Don Nelson vs. John Stockton Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of John Stockton and Don Nelson, 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.

Don Nelson played 14 years in the NBA, 5 less than John Stockton, who played 19. Don Nelson had the first of his seasons in 1962-63, while John Stockton 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
Don Nelson 14 11 1962-63 to 1975-76
John Stockton 19 19 1984-85 to 2002-03

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19

Rookie Season

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1962-631984-85
Team Chicago ZephyrsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 62 17.3 6.8 - - 4.5 1.2 - - - 2.2 2.1 4.7 .440 - - - 2.6 3.6 .729
John Stockton 82 18.2 5.6 0.3 1.0 1.3 5.1 1.3 0.1 1.8 2.5 1.9 4.1 .471 0.0 0.1 .182 1.7 2.4 .736
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 10 18.6 6.8 0.7 2.1 2.8 4.3 1.1 0.2 1.6 3.0 2.1 4.5 .467 0.0 0.2 .000 2.6 3.5 .743

Season 2

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1963-641985-86
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Div SemisJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 80 17.6 5.2 - - 4.0 1.0 - - - 2.3 1.7 4.0 .418 - - - 1.9 2.5 .741
John Stockton 82 23.6 7.7 0.4 1.8 2.2 7.4 1.9 0.1 2.0 2.8 2.8 5.7 .489 0.0 0.2 .133 2.1 2.5 .839
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 5 11.2 3.4 - - 2.6 0.4 - - - 2.2 1.4 2.6 .538 - - - 0.6 0.6 1.000
John Stockton 4 18.3 6.8 0.8 0.8 1.5 3.5 1.3 0.0 1.0 2.5 2.3 4.3 .529 0.3 0.3 1.000 2.0 2.3 .889

Season 3

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1964-651986-87
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 39 6.1 2.4 - - 1.9 0.6 - - - 1.0 0.9 2.2 .424 - - - 0.5 0.7 .769
John Stockton 82 22.7 7.9 0.4 1.5 1.8 8.2 2.2 0.2 2.0 2.7 2.8 5.6 .499 0.1 0.5 .179 2.2 2.8 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 11 19.3 6.1 - - 5.4 1.7 - - - 2.8 2.2 4.8 .453 - - - 1.7 2.3 .760
John Stockton 5 31.4 10.0 0.4 1.8 2.2 8.0 3.0 0.2 2.2 3.6 3.6 5.8 .621 0.8 1.0 .800 2.0 2.6 .769

Season 4

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1965-661987-88
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 75 23.5 10.2 - - 5.4 1.1 - - - 2.5 3.6 8.2 .439 - - - 3.0 4.3 .684
John Stockton 82 34.7 14.7 0.7 2.2 2.9 13.8 3.0 0.2 3.2 3.0 5.5 9.6 .574 0.3 0.8 .358 3.3 4.0 .840
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 17 18.6 8.4 - - 5.0 0.8 - - - 2.9 2.9 6.9 .424 - - - 2.5 3.1 .808
John Stockton 11 43.5 19.5 1.3 2.8 4.1 14.8 3.4 0.3 4.4 3.3 6.2 12.2 .507 0.4 1.3 .286 6.8 8.3 .824

Season 5

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1966-671988-89
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Div FinalsJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 79 15.2 7.5 - - 3.7 0.8 - - - 1.8 2.9 6.4 .446 - - - 1.8 2.4 .742
John Stockton 82 38.7 17.1 1.0 2.0 3.0 13.6 3.2 0.2 3.8 2.9 6.1 11.3 .538 0.2 0.8 .242 4.8 5.5 .863
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 9 15.8 7.1 - - 4.7 1.0 - - - 1.3 3.0 6.6 .458 - - - 1.1 1.9 .588
John Stockton 3 46.3 27.3 0.7 2.7 3.3 13.7 3.7 1.7 3.7 5.0 10.0 19.7 .508 1.0 1.3 .750 6.3 7.0 .905

Season 6

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1967-681989-90
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 82 18.3 10.0 - - 5.3 1.3 - - - 2.2 3.8 7.7 .494 - - - 2.4 3.3 .728
John Stockton 78 37.4 17.2 0.7 1.9 2.6 14.5 2.7 0.2 3.5 3.0 6.1 11.8 .514 0.6 1.4 .416 4.5 5.5 .819
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 19 24.6 12.5 - - 7.5 1.7 - - - 2.6 4.8 9.2 .520 - - - 2.9 3.9 .743
John Stockton 5 38.8 15.0 0.8 2.4 3.2 15.0 1.2 0.0 2.8 4.0 5.8 13.8 .420 0.2 2.6 .077 3.2 4.0 .800

Season 7

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1968-691990-91
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 82 21.6 11.6 - - 5.6 1.1 - - - 2.4 4.6 9.4 .485 - - - 2.5 3.2 .776
John Stockton 82 37.8 17.2 0.6 2.3 2.9 14.2 2.9 0.2 3.6 2.8 6.0 11.9 .507 0.7 2.0 .345 4.4 5.3 .836
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 18 19.3 12.4 - - 4.6 1.2 - - - 2.8 4.8 9.3 .518 - - - 2.8 3.3 .833
John Stockton 9 41.4 18.2 1.1 3.6 4.7 13.8 2.2 0.2 3.6 3.7 6.4 12.0 .537 1.2 3.0 .407 4.1 4.9 .841

Season 8

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1969-701991-92
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 82 27.1 15.4 - - 7.3 1.8 - - - 2.9 5.6 11.2 .501 - - - 4.1 5.3 .775
John Stockton 82 36.6 15.8 0.8 2.5 3.3 13.7 3.0 0.3 3.5 2.9 5.5 11.5 .482 1.0 2.5 .407 3.8 4.5 .842
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 16 38.9 14.8 0.6 2.3 2.9 13.6 2.1 0.3 3.6 2.4 4.8 11.4 .423 1.1 3.6 .310 4.1 4.9 .833

Season 9

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1970-711992-93
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 82 27.5 13.9 - - 6.9 1.9 - - - 2.8 5.0 10.7 .468 - - - 3.9 5.2 .744
John Stockton 82 34.9 15.1 0.8 2.1 2.9 12.0 2.4 0.3 3.2 2.7 5.3 11.0 .486 0.9 2.3 .385 3.6 4.5 .798
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 5 38.6 13.2 1.0 1.4 2.4 11.0 2.4 0.0 3.0 3.2 4.6 10.2 .451 1.0 2.6 .385 3.0 3.6 .833

Season 10

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1971-721993-94
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 82 25.4 13.8 - - 5.5 2.3 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.9 .480 - - - 4.3 5.5 .788
John Stockton 82 36.2 15.1 0.9 2.3 3.1 12.6 2.4 0.3 3.2 2.9 5.6 10.6 .528 0.6 1.8 .322 3.3 4.1 .805
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 11 28.0 13.2 - - 5.5 1.9 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.0 .525 - - - 3.7 4.4 .854
John Stockton 16 37.3 14.4 0.9 2.4 3.3 9.8 1.7 0.5 2.5 2.8 5.5 12.1 .456 0.3 1.5 .167 3.2 3.9 .810

Season 11

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1972-731994-95
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsJazz 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 %
Don Nelson 72 19.8 10.8 - - 4.4 1.4 - - - 2.2 4.3 9.0 .476 - - - 2.2 2.6 .846
John Stockton 82 35.0 14.7 0.7 2.4 3.1 12.3 2.4 0.3 3.3 2.6 5.2 9.6 .542 1.2 2.8 .449 3.0 3.7 .804
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 13 23.3 11.0 - - 2.9 1.2 - - - 2.2 3.6 7.8 .465 - - - 3.8 4.3 .875
John Stockton 5 38.6 17.8 1.2 2.2 3.4 10.2 1.4 0.2 2.8 2.6 6.8 14.8 .459 1.6 4.0 .400 2.6 3.4 .765

Season 12

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1973-741995-96
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
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
John Stockton 82 35.5 14.7 0.7 2.1 2.8 11.2 1.7 0.2 3.0 2.5 5.4 10.0 .538 1.2 2.7 .422 2.9 3.4 .830
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
John Stockton 18 37.7 11.1 0.8 2.4 3.2 10.8 1.6 0.4 3.2 2.8 3.9 8.7 .446 0.6 2.1 .289 2.7 3.3 .814

Season 13

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1974-751996-97
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsJazz Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
John Stockton 82 35.3 14.4 0.5 2.2 2.8 10.5 2.0 0.2 3.0 2.4 5.1 9.3 .548 0.9 2.2 .422 3.4 4.0 .846
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
John Stockton 20 36.9 16.1 0.9 3.0 3.9 9.6 1.7 0.3 3.1 2.6 5.7 10.9 .521 1.0 2.5 .380 3.9 4.5 .856

Season 14

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season 1975-761997-98
Team Boston CelticsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
John Stockton 64 29.0 12.0 0.5 2.0 2.6 8.5 1.4 0.2 2.5 2.2 4.2 8.0 .528 0.6 1.4 .429 3.0 3.6 .827
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
John Stockton 20 29.7 11.1 0.8 2.2 3.0 7.8 1.6 0.2 2.4 2.7 4.1 8.2 .494 0.5 1.3 .346 2.6 3.6 .718

Season 15

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season -1998-99
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 50 28.2 11.1 0.6 2.3 2.9 7.5 1.6 0.3 2.2 2.1 4.0 8.2 .488 0.3 1.0 .320 2.7 3.4 .811
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 11 32.0 11.1 1.0 2.3 3.3 8.4 1.6 0.1 2.8 2.9 3.8 9.5 .400 0.4 1.1 .333 3.1 4.2 .739

Season 16

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season -1999-00
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 82 29.7 12.1 0.5 2.1 2.6 8.6 1.7 0.2 2.2 2.3 4.4 8.8 .501 0.5 1.5 .355 2.7 3.1 .860
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 10 34.9 11.2 0.7 2.3 3.0 10.3 1.3 0.2 2.6 3.0 4.1 8.9 .461 0.7 1.8 .389 2.3 3.0 .767

Season 17

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season -2000-01
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 82 29.2 11.5 0.7 2.1 2.8 8.7 1.6 0.3 2.5 2.4 4.0 7.9 .504 0.7 1.6 .462 2.8 3.4 .817
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 5 37.4 9.8 2.2 3.4 5.6 11.4 2.0 0.6 1.4 3.8 3.4 7.4 .459 0.0 1.6 .000 3.0 4.2 .714

Season 18

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season -2001-02
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 82 31.3 13.4 0.7 2.5 3.2 8.2 1.9 0.3 2.5 2.5 4.9 9.5 .517 0.3 1.0 .321 3.4 3.9 .857
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 4 35.5 12.5 0.8 3.3 4.0 10.0 2.8 0.3 2.0 4.0 4.5 10.0 .450 0.5 1.8 .286 3.0 3.3 .923

Season 19

Don Nelson John Stockton
Season -2002-03
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 82 27.7 10.8 0.6 1.8 2.5 7.7 1.7 0.2 2.2 2.2 3.8 7.8 .483 0.4 1.0 .363 2.9 3.5 .826
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
John Stockton 5 29.6 11.2 1.0 2.2 3.2 5.2 1.6 0.2 2.8 2.6 3.6 7.8 .462 0.0 0.2 .000 4.0 4.0 1.000