Cliff Robinson vs. Isiah Thomas Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Isiah Thomas and Cliff Robinson, 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 / Games against each other

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.

Cliff Robinson played 11 years in the NBA, 2 less than Isiah Thomas, who played 13. Cliff Robinson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Isiah Thomas had his rookie season in 1981-82. 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
Cliff Robinson 11 4 1979-80 to 1991-92
Isiah Thomas 13 9 1981-82 to 1993-94

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1979-801981-82
Team New Jersey NetsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Cliff Robinson 70 23.7 13.6 2.5 4.7 7.2 1.4 0.9 0.5 2.0 2.5 5.6 11.9 .469 0.0 0.1 .250 2.4 3.5 .694
Isiah Thomas 72 33.8 17.0 0.8 2.1 2.9 7.8 2.1 0.2 4.2 3.5 6.3 14.8 .424 0.2 0.8 .288 4.2 6.0 .704
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1980-811982-83
Team New Jersey NetsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Cliff Robinson 63 28.9 19.5 1.9 5.7 7.6 1.7 0.9 0.8 2.9 3.4 8.3 17.0 .491 0.0 0.0 1.000 2.8 3.9 .718
Isiah Thomas 81 38.2 22.9 1.3 2.8 4.0 7.8 2.5 0.4 4.0 3.9 9.0 19.0 .472 0.4 1.5 .288 4.5 6.4 .710
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1981-821983-84
Team Kansas City Kings, Cleveland CavaliersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons 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 %
Cliff Robinson 68 32.0 18.5 2.6 6.4 9.0 1.8 1.3 1.5 2.2 3.3 7.6 16.8 .453 0.0 0.1 .000 3.3 4.6 .709
Isiah Thomas 82 36.7 21.3 1.3 2.7 4.0 11.1 2.5 0.4 3.7 4.0 8.2 17.7 .462 0.3 0.8 .338 4.7 6.5 .733
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas 5 39.6 21.4 1.4 2.4 3.8 11.0 2.6 1.2 4.6 4.4 7.8 16.6 .470 0.4 1.2 .333 5.4 7.0 .771

Season 4

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1982-831984-85
Team Cleveland CavaliersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons 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 %
Cliff Robinson 77 33.8 18.0 2.5 8.6 11.1 1.9 0.8 0.8 2.9 3.5 7.6 16.0 .477 0.0 0.1 .000 2.8 3.9 .708
Isiah Thomas 81 38.1 21.2 1.4 3.0 4.5 13.9 2.3 0.3 3.7 3.6 8.0 17.4 .458 0.4 1.4 .257 4.9 6.1 .809
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas 9 39.4 24.3 1.2 4.0 5.2 11.2 2.1 0.4 3.3 4.3 9.2 18.4 .500 0.7 1.7 .400 5.2 6.9 .758

Season 5

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1983-841985-86
Team Cleveland CavaliersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons 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 %
Cliff Robinson 73 32.9 17.8 2.1 8.2 10.3 2.5 0.7 0.4 2.6 2.7 7.3 16.2 .450 0.0 0.0 .500 3.2 4.6 .701
Isiah Thomas 77 36.2 20.9 1.1 2.5 3.6 10.8 2.2 0.3 3.8 3.2 7.9 16.2 .488 0.3 1.1 .310 4.7 6.0 .790
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas 4 40.8 26.5 2.0 3.5 5.5 12.0 2.3 0.8 4.3 4.3 10.3 22.8 .451 0.0 1.3 .000 6.0 9.0 .667

Season 6

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1984-851986-87
Team Washington BulletsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bullets Lost East Conf 1st RdPistons 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 %
Cliff Robinson 60 31.2 16.7 2.4 6.8 9.1 2.5 0.9 0.8 2.7 3.1 7.0 14.9 .471 0.0 0.1 .333 2.6 3.6 .742
Isiah Thomas 81 37.2 20.6 1.0 2.9 3.9 10.0 1.9 0.2 4.2 3.1 7.7 16.7 .463 0.2 1.2 .194 4.9 6.4 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson 4 30.8 14.8 3.0 4.5 7.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.8 3.5 6.3 14.0 .446 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.0 .750
Isiah Thomas 15 37.5 24.1 1.4 3.1 4.5 8.7 2.6 0.3 2.8 3.4 8.9 19.8 .451 0.7 2.2 .303 5.5 7.3 .755

Season 7

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1985-861987-88
Team Washington BulletsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bullets Lost East Conf 1st RdPistons Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson 78 32.9 18.7 2.3 6.4 8.7 2.4 1.3 0.6 2.6 2.8 7.6 16.1 .474 0.0 0.1 .250 3.4 4.5 .762
Isiah Thomas 81 36.1 19.5 0.8 2.6 3.4 8.4 1.7 0.2 3.4 2.7 7.7 16.6 .463 0.4 1.2 .309 3.8 4.9 .774
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson 5 35.4 21.4 3.4 5.2 8.6 3.4 2.0 0.6 3.0 3.8 9.2 18.6 .495 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 6.2 .484
Isiah Thomas 23 39.6 21.9 1.1 3.5 4.7 8.7 2.9 0.3 3.7 3.1 8.0 18.2 .437 0.6 1.9 .295 5.4 6.6 .828

Season 8

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1986-871988-89
Team Philadelphia 76ersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs 76ers 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 %
Cliff Robinson 55 28.8 14.8 1.6 4.0 5.6 1.6 1.6 0.5 2.2 2.7 6.1 13.3 .464 0.0 0.1 .000 2.5 3.3 .755
Isiah Thomas 80 36.6 18.2 0.6 2.8 3.4 8.3 1.7 0.3 3.7 2.6 7.1 15.3 .464 0.4 1.5 .273 3.6 4.4 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson 5 27.6 14.6 2.0 6.6 8.6 1.2 0.6 1.4 1.6 3.0 6.0 12.2 .492 0.0 0.0 - 2.6 3.0 .867
Isiah Thomas 17 37.2 18.2 1.4 2.9 4.3 8.3 1.6 0.2 2.5 2.3 6.8 16.4 .412 0.5 1.8 .267 4.2 5.6 .740

Season 9

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1987-881989-90
Team Philadelphia 76ersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-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 %
Cliff Robinson 62 34.0 19.0 1.9 4.7 6.5 2.1 1.3 0.6 2.6 3.1 7.8 16.8 .464 0.0 0.1 .222 3.4 4.7 .717
Isiah Thomas 81 37.0 18.4 0.9 2.9 3.8 9.4 1.7 0.2 4.0 2.5 7.1 16.3 .438 0.5 1.7 .309 3.6 4.7 .775
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas 20 37.9 20.5 1.1 4.4 5.5 8.2 2.2 0.4 3.6 3.3 7.4 16.0 .463 1.6 3.4 .471 4.1 5.1 .794

Season 10

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1988-891990-91
Team Philadelphia 76ersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons 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 %
Cliff Robinson 14 29.7 15.1 1.4 4.0 5.4 2.3 1.2 0.1 2.4 2.6 6.4 13.4 .481 0.0 0.1 .000 2.3 3.1 .727
Isiah Thomas 48 34.5 16.2 0.7 2.6 3.3 9.3 1.6 0.2 3.9 2.5 6.0 13.9 .435 0.4 1.4 .292 3.7 4.8 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas 13 33.5 13.5 1.0 3.2 4.2 8.5 1.0 0.2 3.2 3.2 4.6 11.5 .403 0.5 1.7 .273 3.8 5.3 .725

Note: Cliff Robinson didn't play in 1989-90 and 1990-91.

Season 11

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season 1991-921991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdPistons 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 %
Cliff Robinson 9 8.7 3.2 0.8 1.3 2.1 1.0 0.6 0.0 0.8 0.4 1.2 3.0 .407 0.0 0.1 .000 0.8 0.9 .875
Isiah Thomas 78 37.4 18.5 0.9 2.3 3.2 7.2 1.5 0.2 3.2 2.5 7.2 16.2 .446 0.3 1.1 .291 3.7 4.8 .772
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson 3 8.0 3.7 0.7 1.3 2.0 0.3 1.0 0.3 0.7 2.0 1.0 3.3 .300 0.0 0.0 - 1.7 2.7 .625
Isiah Thomas 5 40.0 14.0 0.6 4.6 5.2 7.4 1.0 0.0 3.2 3.6 4.4 13.0 .338 0.8 2.2 .364 4.4 5.6 .786

Season 12

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season -1992-93
Team -Detroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas 79 37.0 17.6 0.9 2.0 2.9 8.5 1.6 0.2 3.6 2.8 6.7 15.9 .418 0.8 2.5 .308 3.5 4.8 .737
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Cliff Robinson Isiah Thomas
Season -1993-94
Team -Detroit Pistons
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas 58 30.2 14.8 0.8 1.9 2.7 6.9 1.2 0.1 3.5 2.2 5.5 13.2 .417 0.7 2.2 .310 3.1 4.4 .702
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Cliff Robinson ------- --- ----------
Isiah Thomas ------- --- ----------