In this blog, we will take a look at the iconic matchup between Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. These two legends of the game went head-to-head many times during their careers, and it was always a thrilling matchup to watch. Kobe was one of the best players of his generation, and Magic was one of the best ever. They both brought out the best in each other, and it was always a great game to watch.
Magic Johnson Vs Kobe Bryant Stats
| Kobe Bryant |
Career |
Magic Johnson |
| 1,346 |
Games Played |
906 |
| 1,198 |
Games Started |
763 |
| 48,637 |
Minutes Played |
33,245 |
| 11,719 |
Field Goals Made |
6,211 |
| 26,2 |
Field Goals Attempted |
11,951 |
| 44.7% |
Field Goal Percentage |
52.0% |
| 1,827 |
3-Pointers Made |
325 |
| 5,546 |
3-Pointers Attempted |
1,074 |
| 32.9% |
3-Point Percentage |
30.3% |
| 9,892 |
2-Pointers Made |
5,886 |
| 20,654 |
2-Pointers Attempted |
10,877 |
| 47.9% |
2-Point Percentage |
54.1% |
| 48.2% |
eFG% |
53.3% |
| 8,378 |
Free Throws Made |
4,96 |
| 10,011 |
Free Throws Attempted |
5,85 |
| 83.7% |
Free Throw Percentage |
84.8% |
| 1,499 |
Offensive Rebounds |
1,601 |
| 5,548 |
Defensive Rebounds |
4,958 |
| 7,047 |
Total Rebounds |
6,559 |
| 6,306 |
Assists |
10,141 |
| 1,944 |
Steals |
1,724 |
| 640 |
Blocks |
374 |
| 4,01 |
Turnovers |
3,506 |
| 3,353 |
Personal Fouls |
2,05 |
| 33,643 |
Points Scored |
17,707 |
| 25.0 |
Points Per Game |
19.5 |
| 36.1 |
Minutes Per Game |
36.7 |
| 4.7 |
Assists Per Game |
11.2 |
| 5.2 |
Rebounds Per Game |
7.2 |
| 24.9 |
Points Per 36 Minutes |
19.2 |
| 5.2 |
Rebounds Per 36 Minutes |
7.1 |
| 4.7 |
Assists Per 36 Minutes |
11.0 |
In terms of numbers per game, Bryant averaged 2.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He has 1,944 steals, 640 rejections, and 6,306 assists in his career. Bryant has a total of 7,047 rebounds in his career,
with 5,548 defensive rebounds and 1,499 offensive rebounds. He also had 3,353 violations and 4,010 giveaways in addition to a 48.2% effective field goal rate.
Bryant made 8,378 of 10,011 free throw attempts, for an 83.7% success percentage.
He had a 47.9% success percentage by burying 9,892 of his 20,654 two-pointers. He had a 3pt percentage of 32.9% by making 1,827 of 5,546 shots from beyond the arc.
Bryant has a 44.7% shooting percentage after making 11,719 shots out of 26,200 attempts. During his career,
he averaged 24.9 points per 36 minutes while also grabbing 5.2 rebounds and dishing out 4.7 assists.
Bryant was designated a starter in 1,198 games, averaging 25.0 points per game and totaling 33,643 points. Kobe Bryant played in 1,346 games and logged 48,637 minutes in those games during his career.
When it comes to passing the ball, Johnson recorded 10,141 assists to go along with 1,724 steals and 374 blocks. He averaged 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. During his career, he grabbed 6,559 total rebounds, 4,958 on the defensive end and 1,601 on the offensive end. He had an effective FG percentage of 53.3% and was also responsible for 3,506 turnovers and 2,050 fouls.
Johnson converted 4,960 of his 5,850 free throw tries for an 84.8% free throw percentage. He had a 54.1% shooting percentage by making 5,886 out of 10,877 tries. In his pro basketball career, he attempted 1,074 long-range shots and converted 325 of them for a 30.3% shooting percentage.
Johnson had a 52.0% field goal percentage on 6,211 shots out of 11,951 attempts. He averaged 11.0 assists, 7.1 rebounds, and 19.2 points per 36 minutes. Johnson has 17,707 points in his career, an average of 19.5 points per game, and has started 763 games. Magic Johnson's career included 33,245 minutes and 906 matchups.
| Kobe Bryant – 2015-16 |
Most Recent Season |
Magic Johnson – 1995-96 |
| 66 |
Games Played |
32 |
| 66 |
Games Started |
9 |
| 1,863 |
Minutes Played |
958 |
| 398 |
Field Goals Made |
137 |
| 1,113 |
Field Goals Attempted |
294 |
| 35.8% |
Field Goal Percentage |
46.6% |
| 133 |
3-Pointers Made |
22 |
| 467 |
3-Pointers Attempted |
58 |
| 28.5% |
3-Point Percentage |
37.9% |
| 265 |
2-Pointers Made |
115 |
| 646 |
2-Pointers Attempted |
236 |
| 41.0% |
2-Point Percentage |
48.7% |
| 41.7% |
eFG% |
50.3% |
| 232 |
Free Throws Made |
172 |
| 281 |
Free Throws Attempted |
201 |
| 82.6% |
Free Throw Percentage |
85.6% |
| 41 |
Offensive Rebounds |
40 |
| 206 |
Defensive Rebounds |
143 |
| 247 |
Total Rebounds |
183 |
| 184 |
Assists |
220 |
| 62 |
Steals |
26 |
| 13 |
Blocks |
13 |
| 129 |
Turnovers |
103 |
| 115 |
Personal Fouls |
48 |
| 1,161 |
Points Scored |
468 |
| 17.6 |
Points Per Game |
14.6 |
| 28.2 |
Minutes Per Game |
29.9 |
| 2.8 |
Assists Per Game |
6.9 |
| 3.7 |
Rebounds Per Game |
5.7 |
| 22.4 |
Points Per 36 Minutes |
17.6 |
| 4.8 |
Rebounds Per 36 Minutes |
6.9 |
| 3.6 |
Assists Per 36 Minutes |
8.3 |
Kobe Bryant started 66 games and logged 1,863 minutes of playing time. In 66 games, he scored 1,161 points and averaged 17.6 points per game. Bryant averaged 22.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per 36-minute period. Bryant had a field goal percentage of 35.8%, making 398 of 1,113 attempts. Bryant made 133 of 467 attempts from downtown for a 28.5% 3pt rate.
He made 265 of 646 shots from behind the arc for a 41.0% 2pt percentage. Bryant's percentage from the free throw line was 82.6%, with 232 of 281 attempts resulting in a burying rate of 82.6%. Over the course of his last season, Kobe Bryant had an effective field goal percentage of 41.7%, 129 turnovers, and 115 personal fouls.
Bryant had 247 rebounds last season, 41 of which were offensive and 206 of which were defensive. Bryant had 184 assists, 62 steals, and 13 blocks in his final season.
Bryant averaged 3.74 rebounds and 2.79 assists per game.
Johnson averaged 6.9 assists per game while also grabbing 5.7 rebounds.
Johnson finished with 13 blocks, 220 assists, and 26 steals. When it comes to rebounds, Johnson had 40 on the offensive side of the floor and
143 on the defensive side, totaling 183.
Magic Johnson had 48 personal fouls in his past season, as well as 103 turnovers and a 50.3% effective field goal percentage. Johnson made 172 of his 201 free throw attempts, giving him an 85.6% success rate. His two-point percentage was 48.7%, as he made 115 of 236 shots. Johnson ended with a 37.9% shooting percentage from behind the arc, sinking 22 of his 58 attempts.
Johnson converted 137 of 294 shots for a 46.6% field goal percentage. Johnson averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per 36-minute period. In 32 games, he scored 468 points and averaged 14.6 points per game. During his last season, Magic Johnson played 958 minutes and started nine games.
NBA Championships and Seasons
|
Kobe Bryant |
Magic Johnson |
| NBA Championships |
5 |
5 |
| NBA Seasons |
20 |
13 |
| Playoffs Played |
15 |
13 |
| All-Star Games |
18 |
12 |
Honors and Awards
| Honors and Awards |
Kobe Bryant |
Magic Johnson |
| Season MVP |
1 |
3 |
| Finals MVP |
2 |
3 |
| All-NBA First Team |
11 |
9 |
| All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) |
15 |
10 |
| All-Defensive 1st Team |
9 |
0 |
| All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) |
12 |
0 |
| Scoring Leader |
2 |
0 |
| Assists Leader |
0 |
4 |
| Steals Leader |
0 |
2 |
Read more:
FAQs
1. Who is better, Kobe or Magic Johnson?
While Magic's intangibles place him ahead of Kobe, Kobe's tangible qualities put him ahead of Magic. Magic Johnson is one of the best all-around players of all time, as he averaged 19.5 PPG, 11.2 APG, and 7.2 APG. However, one can argue that Bryant's on-court play is even more impressive.
2. What did Magic Johnson say about Kobe?
"Kobe was the biggest celebrity in this town, and Kobe was able to draw celebrities," Johnson said. "Very few guys can come and take over a city like Los Angeles. Very few. He was one of them
3. Who's the best player in the NBA of all time?
1. Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is widely known as the game's greatest player—and for a good reason. "MJ" accomplished everything possible in the game, piling up on the stats and awards.
To know more details, click here: Best NBA Players
4. Did Kobe Bryant ever play with Magic Johnson?
Because that would have seen Magic play alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. If the trio got the opportunity to play together, they would have been one of the greatest of all time. But unfortunately, we never got to see them play together.
Conclusion
In short, Kobe and Magic are two of the greatest basketball players of all time. They both have unique skillsets and abilities that have helped them become legends in the sport. While they may have different playing styles, they are both equally talented and have had tremendous success in their careers.
