Michael Cooper vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 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

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2025-26
Michael Cooper: 1978-79 to 1989-90
S. Gilgeous-Alexander: 2018-19 to 2024-25

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Michael Cooper 5 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1

NBA Seasons Michael Cooper 12 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 7

Playoffs Played Michael Cooper 11 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 4

All-Star Games Michael Cooper 0 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 3

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Michael Cooper 0 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1

Finals MVP Michael Cooper 0 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1

All-NBA First Team Michael Cooper 0 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 3

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Michael Cooper 0 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 3

All-Defensive 1st Team Michael Cooper 5 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 0

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Michael Cooper 8 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 0

Defensive Player of The Year Michael Cooper 1 * S. Gilgeous-Alexander 0

Scoring Leader Michael Cooper 0 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1

Steals Leader Michael Cooper 0 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1

NBA Cup 1st Team Michael Cooper 0 * S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1 *

* Notes: NBA Cup (In-Season Tournament) played since 2023-24. Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 8.9 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 24.4

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.2 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 4.8

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 5.1

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1.4

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 0.8

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 7,729 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 11,294

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 2,769 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 2,211

Total Assists Michael Cooper 3,666 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 2,362

Total Steals Michael Cooper 1,033 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 666

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 523 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 370

Total Games Michael Cooper 873 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 462

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .469 S. Gilgeous-Alexander .501

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .340 * S. Gilgeous-Alexander .355

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .833 S. Gilgeous-Alexander .862

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 11.9 (1982) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 32.7 (2025)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.1 (1981) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 5.9 (2020)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.9 (1984) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 6.4 (2025)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.6 (1981) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 2.0 (2024)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1981) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1.0 (2025)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 9.4 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 25.8

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.4 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 5.4

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 5.7

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1.4

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1.0

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 1,581 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1,186

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 574 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 248

Total Assists Michael Cooper 703 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 262

Total Steals Michael Cooper 203 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 64

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 96 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 45

Total Games Michael Cooper 168 S. Gilgeous-Alexander 46

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .468 S. Gilgeous-Alexander .468

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .392 * S. Gilgeous-Alexander .350

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .825 S. Gilgeous-Alexander .859

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 13.0 (1987) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 30.2 (2024)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.4 (1982) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 7.2 (2024)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.7 (1984) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 6.5 (2025)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 2.0 (1981) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1.7 (2025)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1984) S. Gilgeous-Alexander 1.7 (2024)

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