Steve Kerr vs. J.R. Smith Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of J.R. Smith and Steve Kerr, 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.

Steve Kerr played 15 years in the NBA, 1 less than J.R. Smith, who played 16. Steve Kerr had the first of his seasons in 1988-89, while J.R. Smith had his rookie season in 2004-05. 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
Steve Kerr 15 11 1988-89 to 2002-03
J.R. Smith 16 12 2004-05 to 2019-20

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16

Rookie Season

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1988-892004-05
Team Phoenix SunsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards
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 %
Steve Kerr 26 6.0 2.1 0.1 0.5 0.7 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.8 1.8 .435 0.3 0.7 .471 0.2 0.3 .667
J.R. Smith 76 24.5 10.3 0.5 1.5 2.0 1.9 0.7 0.1 1.4 1.8 3.9 9.8 .394 1.1 3.7 .288 1.5 2.1 .689
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1989-902005-06
Team Cleveland CavaliersNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 78 21.3 6.7 0.2 1.1 1.3 3.2 0.6 0.1 0.9 0.8 2.5 5.5 .444 0.9 1.8 .507 0.8 0.9 .863
J.R. Smith 55 18.0 7.7 0.3 1.7 2.0 1.1 0.7 0.1 1.0 1.6 2.6 6.7 .393 0.9 2.5 .371 1.5 1.8 .822
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 5 14.6 1.6 0.2 1.0 1.2 2.0 0.8 0.0 0.4 1.2 0.8 2.8 .286 0.0 0.6 .000 0.0 0.0 -
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1990-912006-07
Team Cleveland CavaliersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets 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 %
Steve Kerr 57 15.9 4.8 0.1 0.6 0.6 2.3 0.5 0.1 0.7 0.9 1.7 3.9 .444 0.5 1.1 .452 0.8 0.9 .849
J.R. Smith 63 23.3 13.0 0.5 1.8 2.3 1.4 0.8 0.1 1.3 2.3 4.5 10.2 .441 2.4 6.1 .390 1.6 2.0 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 4 11.8 4.5 0.3 2.0 2.3 0.5 1.0 0.3 0.8 1.5 1.5 5.5 .273 0.0 3.0 .000 1.5 1.5 1.000

Season 4

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1991-922007-08
Team Cleveland CavaliersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East Conf FinalsNuggets 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 %
Steve Kerr 48 17.6 6.6 0.3 1.3 1.6 2.3 0.6 0.2 0.6 0.6 2.5 4.9 .511 0.7 1.5 .432 0.9 1.1 .833
J.R. Smith 74 19.2 12.3 0.6 1.5 2.1 1.7 0.8 0.2 1.5 1.9 4.2 9.1 .461 2.1 5.3 .403 1.7 2.4 .719
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 12 12.4 3.7 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.3 1.0 1.5 3.4 .439 0.3 0.9 .273 0.4 0.4 1.000
J.R. Smith 4 27.0 18.3 0.3 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.0 0.0 1.3 3.0 5.8 10.8 .535 1.8 5.5 .318 5.0 6.0 .833

Season 5

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1992-932008-09
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando MagicDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 52 9.3 2.6 0.1 0.8 0.9 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.7 1.0 2.3 .434 0.1 0.5 .231 0.4 0.5 .917
J.R. Smith 81 27.7 15.2 0.5 3.1 3.7 2.8 1.0 0.2 1.9 2.3 5.2 11.7 .446 2.2 5.6 .397 2.5 3.4 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 16 27.2 14.9 0.7 2.6 3.3 2.8 1.1 0.3 1.6 3.2 5.5 12.1 .454 2.4 6.6 .358 1.6 2.9 .543

Season 6

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1993-942009-10
Team Chicago BullsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisNuggets 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 %
Steve Kerr 82 24.8 8.6 0.3 1.3 1.6 2.6 0.9 0.0 0.7 1.2 3.5 7.0 .497 0.6 1.5 .419 1.0 1.2 .856
J.R. Smith 75 27.8 15.4 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.4 1.3 0.3 1.9 2.3 5.7 13.8 .414 2.1 6.2 .338 1.9 2.7 .706
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 10 18.6 3.5 0.2 1.2 1.4 1.0 0.7 0.0 0.1 1.3 1.3 3.6 .361 0.6 1.6 .375 0.3 0.3 1.000
J.R. Smith 6 26.5 11.2 0.8 3.0 3.8 1.7 0.7 0.3 1.0 2.8 3.5 9.5 .368 1.8 5.2 .355 2.3 2.7 .875

Season 7

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1994-952010-11
Team Chicago BullsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisNuggets 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 %
Steve Kerr 82 22.4 8.2 0.2 1.2 1.5 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.6 1.4 3.2 6.0 .527 1.1 2.1 .524 0.8 1.0 .778
J.R. Smith 79 24.9 12.3 0.6 3.5 4.1 2.2 1.2 0.2 1.3 2.2 4.3 9.9 .435 1.6 4.0 .390 2.1 2.8 .738
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 10 19.3 5.1 0.1 0.5 0.6 1.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.4 1.9 4.0 .475 0.8 1.9 .421 0.5 0.5 1.000
J.R. Smith 5 15.2 9.8 0.2 1.8 2.0 1.0 0.4 0.0 1.6 1.6 3.2 9.0 .356 1.8 4.2 .429 1.6 2.2 .727

Season 8

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1995-962011-12
Team Chicago BullsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionKnicks Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 82 23.4 8.4 0.3 1.0 1.3 2.3 0.8 0.0 0.5 1.3 3.0 5.9 .506 1.5 2.9 .515 1.0 1.0 .929
J.R. Smith 35 27.6 12.5 0.8 3.1 3.9 2.4 1.5 0.2 1.3 2.5 4.7 11.6 .407 1.9 5.5 .347 1.1 1.6 .709
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 18 19.8 6.8 0.2 0.8 1.0 1.7 0.8 0.0 0.7 1.2 2.2 4.8 .448 0.9 2.9 .321 1.5 1.7 .871
J.R. Smith 5 35.0 12.2 0.4 2.2 2.6 2.2 1.2 0.2 2.2 3.8 4.8 15.2 .316 1.0 5.6 .179 1.6 1.6 1.000

Season 9

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1996-972012-13
Team Chicago BullsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards -Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionKnicks 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 %
Steve Kerr 82 22.7 8.1 0.4 1.2 1.6 2.1 0.8 0.0 0.5 1.2 3.0 5.7 .533 1.3 2.9 .464 0.7 0.8 .806
J.R. Smith 80 33.5 18.1 0.8 4.5 5.3 2.7 1.3 0.3 1.7 2.8 6.6 15.6 .422 1.9 5.5 .356 3.0 3.9 .762
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 19 17.9 5.0 0.2 0.7 0.9 1.1 0.9 0.1 0.4 1.3 1.7 4.1 .429 0.8 2.2 .381 0.7 0.7 .929
J.R. Smith 11 31.9 14.3 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.4 1.0 0.5 1.8 2.5 4.9 14.8 .331 1.6 6.0 .273 2.8 3.9 .721

Season 10

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1997-982013-14
Team Chicago BullsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
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 %
Steve Kerr 50 22.4 7.5 0.3 1.3 1.5 1.9 0.5 0.1 0.5 1.4 2.7 6.0 .454 1.1 2.6 .438 0.9 1.0 .918
J.R. Smith 74 32.7 14.5 0.5 3.5 4.0 3.0 0.9 0.3 1.5 2.6 5.4 12.9 .415 2.6 6.5 .394 1.2 1.9 .652
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 21 19.8 4.9 0.4 0.4 0.8 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.2 1.2 1.6 3.6 .434 0.9 2.0 .463 0.9 1.0 .818
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1998-992014-15
Team San Antonio SpursNew York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 44 16.7 4.4 0.1 0.9 1.0 1.1 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.6 1.5 4.0 .391 0.6 1.8 .313 0.7 0.8 .886
J.R. Smith 70 29.7 12.1 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.8 1.2 0.3 1.4 2.3 4.5 10.8 .417 2.3 6.1 .383 0.8 1.0 .750
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 11 8.7 2.2 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.7 2.7 .267 0.3 1.2 .231 0.5 0.5 .833
J.R. Smith 18 31.1 12.8 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.8 3.0 4.6 11.4 .403 2.8 7.9 .359 0.8 1.1 .700

Season 12

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 1999-002015-16
Team San Antonio SpursCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
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 %
Steve Kerr 32 8.4 2.8 0.1 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.4 1.0 2.3 .432 0.5 1.0 .516 0.3 0.3 .818
J.R. Smith 77 30.7 12.4 0.6 2.3 2.8 1.7 1.1 0.3 0.8 2.6 4.6 11.0 .415 2.6 6.6 .400 0.6 0.9 .634
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 21 34.8 11.5 0.3 2.9 3.2 1.4 1.2 0.2 0.5 2.6 3.9 9.0 .436 3.1 7.2 .430 0.6 1.0 .619

Season 13

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 2000-012016-17
Team San Antonio SpursCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 55 11.8 3.3 0.1 0.5 0.6 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.5 1.2 2.9 .421 0.6 1.4 .429 0.3 0.3 .933
J.R. Smith 41 29.0 8.6 0.4 2.3 2.8 1.5 1.0 0.3 0.6 1.9 3.0 8.7 .346 2.3 6.6 .351 0.2 0.4 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 9 11.1 3.3 0.3 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.9 1.3 2.8 .480 0.6 1.7 .333 0.1 0.2 .500
J.R. Smith 18 27.1 8.1 0.3 2.1 2.3 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.7 2.3 2.8 5.5 .505 2.2 4.4 .500 0.3 0.6 .455

Season 14

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 2001-022017-18
Team Portland Trail BlazersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Trail Blazers Lost West Conf 1st RdCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 65 11.9 4.1 0.1 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.6 3.3 .470 0.4 1.0 .394 0.6 0.6 .975
J.R. Smith 80 28.1 8.3 0.4 2.6 2.9 1.8 0.9 0.1 1.0 2.0 3.0 7.4 .403 1.8 4.8 .375 0.5 0.7 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 3 13.0 6.3 0.0 1.3 1.3 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 2.0 2.0 4.7 .429 0.7 2.7 .250 1.7 1.7 1.000
J.R. Smith 22 32.1 8.7 0.5 2.3 2.7 1.1 1.0 0.2 0.9 2.5 3.0 8.5 .348 2.0 5.5 .367 0.8 1.0 .773

Season 15

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season 2002-032018-19
Team San Antonio SpursCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
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 %
Steve Kerr 75 12.7 4.0 0.2 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.7 1.5 3.4 .430 0.7 1.7 .395 0.4 0.5 .882
J.R. Smith 11 20.2 6.7 0.0 1.6 1.6 1.9 1.0 0.3 1.0 1.7 2.5 7.2 .342 1.1 3.5 .308 0.7 0.9 .800
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr 10 4.5 2.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.7 1.1 .636 0.5 0.6 .833 0.3 0.4 .750
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Steve Kerr J.R. Smith
Season -2019-20
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -NBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 6 13.2 2.8 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.8 1.2 3.7 .318 0.2 1.8 .091 0.3 0.3 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 10 7.5 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.7 1.1 0.7 2.6 .269 0.6 2.2 .273 0.0 0.0 -