Andre Drummond vs. Don Nelson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Don Nelson and Andre Drummond, 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.

Andre Drummond played 12 years in the NBA, 2 less than Don Nelson, who played 14. Andre Drummond had the first of his seasons in 2012-13, while Don Nelson had his rookie season in 1962-63. 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
Andre Drummond 12 4 2012-13 to 2023-24
Don Nelson 14 11 1962-63 to 1975-76

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2012-131962-63
Team Detroit PistonsChicago Zephyrs
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie Second 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 %
Andre Drummond 60 20.7 7.9 2.8 4.8 7.6 0.5 1.0 1.6 1.0 2.4 3.5 5.7 .608 0.0 0.0 .500 1.0 2.7 .371
Don Nelson 62 17.3 6.8 - - 4.5 1.2 - - - 2.2 2.1 4.7 .440 - - - 2.6 3.6 .729
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2013-141963-64
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 81 32.3 13.5 5.4 7.8 13.2 0.4 1.2 1.6 1.4 3.4 5.9 9.5 .623 0.0 0.0 .000 1.7 4.0 .418
Don Nelson 80 17.6 5.2 - - 4.0 1.0 - - - 2.3 1.7 4.0 .418 - - - 1.9 2.5 .741
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 5 11.2 3.4 - - 2.6 0.4 - - - 2.2 1.4 2.6 .538 - - - 0.6 0.6 1.000

Season 3

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2014-151964-65
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 82 30.5 13.8 5.3 8.1 13.5 0.7 0.9 1.9 1.5 3.5 6.0 11.7 .514 0.0 0.0 .000 1.7 4.5 .389
Don Nelson 39 6.1 2.4 - - 1.9 0.6 - - - 1.0 0.9 2.2 .424 - - - 0.5 0.7 .769
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 11 19.3 6.1 - - 5.4 1.7 - - - 2.8 2.2 4.8 .453 - - - 1.7 2.3 .760

Season 4

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2015-161965-66
Team Detroit PistonsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 81 32.9 16.2 4.9 9.9 14.8 0.8 1.5 1.4 1.9 3.0 6.8 13.1 .521 0.0 0.1 .333 2.6 7.2 .355
Don Nelson 75 23.5 10.2 - - 5.4 1.1 - - - 2.5 3.6 8.2 .439 - - - 3.0 4.3 .684
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 4 32.8 16.8 3.0 6.0 9.0 0.0 0.3 1.5 1.0 2.0 7.0 13.5 .519 0.0 0.3 .000 2.8 8.5 .324
Don Nelson 17 18.6 8.4 - - 5.0 0.8 - - - 2.9 2.9 6.9 .424 - - - 2.5 3.1 .808

Season 5

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2016-171966-67
Team Detroit PistonsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCeltics Lost East Div Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 81 29.7 13.6 4.3 9.5 13.8 1.1 1.5 1.1 1.9 2.9 6.0 11.2 .530 0.0 0.1 .286 1.7 4.4 .386
Don Nelson 79 15.2 7.5 - - 3.7 0.8 - - - 1.8 2.9 6.4 .446 - - - 1.8 2.4 .742
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 9 15.8 7.1 - - 4.7 1.0 - - - 1.3 3.0 6.6 .458 - - - 1.1 1.9 .588

Season 6

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2017-181967-68
Team Detroit PistonsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement Rebounds Leader-
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 %
Andre Drummond 78 33.7 15.0 5.1 10.9 16.0 3.0 1.5 1.6 2.6 3.2 6.0 11.3 .529 0.0 0.1 .000 3.1 5.1 .605
Don Nelson 82 18.3 10.0 - - 5.3 1.3 - - - 2.2 3.8 7.7 .494 - - - 2.4 3.3 .728
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 19 24.6 12.5 - - 7.5 1.7 - - - 2.6 4.8 9.2 .520 - - - 2.9 3.9 .743

Season 7

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2018-191968-69
Team Detroit PistonsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 79 33.5 17.3 5.4 10.2 15.6 1.4 1.7 1.7 2.2 3.4 7.1 13.3 .533 0.1 0.5 .132 3.1 5.2 .590
Don Nelson 82 21.6 11.6 - - 5.6 1.1 - - - 2.4 4.6 9.4 .485 - - - 2.5 3.2 .776
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 4 31.8 14.3 5.0 8.0 13.0 2.3 1.5 1.3 2.8 4.3 6.0 13.5 .444 0.0 0.3 .000 2.3 5.3 .429
Don Nelson 18 19.3 12.4 - - 4.6 1.2 - - - 2.8 4.8 9.3 .518 - - - 2.8 3.3 .833

Season 8

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2019-201969-70
Team Detroit Pistons, Cleveland CavaliersBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement Rebounds Leader-
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 %
Andre Drummond 57 32.9 17.7 4.4 10.8 15.2 2.7 1.9 1.6 3.6 3.5 7.3 13.8 .533 0.1 0.6 .143 3.0 5.2 .575
Don Nelson 82 27.1 15.4 - - 7.3 1.8 - - - 2.9 5.6 11.2 .501 - - - 4.1 5.3 .775
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2020-211970-71
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles LakersBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West 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 %
Andre Drummond 46 27.0 14.9 3.6 8.4 12.0 2.0 1.4 1.1 2.7 3.2 6.1 12.4 .493 0.0 0.2 .000 2.7 4.5 .600
Don Nelson 82 27.5 13.9 - - 6.9 1.9 - - - 2.8 5.0 10.7 .468 - - - 3.9 5.2 .744
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 5 21.0 9.0 3.8 7.2 11.0 0.0 0.8 0.6 2.2 2.4 3.8 6.4 .594 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.0 .700
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2021-221971-72
Team Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn NetsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Nets Lost East Conf 1st RdCeltics 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 %
Andre Drummond 73 19.7 7.9 3.1 6.2 9.3 1.8 1.1 0.9 1.6 2.6 3.4 5.9 .570 0.0 0.0 .000 1.2 2.2 .524
Don Nelson 82 25.4 13.8 - - 5.5 2.3 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.9 .480 - - - 4.3 5.5 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond 4 15.0 3.8 0.8 2.3 3.0 0.8 1.3 0.8 1.5 3.0 1.5 2.8 .545 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.3 .600
Don Nelson 11 28.0 13.2 - - 5.5 1.9 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.0 .525 - - - 3.7 4.4 .854

Season 11

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2022-231972-73
Team Chicago BullsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
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 %
Andre Drummond 67 12.7 6.0 2.1 4.6 6.6 0.5 0.7 0.4 1.1 1.7 2.5 4.1 .606 0.0 0.0 .000 1.0 1.9 .536
Don Nelson 72 19.8 10.8 - - 4.4 1.4 - - - 2.2 4.3 9.0 .476 - - - 2.2 2.6 .846
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 13 23.3 11.0 - - 2.9 1.2 - - - 2.2 3.6 7.8 .465 - - - 3.8 4.3 .875

Season 12

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season 2023-241973-74
Team Chicago BullsBoston Celtics
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 %
Andre Drummond 79 17.1 8.4 3.4 5.6 9.0 0.5 0.9 0.6 1.0 1.8 3.4 6.1 .556 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 2.8 .592
Don Nelson 82 21.3 11.5 1.1 3.1 4.2 2.0 0.2 0.2 - 2.3 4.4 8.7 .508 - - - 2.6 3.3 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 18 25.9 11.4 1.4 4.0 5.4 1.9 0.4 0.2 - 3.0 4.6 9.1 .500 - - - 2.3 2.9 .774

Season 13

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season -1974-75
Team -Boston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Celtics 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 %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 79 26.0 14.0 1.6 4.3 5.9 2.3 0.4 0.2 - 3.0 5.4 9.9 .539 - - - 3.3 4.0 .827
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 11 24.9 15.4 1.6 2.5 4.1 2.4 0.2 0.2 - 3.3 6.0 10.6 .564 - - - 3.4 3.7 .902

Season 14

Andre Drummond Don Nelson
Season -1975-76
Team -Boston Celtics
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 %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 75 12.6 6.4 0.7 1.7 2.4 1.0 0.2 0.1 - 1.5 2.3 5.1 .462 - - - 1.7 2.1 .789
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Andre Drummond ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 18 17.5 9.1 0.9 2.0 2.9 0.9 0.2 0.1 - 2.6 2.9 6.0 .481 - - - 3.3 3.8 .870