Derek Harper vs. Hakeem Olajuwon Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Hakeem Olajuwon and Derek Harper, 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.

Derek Harper played 16 years in the NBA, 2 less than Hakeem Olajuwon, who played 18. Derek Harper had the first of his seasons in 1983-84, 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
Derek Harper 16 10 1983-84 to 1998-99
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1983-841984-85
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks 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 %
Derek Harper 82 20.9 5.7 0.6 1.5 2.1 2.9 1.2 0.3 1.4 1.7 2.4 5.5 .443 0.0 0.3 .115 0.8 1.2 .673
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 %
Derek Harper 10 22.6 5.0 0.8 1.2 2.0 2.8 1.1 0.2 0.6 1.6 2.1 5.4 .389 0.3 0.8 .375 0.5 0.7 .714
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1984-851985-86
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Derek Harper 82 27.0 9.6 0.6 1.9 2.4 4.4 1.8 0.5 1.5 2.4 4.0 7.7 .520 0.3 0.7 .344 1.4 1.9 .721
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 %
Derek Harper 4 33.0 6.5 0.3 2.8 3.0 5.0 1.5 0.3 1.0 3.0 2.5 5.3 .476 0.3 0.8 .333 1.3 1.8 .714
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1985-861986-87
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf SemisRockets 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 %
Derek Harper 79 27.2 12.2 0.9 1.9 2.9 5.3 1.9 0.3 1.8 2.1 4.9 9.2 .534 0.2 0.6 .235 2.2 2.9 .747
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 %
Derek Harper 10 34.8 13.4 1.3 0.6 1.9 7.6 2.3 0.0 2.3 2.7 5.7 10.7 .533 0.8 1.4 .571 1.2 1.6 .750
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1986-871987-88
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Derek Harper 77 33.2 16.0 0.7 1.9 2.6 7.9 2.2 0.3 1.8 2.5 6.5 12.9 .501 1.0 2.8 .358 2.1 3.0 .684
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 %
Derek Harper 4 30.8 16.5 0.5 2.5 3.0 6.8 1.8 0.0 1.3 1.8 5.0 10.0 .500 0.5 2.3 .222 6.0 7.5 .800
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1987-881988-89
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West 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 %
Derek Harper 82 37.0 17.0 0.9 2.1 3.0 7.7 2.0 0.4 2.3 2.0 6.5 14.2 .459 0.7 2.3 .313 3.2 4.2 .759
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 %
Derek Harper 17 35.4 13.5 0.6 1.9 2.5 7.1 1.9 0.3 1.9 2.6 5.2 11.9 .441 0.5 2.1 .250 2.5 3.5 .729
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1988-891989-90
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement Blocks Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Derek Harper 81 36.6 17.3 0.6 2.2 2.8 7.0 2.1 0.5 2.5 2.7 6.6 13.9 .477 1.2 3.4 .356 2.8 3.5 .806
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1989-901990-91
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Defensive Second TeamAchievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Blocks Leader
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Derek Harper 82 36.7 18.0 0.7 2.3 3.0 7.4 2.3 0.3 2.5 2.7 6.9 14.2 .488 1.1 2.9 .371 3.0 3.8 .794
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 %
Derek Harper 3 39.7 19.3 0.7 2.0 2.7 7.7 1.3 0.0 4.0 4.3 7.0 16.0 .438 1.7 5.3 .313 3.7 5.3 .688
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1990-911991-92
Team Dallas MavericksHouston 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 %
Derek Harper 77 37.4 19.7 0.8 2.3 3.0 7.1 1.9 0.2 2.3 2.9 7.4 15.9 .467 1.2 3.2 .362 3.7 5.1 .731
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1991-921992-93
Team Dallas MavericksHouston 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 %
Derek Harper 65 34.6 17.7 0.8 1.9 2.6 5.7 1.6 0.3 2.4 2.3 6.9 15.6 .443 0.9 2.9 .312 3.0 4.0 .759
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1992-931993-94
Team Dallas MavericksHouston 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 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 %
Derek Harper 62 34.0 18.2 0.7 1.3 2.0 5.4 1.3 0.3 2.2 2.3 6.3 15.1 .419 1.6 4.1 .393 3.9 5.1 .756
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1993-941994-95
Team Dallas Mavericks, New York KnicksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Knicks 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 %
Derek Harper 82 26.9 9.6 0.2 1.5 1.7 4.1 1.5 0.1 1.6 2.0 3.7 9.1 .407 0.9 2.5 .360 1.4 2.0 .687
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 %
Derek Harper 23 32.6 11.4 0.6 1.8 2.3 4.5 1.8 0.0 1.8 2.7 4.3 10.0 .429 1.3 3.7 .341 1.6 2.4 .643
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1994-951995-96
Team New York KnicksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Knicks Lost East Conf SemisRockets 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 %
Derek Harper 80 34.0 11.5 0.4 2.0 2.4 5.7 1.0 0.1 1.9 2.7 4.2 9.5 .446 1.3 3.7 .363 1.7 2.4 .724
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 %
Derek Harper 11 35.3 14.3 0.5 3.0 3.5 5.6 1.0 0.1 2.4 2.6 5.1 9.9 .514 2.5 4.3 .574 1.6 2.2 .750
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1995-961996-97
Team New York KnicksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Knicks Lost East 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 %
Derek Harper 82 35.3 14.0 0.4 2.1 2.5 4.3 1.6 0.1 2.2 2.5 5.3 11.5 .464 1.5 4.0 .372 1.9 2.5 .757
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 %
Derek Harper 8 36.6 10.0 0.0 2.1 2.1 4.8 1.3 0.1 1.8 3.0 3.6 10.3 .354 1.4 4.4 .314 1.4 1.9 .733
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1996-971997-98
Team Dallas MavericksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Derek Harper 75 29.5 10.0 0.4 1.4 1.8 4.3 1.2 0.2 1.8 1.9 4.0 9.0 .444 0.8 2.3 .341 1.3 1.7 .742
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1997-981998-99
Team Orlando MagicHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Derek Harper 66 26.7 8.6 0.3 1.2 1.6 3.5 1.1 0.2 1.5 2.1 3.4 8.2 .417 0.9 2.5 .360 0.8 1.2 .696
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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

Derek Harper Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1998-991999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Derek Harper 45 24.9 6.9 0.3 1.2 1.5 4.2 1.0 0.1 1.2 1.5 2.7 6.5 .412 1.0 2.6 .368 0.6 0.7 .813
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 %
Derek Harper 7 16.0 4.3 0.1 1.3 1.4 2.1 0.3 0.0 0.6 0.3 1.9 4.4 .419 0.1 1.4 .100 0.4 0.9 .500
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Derek Harper 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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Derek Harper 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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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 %
Derek Harper ------- --- ----------
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