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Leaving a Legacy: LeBron James vs. Magic Johnson

By Austin Connolly

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17, 1980 : Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during a ceremony after winning the 1980 NBA finals in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17, 1980 : Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during a ceremony after winning the 1980 NBA finals in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Career Playoff Stats

LeBron James

  • 28.8 PPG, 7.2 APG, 9.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG

Magic Johnson

  • 19.5 PPG, 12.3 APG, 7.7 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG

When you’re on the NBA’s Mount Rushmore, playoff dominance is essential. As you might expect, both LeBron and Magic Johnson have found great success in the postseason throughout their respective careers. Let’s take a closer look.

Similar to the regular season stat comparison, LeBron James dominates the scoring column. But, once again, Magic more than makes up for it with tremendous passing. Using our same lazy math from the regular season stat comparison, Magic’s assist advantage translates to 10 points giving him 29.5 points per game and 7.3 assists per game to LeBron’s 28.8 and 7.2.

Just when you think we might finally break the statistical deadlock here, all we need to do is take a look at the defensive side of the ball.

LeBron is putting up more than a rebound per game more in the playoffs than Magic did for his career. Although Magic has a slight edge in steals per game, LeBron more than makes up for it in the blocks per game department.

I hate to say it, but it’s a draw for me once again. Magic is a bit more effective on offense, but LeBron is slightly more effective on the defensive end.

Postseason success is difficult to gauge statistically, but there is one metric coming up that is far more black and white.

Championships

  • LeBron James – 4
  • Magic Johnson – 5

With the victory on Sunday, LeBron James secured his fourth ring in 10 finals appearances. Although many are critical of his record, four out of ten isn’t that bad for his legacy considering the teams he has faced.

However, Magic Johnson went to the Finals nine times and played some incredible teams too. Unlike James, he won more than he lost finishing his career with five championships in nine appearances.

It’s safe to say, we finally have a definitive winner: Magic Johnson. For now, it’s hard to argue with the results. Magic Johnson has won more championships in fewer seasons and with fewer finals appearances. Additionally, he’s done it with one franchise (albeit a great one).

As we know, being a great player isn’t as simple as winning a ring. You also need to be the best player on the floor when doing so. That takes us to our next category.

Finals MVPs

  • LeBron James – 4
  • Magic Johnson – 3

Although LeBron James has played more seasons than Magic and still has less rings, he has been arguably better in the finals.

In all four of his championships, LeBron has been the man. That being said, Magic Johnson still has three of his own. And, to make things more interesting, should Magic Johnson really have four Finals MVPs?

When we take a look at his fifth and final championship with the Lakers, Magic Johnson simply fell victim to the best game of James Worthy’s career in the closeout Game 7.

Despite a monster 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in game 7, James Worthy was relatively average in the 1988 Finals.

For the series, Worthy averaged 22 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists. He also chipped in 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks.

Although impressive, one could argue Magic Johnson was more deserving. For the series, Magic Johnson averaged 21.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 13 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game.

In short, Magic Johnson fell victim to the narrative here. Unlike his heroic closeout game in his rookie season where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sat due to injury, Magic Johnson was on the floor in Game 7. In fact, he was remarkably efficient and racked up 19 points, 14 assists, and five rebounds while shooting 6-9 from the field.

I digress. Although Magic played great and could easily have four Finals MVPs as well, we have to give James Worthy his props for delivering when it counts.

Thanks to Worthy, LeBron James holds the slight edge here.