Dwight Howard vs. Don Nelson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Don Nelson and Dwight Howard that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Player Comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Dwight Howard:
2004-05 to 2021-22
Don Nelson:
1962-63 to 1975-76

NBA Championships and Seasons

Dwight Howard1
Don Nelson5
Dwight Howard18
Don Nelson14
Dwight Howard12
Don Nelson11
Dwight Howard8
Don Nelson0

Honors and Awards

Dwight Howard5
Don Nelson0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Dwight Howard8
Don Nelson0
Dwight Howard4
Don Nelson0
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Dwight Howard5
Don Nelson0
Dwight Howard3
Don Nelson0
*
Dwight Howard5
Don Nelson0
Dwight Howard2
Don Nelson0
*
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.
Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.
Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Dwight Howard 15.7
Don Nelson 10.3

Dwight Howard 11.8
Don Nelson 4.9

Dwight Howard 1.3
Don Nelson 1.4

Dwight Howard 0.9
Don Nelson 0.3

*
Dwight Howard 1.8
Don Nelson 0.1

*

Totals Stats

Dwight Howard 19,485
Don Nelson 10,898

Dwight Howard 14,627
Don Nelson 5,192

Dwight Howard 1,676
Don Nelson 1,526

Dwight Howard 1,081
Don Nelson 65

*
Dwight Howard 2,228
Don Nelson 35

*
Dwight Howard 1,242
Don Nelson 1,053

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dwight Howard .587
Don Nelson .480

3-Point Percentage
Dwight Howard .214
Don Nelson -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dwight Howard .567
Don Nelson .765

Best Season (no game minimum)

Dwight Howard 22.9
(2011)
Don Nelson 15.4
(1970)

Dwight Howard 14.5
(2012)
Don Nelson 7.3
(1970)

Dwight Howard 1.9
(2007)
Don Nelson 2.3
(1972)

Dwight Howard 1.5
(2012)
Don Nelson 0.4
(1975)

*
Dwight Howard 2.9
(2009)
Don Nelson 0.2
(1975)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Dwight Howard 15.3
Don Nelson 10.5

Dwight Howard 11.8
Don Nelson 4.8

Dwight Howard 1.2
Don Nelson 1.4

Dwight Howard 0.8
Don Nelson 0.3

*
Dwight Howard 2.0
Don Nelson 0.1

*

Totals Stats

Dwight Howard 1,909
Don Nelson 1,577

Dwight Howard 1,473
Don Nelson 719

Dwight Howard 149
Don Nelson 210

Dwight Howard 94
Don Nelson 13

*
Dwight Howard 248
Don Nelson 7

*
Dwight Howard 125
Don Nelson 150

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dwight Howard .589
Don Nelson .498

3-Point Percentage
Dwight Howard .143
Don Nelson -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dwight Howard .548
Don Nelson .817

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Dwight Howard 27.0
(2011)
Don Nelson 15.4
(1975)

Dwight Howard 15.8
(2008)
Don Nelson 7.5
(1968)

Dwight Howard 1.9
(2009)
Don Nelson 2.4
(1975)

Dwight Howard 1.4
(2015)
Don Nelson 0.4
(1974)

*
Dwight Howard 3.5
(2010)
Don Nelson 0.2
(1975)

*
Notes: * Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
** Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.