Rasual Butler vs. Dave Cowens Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Dave Cowens and Rasual Butler, 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.

Rasual Butler played 13 years in the NBA, 2 more than Dave Cowens, who played 11. Rasual Butler had the first of his seasons in 2002-03, while Dave Cowens 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
Rasual Butler 13 6 2002-03 to 2015-16
Dave Cowens 11 7 1970-71 to 1982-83

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2002-031970-71
Team Miami HeatBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement Rookie of the Year
-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 %
Rasual Butler 72 21.0 7.5 0.4 2.2 2.6 1.3 0.3 0.6 1.1 1.5 2.9 7.9 .362 0.7 2.4 .292 1.1 1.4 .731
Dave Cowens 81 38.0 17.0 - - 15.0 2.8 - - - 4.3 6.8 16.1 .422 - - - 3.4 4.6 .732
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler ------- --- ----------
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2003-041971-72
Team Miami HeatBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf SemisCeltics 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 %
Rasual Butler 45 15.0 6.8 0.1 1.3 1.4 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.6 1.6 2.6 5.6 .476 1.1 2.4 .463 0.4 0.5 .762
Dave Cowens 79 40.3 18.8 - - 15.2 3.1 - - - 4.0 8.3 17.2 .484 - - - 2.2 3.1 .720
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 10 5.8 2.1 0.0 1.1 1.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.2 0.9 2.2 .409 0.3 0.9 .333 0.0 0.0 -
Dave Cowens 11 40.1 15.5 - - 13.8 3.0 - - - 4.5 6.5 14.2 .455 - - - 2.5 4.3 .596

Season 3

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2004-051972-73
Team Miami HeatBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf FinalsCeltics 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 %
Rasual Butler 65 18.5 6.5 0.2 2.1 2.3 1.0 0.3 0.4 0.6 1.6 2.5 6.3 .399 0.9 2.4 .373 0.6 0.7 .771
Dave Cowens 82 41.8 20.5 - - 16.2 4.1 - - - 3.8 9.0 20.0 .452 - - - 2.5 3.2 .779
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 12 14.9 4.7 0.1 1.4 1.5 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 1.8 1.8 4.9 .373 0.9 2.5 .367 0.1 0.3 .333
Dave Cowens 13 46.0 21.9 - - 16.6 3.7 - - - 4.2 9.9 21.0 .473 - - - 2.1 3.2 .659

Season 4

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2005-061973-74
Team New Orleans/Oklahoma City HornetsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 79 23.7 8.7 0.6 2.3 2.9 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.8 3.3 8.0 .406 1.2 3.1 .380 1.0 1.4 .693
Dave Cowens 80 41.9 19.0 3.3 12.4 15.7 4.4 1.2 1.3 - 3.7 8.1 18.4 .437 - - - 2.9 3.4 .832
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler ------- --- ----------
Dave Cowens 18 42.9 20.5 3.3 10.0 13.3 3.7 1.2 0.9 - 4.7 8.9 20.6 .435 - - - 2.6 3.3 .797

Season 5

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2006-071974-75
Team New Orleans/Oklahoma City HornetsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayCeltics 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 %
Rasual Butler 81 27.4 10.1 0.5 2.6 3.2 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.8 3.9 9.7 .398 1.7 4.5 .369 0.7 1.1 .644
Dave Cowens 65 40.5 20.4 3.5 11.2 14.7 4.6 1.3 1.1 - 3.7 8.8 18.4 .475 - - - 2.9 3.8 .783
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler ------- --- ----------
Dave Cowens 11 43.5 20.5 4.5 12.0 16.5 4.2 1.6 0.5 - 4.5 9.2 21.5 .428 - - - 2.1 2.4 .885

Season 6

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2007-081975-76
Team New Orleans HornetsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 51 17.2 4.9 0.3 1.6 2.0 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.2 1.3 1.8 5.1 .350 0.9 2.6 .331 0.5 0.6 .839
Dave Cowens 78 39.8 19.0 4.3 11.7 16.0 4.2 1.2 0.9 - 4.0 7.8 16.7 .468 - - - 3.3 4.4 .756
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler ------- --- ----------
Dave Cowens 18 44.3 21.0 4.8 11.6 16.4 4.6 1.2 0.7 - 4.7 8.7 18.9 .457 - - - 3.7 4.8 .759

Season 7

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2008-091976-77
Team New Orleans HornetsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Hornets Lost West Conf 1st RdCeltics 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 %
Rasual Butler 82 31.9 11.2 0.6 2.7 3.3 0.9 0.6 0.7 0.7 1.9 4.2 9.8 .433 1.7 4.4 .390 1.0 1.3 .782
Dave Cowens 50 37.8 16.4 2.9 11.0 13.9 5.0 0.9 1.0 - 3.6 6.6 15.1 .434 - - - 3.2 4.0 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 5 31.6 10.6 0.6 2.4 3.0 0.2 0.2 0.8 1.2 2.8 3.4 7.4 .459 2.0 3.8 .526 1.8 1.8 1.000
Dave Cowens 9 42.1 16.6 3.2 11.7 14.9 4.0 0.9 1.4 - 4.1 7.3 16.4 .446 - - - 1.9 2.4 .773

Season 8

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2009-101977-78
Team Los Angeles ClippersBoston Celtics
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 %
Rasual Butler 82 33.0 11.9 0.5 2.5 2.9 1.4 0.4 0.8 1.0 1.5 4.3 10.6 .409 1.8 5.3 .336 1.5 1.8 .841
Dave Cowens 77 41.8 18.6 3.2 10.8 14.0 4.6 1.3 0.9 2.8 3.9 7.8 15.8 .490 - - - 3.1 3.7 .842
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler ------- --- ----------
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2010-111978-79
Team Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago BullsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 47 16.4 4.7 0.2 1.4 1.6 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.7 5.0 .333 1.0 2.9 .338 0.4 0.6 .667
Dave Cowens 68 37.0 16.6 2.2 7.4 9.6 3.6 1.1 0.8 2.6 3.9 7.2 14.9 .483 - - - 2.2 2.8 .807
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 3 2.3 1.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 1.000 0.3 0.3 1.000 0.0 0.0 -
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2011-121979-80
Team Toronto RaptorsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayCeltics 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 %
Rasual Butler 34 13.3 3.2 0.2 1.8 1.9 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.4 1.1 1.2 3.9 .308 0.6 2.3 .273 0.2 0.4 .583
Dave Cowens 66 32.7 14.2 1.9 6.2 8.1 3.1 1.0 0.9 1.6 3.3 6.4 14.1 .453 0.0 0.2 .083 1.4 1.8 .779
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler ------- --- ----------
Dave Cowens 9 33.4 12.0 2.0 5.3 7.3 2.3 1.0 0.8 0.9 4.1 5.4 11.4 .476 0.0 0.2 .000 1.1 1.2 .909

Note: Rasual Butler didn't play in 2012-13.

Note: Dave Cowens didn't play in 1980-81 and 1981-82.

Season 11

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2013-141982-83
Team Indiana PacersMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Pacers Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 50 7.6 2.7 0.1 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.6 1.0 2.2 .464 0.5 1.2 .419 0.2 0.3 .571
Dave Cowens 40 25.4 8.1 1.8 5.0 6.9 2.1 0.8 0.4 1.1 3.4 3.4 7.7 .444 0.0 0.1 .000 1.3 1.6 .825
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 11 6.4 1.7 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.5 1.4 .400 0.5 1.1 .417 0.2 0.2 1.000
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2014-15-
Team Washington Wizards-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Wizards 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 %
Rasual Butler 75 20.1 7.7 0.4 2.3 2.6 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.6 1.3 2.9 6.9 .422 1.2 3.1 .387 0.7 0.9 .791
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 2 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.5 .000 0.0 0.5 .000 0.0 0.0 -
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Rasual Butler Dave Cowens
Season 2015-16-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not Play-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler 46 9.4 2.7 0.1 1.2 1.2 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.2 1.1 2.3 .471 0.3 1.1 .306 0.2 0.3 .688
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasual Butler ------- --- ----------
Dave Cowens ------- --- ----------