Michael Cooper vs. John Salley Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars John Salley and Michael Cooper that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

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

Michael Cooper

vs.

John Salley

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Michael Cooper: 1978-79 to 1989-90
John Salley: 1986-87 to 1999-00

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Michael Cooper 5 John Salley 4

NBA Seasons Michael Cooper 12 John Salley 11

Playoffs Played Michael Cooper 11 John Salley 9

All-Star Games Michael Cooper 0 John Salley 0

Honors and Awards

All-Defensive 1st Team Michael Cooper 5 John Salley 0

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Michael Cooper 8 John Salley 0

Defensive Player of The Year Michael Cooper 1 * John Salley 0

* Notes: Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 8.9 John Salley 7.0

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.2 John Salley 4.5

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 John Salley 1.2

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 John Salley 0.6

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 John Salley 1.3

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 7,729 John Salley 5,228

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 2,769 John Salley 3,356

Total Assists Michael Cooper 3,666 John Salley 916

Total Steals Michael Cooper 1,033 John Salley 451

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 523 John Salley 983

Total Games Michael Cooper 873 John Salley 748

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .469 John Salley .506

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .340 * John Salley .214

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .833 John Salley .714

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 11.9 (1982) John Salley 9.5 (1992)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.1 (1981) John Salley 6.1 (1993)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.9 (1984) John Salley 1.8 (1994)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.6 (1981) John Salley 0.7 (1994)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1981) John Salley 1.9 (1990)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 9.4 John Salley 6.4

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.4 John Salley 4.4

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 John Salley 0.8

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 John Salley 0.4

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 John Salley 1.2

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 1,581 John Salley 857

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 574 John Salley 588

Total Assists Michael Cooper 703 John Salley 104

Total Steals Michael Cooper 203 John Salley 49

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 96 John Salley 159

Total Games Michael Cooper 168 John Salley 134

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .468 John Salley .505

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .392 * John Salley .000

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .825 John Salley .690

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 13.0 (1987) John Salley 12.6 (1992)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.4 (1982) John Salley 8.0 (1994)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.7 (1984) John Salley 2.8 (1992)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 2.0 (1981) John Salley 0.7 (1988)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1984) John Salley 2.8 (1992)

Notes: * Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.