Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Comparing career stats for Lakers, Celtics legends

Jordan Greer

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Comparing career stats for Lakers, Celtics legends image

The fierce rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics in the 1980s launched the NBA into a different stratosphere. The league's massive spike in popularity was powered by one of the best individual battles in sports history: Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird.

In that decade, either Los Angeles or Boston reached every NBA Finals. Johnson and Bird faced off three times in the championship series with Johnson winning two of the three matchups. They established themselves as two of the greatest players of all time, ultimately ending up in the Hall of Fame.

While Johnson and Bird were able to build a friendship and true appreciation for each other's skills, fans from that era remain firmly entrenched in their stances. You're either on Team Magic or Team Bird.

We won't tell you which side to pick. We're only here to provide the stats for these basketball legends in order to add some facts to the endless debates.

MORE: Celebrating the life and legacy of the NBA's greatest winner, Bill Russell

Magic Johnson Larry Bird NBA Lakers Celtics
Getty Images

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Regular season stats

Bird was a better scorer, outside shooter and rebounder than Johnson, but Johnson had the upper hand in the passing department. He averaged 10.5 assists per game or more nine times in his career, and he is arguably the best passer in NBA history.

Magic Per Game  Bird
19.5 Points 24.3
7.2 Rebounds 10.0
11.2 Assists 6.3
1.9 Steals 1.7
0.4 Blocks 0.8
3.9 Turnovers 3.1
36.7 Minutes 38.4
52.0 Field goal % 49.6
30.3 3-point % 37.6
84.8 Free throw % 88.6

 

Magic Totals  Bird
906 Games 897
17,707 Points 21,791
6,559 Rebounds 8,974
10,141 Assists 5,695
1,724 Steals 1,556
374 Blocks 755
3,506 Turnovers 2,816
33,245 Minutes 34,443

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Regular season advanced stats

This category is incredibly close. Johnson stands above Bird in PER, VORP, BPM and Win Shares, but Bird is right behind him.

Magic Advanced  Bird
24.1 Player Efficiency Rating 23.5
80.0 Value Over Replacement 77.2
7.5 Box Plus/Minus 6.9
155.8 Win Shares 145.8
61.0 True Shooting % 56.4
22.3 Usage % 26.5
Larry Bird
(NBA Entertainment)

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Playoff stats

The Lakers and Celtics always leaned on Johnson and Bird in the postseason, and they often delivered huge performances during deep runs.

It's worth noting that Johnson finished his career with an 11-8 record against Bird in playoff games. (All of those games took place in the NBA Finals, of course.)

Magic Playoffs Per Game  Bird
19.5 Points 23.8
7.7 Rebounds 10.3
12.3 Assists 6.5
1.9 Steals 1.8
0.3 Blocks 0.9
3.7 Turnovers 3.1
39.7 Minutes 42.0
50.6 Field goal % 47.2
24.1 3-point % 32.1
83.8 Free throw % 89.0

 

Magic Playoff Totals  Bird
190 Games 164
3,701 Points 3,897
1,465 Rebounds 1,683
2,346 Assists 1,062
358 Steals 296
64 Blocks 145
696 Turnovers 506
7,538 Minutes 6,886
Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers)
Getty Images

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Playoff advanced stats

Once again, the advanced stats are tight with Johnson holding a slight edge. Both Johnson and Bird are in the top 15 on the all-time lists for playoff VORP, BPM and Win Shares.

Magic Advanced  Bird
23.0 Player Efficiency Rating 21.4
18.3 Value Over Replacement 15.4
7.6 Box Plus/Minus 6.9
32.6 Win Shares 24.8
59.5 True Shooting % 55.1
21.2 Usage % 24.8

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird: Accolades and awards

For a lot of folks, this is the trump card for Johnson. He has five rings on his hand, and Bird has three.

But don't forget that Bird is one of just three players to pull off an MVP three-peat along with Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

Magic Accolades  Bird
5 Championships 3
3 MVPs 3
3 Finals MVPs 2
10 All-NBA 10
12 All-Star 12

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.