Larry Bird
1979–80 to 1991–92
13 seasons · 1979–80 to 1991–92NBA player comparison
Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson
Compare careers, peaks, scoring and résumé. The headline card is ready to share; the supporting evidence follows below.
Magic Johnson
1979–80 to 1995–96
13 seasons · 1979–80 to 1995–96The impact case for Larry Bird
#8Career Impact Rank#10
4Seasons ranked No. 11
7Top-five impact seasons11
10Top-ten impact seasons12
1.0Best 3 seasons · avg. league rank1.7
1.2Best 5 seasons · avg. league rank1.8
3.7Best 10 seasons · avg. league rank2.7
The story: Larry Bird produced 4 No. 1 impact seasons and 7 top-five seasons; Magic Johnson produced 1 and 11. Across their best three, five and ten seasons, their average league ranks were 1.0, 1.2 and 3.7 versus 1.7, 1.8 and 2.7. Lower is better.
This is regular-season impact, not a points-per-game, awards or championships ranking.
Why this verdict
Larry Bird produced 4 No. 1 impact seasons and 7 top-five seasons; Magic Johnson produced 1 and 11. Across their best three, five and ten seasons, their average league ranks were 1.0, 1.2 and 3.7 versus 1.7, 1.8 and 2.7. Lower is better.
Full comparison
All the numbers
Category leaders are highlighted. Only hussEyquation measures determine the verdict; awards remain context.
Model
hussEyquation
Regular-season impact and career value.
#8Career Impact RankPeak-weighted regular-season rank#10
#20Career Value RankTotal regular-season value#16
1.0Best 3 average finish1.7
1.2Best 5 average finish1.8
3.7Best 10 average finish2.7
4Seasons ranked No. 11
7Top-five impact seasons11
10Top-ten impact seasons12
Values compare Larry Bird with Magic Johnson.Box score
Traditional stats
Scoring, efficiency and all-around production.
897Games906
34,443Minutes33,245
24.3PPG19.5
10.0RPG7.2
6.3APG11.2
56.4%TS%61.0%
49.6%FG%52.0%
37.6%3P%30.3%
88.6%FT%84.8%
Values compare Larry Bird with Magic Johnson.Résumé
Awards and honors
Context only; these are not model inputs.
12All-Star12
3MVP3
10All-NBA10
3All-Defense0
0DPOY0
1Rookie of the Year0
Values compare Larry Bird with Magic Johnson.Career shape
Impact by season
Career mode aligns season one with season one.
Larry BirdMagic Johnson