.3 15.8 .463 1.9 5.2 .374 2.9 4.2 .679
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
Scottie Pippen 18 41.2 16.9 3.4 5.1 8.5 5.9 2.6 0.9 2.3 2.8 6.2 15.9 .390 1.7 5.8 .286 2.8 4.4 .638

Season 10
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1988-891996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
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
Scottie Pippen 82 37.7 20.2 2.0 4.5 6.5 5.7 1.9 0.5 2.6 2.6 7.9 16.7 .474 1.9 5.2 .368 2.5 3.5 .701
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
Scottie Pippen 19 39.6 19.2 1.9 4.9 6.8 3.8 1.5 0.9 2.9 2.6 6.8 16.3 .417 2.1 5.9 .345 3.6 4.5 .791

Season 11
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1989-901997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
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
Scottie Pippen 44 37.5 19.1 1.2 4.0 5.2 5.8 1.8 1.0 2.5 2.6 7.2 16.0 .447 1.4 4.4 .318 3.4 4.4 .777
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
Scottie Pippen 21 39.9 16.8 2.3 4.8 7.1 5.2 2.1 1.0 2.4 3.1 5.8 14.0 .415 0.9 3.8 .228 4.3 6.4 .679

Season 12
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1990-911998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsRockets 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 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
Scottie Pippen 50 40.2 14.5 1.3 5.2 6.5 5.9 2.0 0.7 3.2 2.4 5.2 12.1 .432 1.4 4.2 .340 2.6 3.7 .721
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
Scottie Pippen 4 43.0 18.3 5.0 6.8 11.8 5.5 1.8 0.8 3.3 3.3 5.8 17.5 .329 1.5 5.5 .273 5.3 6.5 .808

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

Season 13
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season 1995-961999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdTrail Blazers 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 %
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
Scottie Pippen 82 33.5 12.5 1.4 4.9 6.3 5.0 1.4 0.5 2.5 2.5 4.7 10.5 .451 1.0 3.2 .327 2.0 2.7 .717
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
Scottie Pippen 16 38.4 14.9 1.4 5.8 7.1 4.3 2.0 0.4 2.3 3.1 5.2 12.4 .419 1.3 4.4 .300 3.3 4.4 .743

Season 14
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season -2000-01
Team -Portland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Trail Blazers 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 ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen 64 33.3 11.3 1.1 4.1 5.2 4.6 1.5 0.5 2.4 2.5 4.2 9.3 .451 1.0 2.9 .344 1.9 2.5 .739
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen 3 39.0 13.7 0.7 5.0 5.7 2.3 2.7 0.7 4.0 4.7 5.3 12.7 .421 1.0 5.7 .176 2.0 3.0 .667

Season 15
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season -2001-02
Team -Portland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Trail Blazers 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 ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen 62 32.2 10.6 1.2 3.9 5.2 5.9 1.6 0.6 2.8 2.6 4.0 9.7 .411 0.9 2.9 .305 1.8 2.4 .774
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen 3 33.0 16.3 2.7 6.7 9.3 5.7 1.3 0.7 3.3 4.7 6.0 13.0 .462 2.0 3.7 .545 2.3 2.7 .875

Season 16
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season -2002-03
Team -Portland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Trail Blazers 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 ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen 64 29.9 10.8 0.9 3.5 4.3 4.5 1.6 0.4 2.6 2.3 4.1 9.3 .444 0.6 2.1 .286 1.9 2.3 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen 4 18.5 5.8 0.5 2.3 2.8 3.3 0.0 0.0 1.8 2.0 2.3 5.5 .409 0.8 2.3 .333 0.5 0.5 1.000

Season 17
Magic Johnson Scottie Pippen
Season -2003-04
Team -Chicago Bulls
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 ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen 23 17.9 5.9 0.9 2.1 3.0 2.2 0.9 0.4 1.3 1.7 2.3 6.1 .379 0.6 2.1 .271 0.7 1.2 .630
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Scottie Pippen ------- --- ----------
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