Mike James vs. Bob Lanier Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Bob Lanier and Mike James, 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

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.

Mike James played 12 years in the NBA, 2 less than Bob Lanier, who played 14. Mike James had the first of his seasons in 2001-02, while Bob Lanier had his rookie season in 1970-71. 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
Mike James 12 3 2001-02 to 2013-14
Bob Lanier 14 9 1970-71 to 1983-84

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

Rookie Season

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2001-021970-71
Team Miami HeatDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 15 7.9 2.8 0.1 0.8 0.9 1.3 0.4 0.1 0.9 1.1 1.0 2.9 .349 0.5 1.4 .381 0.3 0.5 .571
Bob Lanier 82 24.6 15.6 - - 8.1 1.8 - - - 3.3 6.1 13.5 .455 - - - 3.3 4.6 .726
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2002-031971-72
Team Miami HeatDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 78 22.1 7.8 0.3 1.6 1.9 3.2 0.8 0.1 1.4 2.3 2.8 7.5 .373 0.9 2.9 .294 1.3 1.8 .732
Bob Lanier 80 38.7 25.7 - - 14.2 3.1 - - - 3.7 10.4 21.1 .493 - - - 4.9 6.3 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2003-041972-73
Team Boston Celtics, Detroit PistonsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 81 27.1 9.3 0.3 2.5 2.9 4.2 1.2 0.0 1.5 1.9 3.4 8.1 .414 1.3 3.5 .377 1.3 1.6 .811
Bob Lanier 81 38.9 23.8 - - 14.9 3.2 - - - 3.4 10.0 20.4 .490 - - - 3.8 4.9 .773
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 22 8.8 2.6 0.3 0.9 1.2 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.7 1.0 1.0 2.4 .396 0.3 0.6 .429 0.4 0.7 .563
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2004-051973-74
Team Milwaukee Bucks, Houston RocketsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdPistons Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 74 25.1 11.8 0.5 2.3 2.8 3.6 0.9 0.1 1.4 2.4 4.5 10.1 .441 1.4 3.5 .386 1.5 2.0 .752
Bob Lanier 81 37.6 22.5 3.3 9.9 13.3 4.2 1.4 3.0 - 3.4 9.2 18.3 .504 - - - 4.0 5.0 .797
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 7 24.6 11.6 0.3 1.6 1.9 2.3 0.9 0.3 1.4 2.4 4.1 8.9 .468 0.0 1.3 .000 3.3 3.4 .958
Bob Lanier 7 43.3 26.3 3.7 11.6 15.3 3.0 0.6 2.0 - 4.0 11.0 21.7 .507 - - - 4.3 5.4 .789

Season 5

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2005-061974-75
Team Toronto RaptorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons 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 %
Mike James 79 37.0 20.3 0.6 2.7 3.3 5.8 0.9 0.0 2.6 2.7 7.3 15.5 .469 2.1 4.8 .442 3.6 4.3 .837
Bob Lanier 76 39.3 24.0 3.0 9.1 12.0 4.6 1.0 2.3 - 3.1 9.6 18.9 .510 - - - 4.8 5.9 .802
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 3 42.7 20.3 1.7 9.0 10.7 6.3 1.3 4.0 - 3.3 8.7 17.0 .510 - - - 3.0 4.0 .750

Season 6

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2006-071975-76
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 82 25.2 10.1 0.3 1.7 2.0 3.6 0.7 0.1 1.6 2.1 3.6 8.6 .422 1.0 2.6 .372 1.9 2.2 .837
Bob Lanier 64 36.9 21.3 3.4 8.3 11.7 3.4 1.2 1.3 - 3.2 8.5 15.9 .532 - - - 4.4 5.8 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 9 39.9 26.1 4.3 8.3 12.7 3.3 0.9 2.3 - 3.8 10.6 19.1 .552 - - - 5.0 5.6 .900

Season 7

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2007-081976-77
Team Houston Rockets, New Orleans HornetsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Hornets Lost West Conf SemisPistons 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 %
Mike James 54 13.3 5.0 0.3 1.0 1.3 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.7 1.0 1.9 5.4 .348 0.6 1.8 .320 0.7 0.9 .813
Bob Lanier 64 38.2 25.3 3.1 8.5 11.6 3.3 1.1 2.0 - 2.7 10.6 19.8 .534 - - - 4.1 5.0 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 4 7.0 3.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.0 3.0 .333 0.5 1.3 .400 0.5 0.5 1.000
Bob Lanier 3 39.3 28.0 4.3 12.3 16.7 2.0 1.0 2.3 - 3.3 11.3 18.0 .630 - - - 5.3 6.3 .842

Season 8

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2008-091977-78
Team New Orleans Hornets, Washington WizardsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 61 27.0 8.7 0.4 1.8 2.2 3.3 0.7 0.1 1.5 1.8 3.2 8.4 .383 1.1 3.0 .375 1.1 1.3 .829
Bob Lanier 63 36.7 24.5 3.1 8.2 11.3 3.4 1.3 1.5 3.6 2.9 9.9 18.4 .537 - - - 4.7 6.1 .772
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2009-101978-79
Team Washington WizardsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 4 11.5 4.5 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.3 0.8 0.0 1.3 0.8 1.5 5.0 .300 0.5 1.5 .333 1.0 2.0 .500
Bob Lanier 53 34.6 23.6 3.1 6.2 9.3 2.6 0.9 1.4 3.3 3.4 9.2 17.9 .515 - - - 5.2 6.9 .749
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Note: Mike James didn't play in 2010-11.

Season 10

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2011-121979-80
Team Chicago BullsDetroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBucks Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James 11 10.9 4.8 0.2 0.7 0.9 2.6 0.4 0.2 1.3 1.8 1.8 4.5 .408 0.5 0.9 .600 0.6 0.7 .875
Bob Lanier 63 33.8 19.2 2.4 6.3 8.8 2.9 1.2 1.4 2.6 3.2 7.4 13.8 .537 0.0 0.1 .167 4.4 5.6 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 7 36.6 19.3 2.4 6.9 9.3 4.4 1.0 1.1 2.4 3.3 7.4 14.4 .515 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 6.0 .738

Season 11

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2012-131980-81
Team Dallas MavericksMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBucks 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 %
Mike James 45 19.2 6.1 0.2 1.4 1.6 3.1 0.6 0.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 6.0 .373 1.1 2.8 .384 0.5 0.6 .793
Bob Lanier 67 26.2 14.3 1.9 4.3 6.2 2.7 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.7 5.6 10.7 .525 0.0 0.0 1.000 3.1 4.1 .751
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 7 33.7 17.6 1.7 5.7 7.4 4.0 1.7 1.1 2.1 2.6 7.1 12.1 .588 0.0 0.0 - 3.3 4.6 .719

Season 12

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season 2013-141981-82
Team Chicago BullsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayBucks 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 %
Mike James 11 7.0 1.0 0.0 0.6 0.6 1.5 0.2 0.0 0.5 1.0 0.5 1.9 .238 0.1 0.5 .200 0.0 0.2 .000
Bob Lanier 74 26.8 13.5 1.2 4.0 5.2 3.0 1.0 0.8 2.2 2.9 5.5 9.9 .558 0.0 0.0 .000 2.5 3.3 .752
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 6 35.3 16.0 3.0 4.5 7.5 3.7 1.3 0.8 2.3 3.5 6.8 13.3 .513 0.0 0.2 .000 2.3 4.2 .560

Season 13

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season -1982-83
Team -Milwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Bucks 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 %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 39 25.1 10.7 1.5 3.6 5.1 2.7 0.9 0.6 2.1 3.2 4.2 8.5 .491 0.0 0.0 .000 2.3 3.4 .684
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 9 27.8 13.7 1.9 5.1 7.0 2.6 0.6 1.6 2.3 3.6 5.7 9.9 .573 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.9 .600

Season 14

Mike James Bob Lanier
Season -1983-84
Team -Milwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Bucks 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 %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 72 27.9 13.6 2.0 4.4 6.3 2.6 0.8 0.7 2.3 3.2 5.4 9.5 .572 0.0 0.0 .000 2.7 3.8 .708
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike James ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 16 31.2 12.7 2.0 5.3 7.3 3.4 0.7 0.6 2.4 3.6 5.1 10.7 .480 0.0 0.0 - 2.4 2.8 .886