Danny Ainge vs. Hakeem Olajuwon Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Hakeem Olajuwon and Danny Ainge, 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.

Danny Ainge played 14 years in the NBA, 4 less than Hakeem Olajuwon, who played 18. Danny Ainge had the first of his seasons in 1981-82, while Hakeem Olajuwon had his rookie season in 1984-85. 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
Danny Ainge 14 12 1981-82 to 1994-95
Hakeem Olajuwon 18 15 1984-85 to 2001-02

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18

Rookie Season

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1981-821984-85
Team Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsRockets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 53 10.6 4.1 0.5 0.6 1.1 1.6 0.7 0.1 1.0 1.6 1.5 4.2 .357 0.1 0.3 .294 1.1 1.2 .862
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 35.5 20.6 5.4 6.5 11.9 1.4 1.2 2.7 2.9 4.2 8.3 15.3 .538 0.0 0.0 - 4.1 6.7 .613
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 10 12.9 5.0 0.6 0.7 1.3 1.1 0.2 0.1 1.1 2.1 1.9 4.5 .422 0.2 0.4 .500 1.0 1.3 .769
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 37.4 21.2 6.6 6.4 13.0 1.4 1.4 2.6 2.2 4.4 8.4 17.6 .477 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 9.2 .478

Season 2

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1982-831985-86
Team Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf SemisRockets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 80 25.6 9.9 1.0 1.6 2.7 3.1 1.4 0.1 1.2 3.2 4.5 9.0 .496 0.1 0.4 .172 0.9 1.2 .742
Hakeem Olajuwon 68 36.3 23.5 4.9 6.6 11.5 2.0 2.0 3.4 2.9 4.0 9.2 17.5 .526 0.0 0.0 - 5.1 7.9 .645
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 7 28.7 9.4 0.3 1.7 2.0 3.6 0.7 0.1 0.9 3.4 4.0 10.3 .389 0.3 0.7 .400 1.1 1.6 .727
Hakeem Olajuwon 20 38.3 26.9 5.1 6.8 11.8 2.0 2.0 3.5 2.2 4.4 10.3 19.4 .530 0.0 0.1 .000 6.4 10.0 .638

Season 3

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1983-841986-87
Team Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionRockets Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 71 16.3 5.4 0.4 1.2 1.6 2.3 0.6 0.1 1.0 2.0 2.3 5.1 .460 0.1 0.3 .273 0.6 0.8 .821
Hakeem Olajuwon 75 36.8 23.4 4.2 7.2 11.4 2.9 1.9 3.4 3.0 3.9 9.0 17.8 .508 0.0 0.1 .200 5.3 7.6 .702
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 19 13.3 4.8 0.2 0.6 0.8 2.0 0.5 0.1 0.7 1.9 2.2 4.7 .456 0.1 0.5 .222 0.4 0.5 .700
Hakeem Olajuwon 10 38.9 29.2 3.9 7.4 11.3 2.5 1.3 4.3 3.6 4.4 11.0 17.9 .615 0.0 0.1 .000 7.2 9.7 .742

Season 4

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1984-851987-88
Team Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost NBA FinalsRockets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 75 34.2 12.9 1.0 2.6 3.6 5.3 1.6 0.1 2.0 3.0 5.6 10.6 .529 0.2 0.7 .268 1.6 1.8 .868
Hakeem Olajuwon 79 35.8 22.8 3.8 8.3 12.1 2.1 2.1 2.7 3.1 4.1 9.0 17.5 .514 0.0 0.1 .000 4.8 6.9 .695
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 21 32.7 11.0 1.0 1.8 2.8 5.8 1.5 0.0 1.5 3.6 4.6 9.9 .466 0.3 0.8 .438 1.4 1.9 .769
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 37.5 5.0 11.8 16.8 1.8 2.3 2.8 2.3 3.5 14.0 24.5 .571 0.0 0.3 .000 9.5 10.8 .884

Season 5

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1985-861988-89
Team Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionRockets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 80 30.1 10.7 0.6 2.4 2.9 5.1 1.2 0.1 1.6 2.6 4.4 8.8 .504 0.3 0.9 .356 1.5 1.7 .904
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 36.9 24.8 4.1 9.4 13.5 1.8 2.6 3.4 3.4 4.0 9.6 19.0 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 5.5 8.0 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 18 36.2 15.6 1.2 3.0 4.2 5.2 2.3 0.1 1.7 3.2 5.9 10.7 .554 0.8 1.9 .412 2.9 3.3 .867
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 25.3 3.5 9.5 13.0 3.0 2.5 2.8 2.5 4.3 10.5 20.3 .519 0.0 0.0 - 4.3 6.3 .680

Season 6

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1986-871989-90
Team Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement Blocks Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost NBA FinalsRockets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 71 35.2 14.8 0.7 2.7 3.4 5.6 1.4 0.2 2.0 2.7 5.8 11.9 .486 1.2 2.7 .443 2.1 2.3 .897
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 38.1 24.3 3.6 10.4 14.0 2.9 2.1 4.6 3.9 3.8 9.8 19.6 .501 0.0 0.1 .167 4.7 6.5 .713
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 20 38.1 14.8 0.7 2.0 2.6 4.6 1.2 0.2 2.1 3.1 5.8 11.9 .487 1.6 3.7 .438 1.6 1.8 .861
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.3 18.5 3.8 7.8 11.5 2.0 2.5 5.8 2.8 4.8 7.8 17.5 .443 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 4.3 .706

Season 7

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1987-881990-91
Team Boston CelticsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Blocks Leader
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsRockets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 81 37.3 15.7 0.7 2.3 3.1 6.2 1.4 0.2 1.9 2.5 6.0 12.1 .491 1.8 4.4 .415 2.0 2.2 .878
Hakeem Olajuwon 56 36.8 21.2 3.9 9.8 13.8 2.3 2.2 3.9 3.1 3.9 8.7 17.1 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 3.8 4.9 .769
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 17 39.4 11.6 0.9 2.2 3.1 6.4 0.5 0.1 2.4 3.8 4.2 10.8 .386 1.1 3.4 .328 2.2 2.5 .881
Hakeem Olajuwon 3 43.0 22.0 4.0 10.7 14.7 2.0 1.3 2.7 2.7 3.7 8.7 15.0 .578 0.0 0.3 .000 4.7 5.7 .824

Season 8

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1988-891991-92
Team Boston Celtics, Sacramento KingsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -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 %
Danny Ainge 73 32.6 17.5 1.0 2.5 3.5 5.5 1.3 0.1 2.0 2.5 6.6 14.4 .457 1.6 4.2 .380 2.8 3.3 .854
Hakeem Olajuwon 70 37.7 21.6 3.5 8.6 12.1 2.2 1.8 4.3 2.7 3.8 8.4 16.8 .502 0.0 0.0 .000 4.7 6.1 .766
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1989-901992-93
Team Sacramento KingsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Defensive Player of the Year
-Achievement Blocks Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 75 36.4 17.9 0.9 3.4 4.3 6.0 1.5 0.2 2.5 3.2 6.7 15.4 .438 1.4 3.9 .374 3.0 3.6 .831
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 39.5 26.1 3.5 9.6 13.0 3.5 1.8 4.2 3.2 3.7 10.3 19.5 .529 0.0 0.1 .000 5.4 7.0 .779
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 12 43.2 25.7 4.3 9.7 14.0 4.8 1.8 4.9 3.8 3.1 10.3 19.8 .517 0.0 0.1 .000 5.2 6.3 .827

Season 10

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1990-911993-94
Team Portland Trail BlazersHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Defensive Player of the Year
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Trail Blazers Lost West Conf FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 80 21.4 11.1 0.6 2.0 2.6 3.6 0.8 0.2 1.3 2.4 4.2 8.9 .472 1.3 3.1 .406 1.4 1.7 .826
Hakeem Olajuwon 80 41.0 27.3 2.9 9.1 11.9 3.6 1.6 3.7 3.4 3.6 11.2 21.2 .528 0.1 0.2 .421 4.9 6.8 .716
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 16 17.3 8.0 0.1 1.7 1.8 1.9 0.8 0.3 1.5 2.1 2.9 6.6 .448 0.7 2.3 .306 1.4 1.8 .821
Hakeem Olajuwon 23 43.0 28.9 2.4 8.7 11.0 4.3 1.7 4.0 3.6 3.6 11.6 22.3 .519 0.1 0.2 .500 5.6 7.0 .795

Season 11

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1991-921994-95
Team Portland Trail BlazersHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Trail Blazers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 81 19.7 9.7 0.5 1.3 1.8 2.5 0.9 0.2 0.9 1.8 3.7 8.3 .442 1.0 2.8 .339 1.3 1.6 .824
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 39.6 27.8 2.4 8.4 10.8 3.5 1.8 3.4 3.3 3.5 11.1 21.5 .517 0.0 0.2 .188 5.6 7.5 .756
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 21 21.4 10.6 0.4 1.5 1.9 2.3 0.7 0.0 1.2 2.8 3.9 8.0 .479 1.0 2.5 .404 1.9 2.2 .830
Hakeem Olajuwon 22 42.2 33.0 2.0 8.3 10.3 4.5 1.2 2.8 3.1 4.3 13.9 26.2 .531 0.1 0.2 .500 5.0 7.4 .681

Season 12

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1992-931995-96
Team Phoenix SunsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Suns Lost NBA FinalsRockets Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 80 27.0 11.8 0.6 2.1 2.7 3.3 0.9 0.1 1.4 2.2 4.2 9.1 .462 1.9 4.7 .403 1.5 1.8 .848
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 38.8 26.9 2.4 8.4 10.9 3.6 1.6 2.9 3.4 3.4 10.7 20.8 .514 0.0 0.2 .214 5.5 7.6 .724
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 24 24.6 8.1 0.8 1.7 2.5 2.3 0.5 0.1 0.9 2.5 2.7 7.1 .376 1.4 3.3 .413 1.4 1.6 .872
Hakeem Olajuwon 8 41.1 22.4 2.1 7.0 9.1 3.9 1.9 2.1 3.6 3.5 9.4 18.4 .510 0.0 0.1 .000 3.6 5.0 .725

Season 13

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1993-941996-97
Team Phoenix SunsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisRockets Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 68 22.9 8.9 0.4 1.5 1.9 2.6 0.8 0.1 1.2 2.1 3.3 7.9 .417 1.2 3.6 .328 1.1 1.4 .830
Hakeem Olajuwon 78 36.6 23.2 2.2 7.0 9.2 3.0 1.5 2.2 3.6 3.2 9.3 18.3 .510 0.1 0.2 .313 4.5 5.7 .787
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 10 23.0 8.6 0.7 1.6 2.3 2.1 0.6 0.1 0.5 2.6 2.7 5.9 .458 1.7 4.0 .425 1.5 2.1 .714
Hakeem Olajuwon 16 39.4 23.1 2.9 8.0 10.9 3.4 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.8 9.2 15.6 .590 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.5 .731

Season 14

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1994-951997-98
Team Phoenix SunsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisRockets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 74 18.6 7.7 0.3 1.1 1.5 2.8 0.6 0.1 1.1 2.1 2.6 5.7 .460 1.1 2.9 .364 1.4 1.8 .808
Hakeem Olajuwon 47 34.7 16.4 2.5 7.3 9.8 3.0 1.8 2.0 2.7 3.2 6.5 13.5 .483 0.0 0.1 .000 3.4 4.5 .755
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge 10 13.7 6.0 0.2 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.6 1.5 1.9 3.8 .500 1.2 2.6 .462 1.0 1.1 .909
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 38.0 20.4 1.8 9.0 10.8 2.4 1.0 3.2 2.6 3.6 7.8 19.8 .394 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.6 .727

Season 15

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -1998-99
Team -Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Playoffs -Rockets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 50 35.7 18.9 2.1 7.4 9.6 1.8 1.6 2.5 2.8 3.2 7.5 14.5 .514 0.1 0.3 .308 3.9 5.4 .717
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 31.0 13.3 1.3 6.0 7.3 0.5 1.3 0.8 1.3 4.5 5.8 13.5 .426 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.0 .875

Season 16

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -1999-00
Team -Houston Rockets
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 %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 44 23.8 10.3 1.5 4.8 6.2 1.4 0.9 1.6 1.7 2.0 4.4 9.6 .458 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 2.5 .616
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -2000-01
Team -Houston Rockets
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 %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 58 26.6 11.9 2.1 5.3 7.4 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.4 2.4 4.9 9.8 .498 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.4 .621
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Danny Ainge Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -2001-02
Team -Toronto Raptors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Raptors 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 %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 61 22.6 7.1 1.6 4.4 6.0 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.6 2.4 3.2 6.9 .464 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.4 .560
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Danny Ainge ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 17.2 5.6 1.8 2.0 3.8 0.4 1.4 0.8 1.2 1.8 2.4 4.4 .545 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.2 .667