David Robinson vs. Joe Smith Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Joe Smith and David 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.

David Robinson played 14 years in the NBA, 2 less than Joe Smith, who played 16. David Robinson had the first of his seasons in 1989-90, while Joe Smith had his rookie season in 1995-96. 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
David Robinson 14 12 1989-90 to 2002-03
Joe Smith 16 10 1995-96 to 2010-11

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1989-901995-96
Team San Antonio SpursGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rookie of the Year-
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 82 36.6 24.3 3.7 8.3 12.0 2.0 1.7 3.9 3.1 3.2 8.4 15.9 .531 0.0 0.0 .000 7.5 10.2 .732
Joe Smith 82 34.4 15.3 3.7 5.1 8.7 1.0 1.0 1.6 1.7 2.7 5.7 12.5 .458 0.1 0.3 .357 3.7 4.8 .773
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 10 37.5 24.3 3.6 8.4 12.0 2.3 1.1 4.0 2.4 3.5 8.9 16.7 .533 0.0 0.0 - 6.5 9.6 .677
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 2
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1990-911996-97
Team San Antonio SpursGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs 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 %
David Robinson 82 37.7 25.6 4.1 8.9 13.0 2.5 1.5 3.9 3.3 3.2 9.2 16.7 .552 0.0 0.1 .143 7.2 9.5 .762
Joe Smith 80 38.6 18.7 3.3 5.2 8.5 1.6 0.9 1.1 2.4 3.1 7.3 16.2 .454 0.2 0.6 .261 3.8 4.7 .814
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 4 41.5 25.8 2.8 10.8 13.5 2.0 1.5 3.8 3.8 2.8 8.8 12.8 .686 0.0 0.3 .000 8.3 9.5 .868
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 3
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1991-921997-98
Team San Antonio SpursGolden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers
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 PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 68 37.7 23.2 3.8 8.4 12.2 2.7 2.3 4.5 2.7 3.2 8.7 15.8 .551 0.0 0.1 .125 5.8 8.3 .701
Joe Smith 79 29.7 14.6 2.5 3.4 6.0 1.2 0.8 0.6 2.0 3.3 5.9 13.5 .434 0.0 0.1 .000 2.9 3.7 .775
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson ------- --- ----------
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 4
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1992-931998-99
Team San Antonio SpursMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisTimberwolves 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 %
David Robinson 82 39.2 23.4 2.8 8.9 11.7 3.7 1.5 3.2 2.9 2.9 8.2 16.4 .501 0.0 0.2 .176 6.8 9.3 .732
Joe Smith 43 33.0 13.7 3.6 4.7 8.2 1.6 0.7 1.5 1.5 3.4 5.2 12.1 .427 0.0 0.1 .000 3.3 4.4 .755
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 10 42.1 23.1 2.9 9.7 12.6 4.0 1.0 3.6 2.5 3.9 7.9 17.0 .465 0.0 0.1 .000 7.3 11.0 .664
Joe Smith 4 30.0 7.5 2.5 4.0 6.5 1.3 0.5 2.0 1.3 3.8 2.8 9.3 .297 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 2.8 .727

Season 5
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1993-941999-00
Team San Antonio SpursMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf 1st RdTimberwolves 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 %
David Robinson 80 40.5 29.8 3.0 7.7 10.7 4.8 1.7 3.3 3.2 2.9 10.5 20.7 .507 0.1 0.4 .345 8.7 11.6 .749
Joe Smith 78 25.3 9.9 2.4 3.8 6.2 1.1 0.6 1.1 1.5 3.9 3.7 8.0 .464 0.0 0.0 1.000 2.5 3.3 .756
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 4 36.5 20.0 3.3 6.8 10.0 3.5 0.8 2.5 2.3 3.5 7.5 18.3 .411 0.0 0.3 .000 5.0 6.8 .741
Joe Smith 4 19.8 4.5 1.8 1.3 3.0 0.3 0.8 0.3 1.0 3.8 2.0 4.3 .471 0.0 0.3 .000 0.5 0.5 1.000

Season 6
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1994-952000-01
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 81 38.0 27.6 2.9 7.9 10.8 2.9 1.7 3.2 2.9 2.8 9.7 18.4 .530 0.1 0.2 .300 8.1 10.5 .774
Joe Smith 69 28.1 12.3 2.3 4.8 7.1 1.1 0.7 0.7 1.3 3.7 4.5 11.1 .403 0.0 0.1 .000 3.3 4.2 .805
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 15 41.5 25.3 3.8 8.3 12.1 3.1 1.5 2.6 3.7 4.2 8.6 19.3 .446 0.1 0.3 .200 8.1 9.9 .812
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 7
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1995-962001-02
Team San Antonio SpursMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisTimberwolves 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 %
David Robinson 82 36.8 25.0 3.9 8.3 12.2 3.0 1.4 3.3 2.3 3.2 8.7 16.8 .516 0.0 0.1 .333 7.6 10.0 .761
Joe Smith 72 26.7 10.7 2.1 4.2 6.3 1.1 0.5 0.8 1.2 3.5 4.1 8.1 .511 0.0 0.0 .667 2.4 2.9 .830
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 10 35.3 23.6 3.7 6.4 10.1 2.4 1.5 2.5 2.4 3.8 8.3 16.1 .516 0.0 0.0 - 7.0 10.5 .667
Joe Smith 3 14.3 4.3 1.3 2.3 3.7 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 2.7 1.0 2.3 .429 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 2.7 .875

Season 8
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1996-972002-03
Team San Antonio SpursMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayTimberwolves 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 %
David Robinson 6 24.5 17.7 3.2 5.3 8.5 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.5 6.0 12.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 5.7 8.7 .654
Joe Smith 54 20.7 7.5 2.1 2.9 5.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 0.8 3.2 2.8 6.1 .460 0.0 0.0 .000 1.9 2.4 .779
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson ------- --- ----------
Joe Smith 5 8.0 2.8 0.0 1.2 1.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 2.8 0.8 1.2 .667 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 1.2 1.000

Season 9
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1997-982003-04
Team San Antonio SpursMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisBucks 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 %
David Robinson 73 33.7 21.6 3.3 7.3 10.6 2.7 0.9 2.6 2.8 2.8 7.5 14.6 .511 0.0 0.1 .250 6.6 9.0 .735
Joe Smith 76 29.7 10.9 3.0 5.4 8.5 1.0 0.6 1.2 1.1 2.8 4.1 9.3 .439 0.0 0.1 .200 2.7 3.2 .859
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 9 39.2 19.4 4.6 9.6 14.1 2.6 1.2 3.3 2.8 3.1 6.3 14.9 .425 0.0 0.0 - 6.8 10.7 .635
Joe Smith 5 35.4 13.2 4.6 5.4 10.0 0.4 0.8 2.0 1.2 3.0 5.4 11.0 .491 0.0 0.2 .000 2.4 2.6 .923

Season 10
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1998-992004-05
Team San Antonio SpursMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 49 31.7 15.8 3.0 7.0 10.0 2.1 1.4 2.4 2.2 2.9 5.5 10.8 .509 0.0 0.0 .000 4.9 7.4 .658
Joe Smith 74 30.6 11.0 2.4 4.9 7.3 0.9 0.6 0.5 1.1 3.0 4.3 8.4 .514 0.0 0.0 .000 2.4 3.1 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 17 35.4 15.6 2.1 7.8 9.9 2.5 1.6 2.4 2.4 3.6 5.1 10.6 .483 0.0 0.0 - 5.4 7.4 .722
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 11
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 1999-002005-06
Team San Antonio SpursMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf 1st RdBucks 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 %
David Robinson 80 32.0 17.8 2.4 7.2 9.6 1.8 1.2 2.3 2.1 3.1 6.6 12.9 .512 0.0 0.0 .000 4.6 6.4 .726
Joe Smith 44 20.2 8.6 1.9 3.3 5.2 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.9 2.7 3.3 6.9 .475 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.6 .774
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 4 38.8 23.5 4.3 9.5 13.8 2.5 1.8 3.0 2.0 3.8 7.8 20.8 .373 0.0 0.3 .000 8.0 10.5 .762
Joe Smith 5 21.2 7.6 1.2 4.2 5.4 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.2 3.2 3.2 6.6 .485 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 1.8 .667

Season 12
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 2000-012006-07
Team San Antonio SpursDenver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 80 29.6 14.4 2.6 6.0 8.6 1.5 1.0 2.5 1.5 2.7 5.0 10.3 .486 0.0 0.0 .000 4.4 5.9 .747
Joe Smith 65 23.1 8.5 1.8 4.3 6.2 0.8 0.6 0.4 1.2 2.3 3.3 7.3 .449 0.0 0.1 .000 1.9 2.3 .845
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 13 31.4 16.6 3.0 8.8 11.8 1.7 1.3 2.4 2.2 3.2 5.8 12.2 .472 0.0 0.1 .000 5.1 7.3 .695
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 13
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 2001-022007-08
Team San Antonio SpursChicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisCavaliers 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 %
David Robinson 78 29.5 12.2 2.4 5.8 8.3 1.2 1.1 1.8 1.3 2.5 4.4 8.6 .507 0.0 0.0 - 3.4 5.1 .681
Joe Smith 77 22.4 10.1 2.1 3.1 5.2 0.9 0.4 0.6 0.9 2.4 4.1 8.5 .478 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.6 .755
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 4 20.5 4.5 1.5 4.3 5.8 1.3 0.8 0.8 0.5 3.5 2.3 4.8 .474 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 1.0 .000
Joe Smith 13 20.2 6.6 1.5 3.1 4.6 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 3.2 2.8 5.7 .486 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 1.7 .636

Season 14
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season 2002-032008-09
Team San Antonio SpursOklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionCavaliers 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 %
David Robinson 64 26.2 8.5 2.5 5.4 7.9 1.0 0.8 1.7 1.3 2.0 3.1 6.6 .469 0.0 0.0 - 2.4 3.3 .710
Joe Smith 57 19.3 6.6 1.6 3.1 4.6 0.7 0.3 0.7 0.4 2.1 2.7 5.8 .468 0.1 0.1 .429 1.0 1.4 .720
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson 23 23.5 7.8 2.0 4.7 6.6 0.9 0.8 1.3 1.0 2.7 2.8 5.1 .542 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.4 .667
Joe Smith 13 16.8 5.5 0.8 2.9 3.7 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.9 1.8 3.8 .460 0.2 0.4 .600 1.8 2.2 .793

Season 15
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season -2009-10
Team -Atlanta Hawks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Hawks 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 %
David Robinson ------- --- ----------
Joe Smith 64 9.3 3.0 1.0 1.4 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.5 1.2 3.0 .399 0.0 0.1 .143 0.6 0.8 .813
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson ------- --- ----------
Joe Smith 5 4.8 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.6 .000 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -

Season 16
David Robinson Joe Smith
Season -2010-11
Team -New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Lakers 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 %
David Robinson ------- --- ----------
Joe Smith 16 4.3 0.5 0.2 1.1 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.8 0.2 1.0 .188 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.1 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
David Robinson ------- --- ----------
Joe Smith 5 2.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.4 .000 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
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