JaVale McGee vs. J.R. Smith Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of J.R. Smith and JaVale McGee, 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.

JaVale McGee and J.R. Smith both played 16 years in the NBA. JaVale McGee had the first of his seasons in 2008-09, while J.R. Smith had his rookie season in 2004-05. 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 achievements, 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
JaVale McGee 16 8 2008-09 to 2023-24
J.R. Smith 16 12 2004-05 to 2019-20

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

Rookie Season

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2008-092004-05
Team Washington WizardsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 75 15.2 6.5 1.6 2.3 3.9 0.3 0.4 1.0 0.8 2.1 2.5 5.2 .494 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.2 .660
difference:+1+9.3+3.8+1.1+0.8+1.9+1.6+0.3+0.9-0.6-0.3+1.4+4.6+.100+1.1+3.7+0.1+0.1+.029
J.R. Smith 76 24.5 10.3 0.5 1.5 2.0 1.9 0.7 0.1 1.4 1.8 3.9 9.8 .394 1.1 3.7 .288 1.5 2.1 .689
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher JaVale McGee nor J.R. Smith played in the postseason in their season 1

Season 2

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2009-102005-06
Team Washington WizardsNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 60 16.1 6.4 1.5 2.6 4.1 0.2 0.3 1.7 0.9 2.0 2.6 5.1 .508 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 1.9 .638
difference:+5+1.9+1.3+1.2+0.9+2.1+0.9+0.4+1.6-0.1-0.4+1.6+.115+0.9+2.5+0.3+0.1+.184
J.R. Smith 55 18.0 7.7 0.3 1.7 2.0 1.1 0.7 0.1 1.0 1.6 2.6 6.7 .393 0.9 2.5 .371 1.5 1.8 .822
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher JaVale McGee nor J.R. Smith played in the postseason in their season 2

Season 3

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2010-112006-07
Team Washington WizardsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 79 27.8 10.1 2.8 5.2 8.0 0.5 0.5 2.4 1.3 2.9 4.2 7.6 .550 0.0 0.0 - 1.7 2.9 .583
difference:+16+4.5+2.9+2.3+3.4+5.7+0.9+0.3+2.3-0.6+0.3+2.6+.109+2.4+6.1+0.1+0.9+.227
J.R. Smith 63 23.3 13.0 0.5 1.8 2.3 1.4 0.8 0.1 1.3 2.3 4.5 10.2 .441 2.4 6.1 .390 1.6 2.0 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------
J.R. Smith 4 11.8 4.5 0.3 2.0 2.3 0.5 1.0 0.3 0.8 1.5 1.5 5.5 .273 0.0 3.0 .000 1.5 1.5 1.000

Season 4

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2011-122007-08
Team Washington Wizards, Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Nuggets Lost West Conf 1st RdNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 61 25.2 11.3 2.7 5.1 7.8 0.5 0.6 2.2 1.4 2.7 5.0 9.0 .556 0.0 0.0 - 1.3 2.7 .461
difference:+13+6.0+1.0+2.1+3.6+5.7+1.2+0.2+2.0-0.1-0.8+0.8+0.1+.095+2.1+5.3+0.4+0.3+.258
J.R. Smith 74 19.2 12.3 0.6 1.5 2.1 1.7 0.8 0.2 1.5 1.9 4.2 9.1 .461 2.1 5.3 .403 1.7 2.4 .719
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 7 25.9 8.6 3.3 6.3 9.6 0.7 0.7 3.1 0.6 3.0 3.3 7.6 .434 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 3.7 .538
difference:+3+1.1+9.7+3.0+4.8+7.8+1.1+0.3+3.1-0.7+2.5+3.2+.101+1.8+5.5+3.0+2.3+.295
J.R. Smith 4 27.0 18.3 0.3 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.0 0.0 1.3 3.0 5.8 10.8 .535 1.8 5.5 .318 5.0 6.0 .833

Season 5

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2012-132008-09
Team Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Nuggets Lost West Conf 1st RdNuggets Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 79 18.1 9.1 2.0 2.8 4.8 0.3 0.4 2.0 1.1 2.3 3.8 6.7 .575 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.4 .591
difference:+2+9.6+6.1+1.5+0.3+1.1+2.5+0.6+1.8-0.8+1.4+5.0+.129+2.2+5.6+1.1+1.0+.163
J.R. Smith 81 27.7 15.2 0.5 3.1 3.7 2.8 1.0 0.2 1.9 2.3 5.2 11.7 .446 2.2 5.6 .397 2.5 3.4 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 6 18.7 7.2 2.8 2.3 5.2 0.0 0.7 1.0 1.8 2.8 3.0 5.2 .581 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 3.0 .389
difference:+10+8.5+7.7+2.1+0.3+1.9+2.8+0.4+0.7-0.2-0.4+2.5+6.9+.127+2.4+6.6+0.4+0.1+.154
J.R. Smith 16 27.2 14.9 0.7 2.6 3.3 2.8 1.1 0.3 1.6 3.2 5.5 12.1 .454 2.4 6.6 .358 1.6 2.9 .543

Season 6

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2013-142009-10
Team Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 5 15.8 7.0 2.0 1.4 3.4 0.4 0.2 1.4 1.6 3.2 3.4 7.6 .447 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.2 1.000
difference:+70+12.0+8.4+1.6+1.3+0.3+2.0+1.1+1.1-0.3-0.9+2.3+6.2+.033+2.1+6.2+1.7+2.5+.294
J.R. Smith 75 27.8 15.4 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.4 1.3 0.3 1.9 2.3 5.7 13.8 .414 2.1 6.2 .338 1.9 2.7 .706
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------
J.R. Smith 6 26.5 11.2 0.8 3.0 3.8 1.7 0.7 0.3 1.0 2.8 3.5 9.5 .368 1.8 5.2 .355 2.3 2.7 .875

Season 7

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2014-152010-11
Team Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 23 11.1 4.6 0.8 1.9 2.7 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.8 1.3 1.8 3.4 .532 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 1.4 .667
difference:+56+13.8+7.7+0.2+1.6+1.4+2.1+1.1+0.7-0.5-0.9+2.5+6.5+.097+1.6+4.0+1.1+1.4+.071
J.R. Smith 79 24.9 12.3 0.6 3.5 4.1 2.2 1.2 0.2 1.3 2.2 4.3 9.9 .435 1.6 4.0 .390 2.1 2.8 .738
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------
J.R. Smith 5 15.2 9.8 0.2 1.8 2.0 1.0 0.4 0.0 1.6 1.6 3.2 9.0 .356 1.8 4.2 .429 1.6 2.2 .727

Season 8

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2015-162011-12
Team Dallas MavericksNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf 1st RdKnicks Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 34 10.9 5.1 1.6 2.4 3.9 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.6 1.4 2.3 3.9 .575 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 1.1 .500
difference:+1+16.7+7.4+0.8+0.7+2.3+1.4+0.6-0.7-1.1+2.4+7.7+.168+1.9+5.5+0.6+0.5+.209
J.R. Smith 35 27.6 12.5 0.8 3.1 3.9 2.4 1.5 0.2 1.3 2.5 4.7 11.6 .407 1.9 5.5 .347 1.1 1.6 .709
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 2 7.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 1.5 1.5 0.5 1.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 3.0 .333
difference:+3+28.0+10.2+0.6+1.7+1.1+2.2+0.7+0.2-0.7-2.3+4.3+14.2+.184+1.0+5.6+0.6+1.4+.667
J.R. Smith 5 35.0 12.2 0.4 2.2 2.6 2.2 1.2 0.2 2.2 3.8 4.8 15.2 .316 1.0 5.6 .179 1.6 1.6 1.000

Season 9

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2016-172012-13
Team Golden State WarriorsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards -Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionKnicks Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 77 9.6 6.1 1.3 1.9 3.2 0.2 0.2 0.9 0.5 1.4 2.7 4.1 .652 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 1.4 .505
difference:+3+23.9+12.0+0.5+2.6+2.1+2.5+1.1+0.6-1.2-1.4+3.9+11.5+.230+1.9+5.5+2.3+2.5+.257
J.R. Smith 80 33.5 18.1 0.8 4.5 5.3 2.7 1.3 0.3 1.7 2.8 6.6 15.6 .422 1.9 5.5 .356 3.0 3.9 .762
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 16 9.3 5.9 1.4 1.6 3.0 0.3 0.1 0.9 0.5 1.9 2.6 3.5 .732 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.1 .722
difference:+5+22.6+8.4+0.9+2.6+1.7+1.1+0.9+0.4-1.3-0.6+2.3+11.3+.401+1.6+6.0+2.0+2.8+.001
J.R. Smith 11 31.9 14.3 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.4 1.0 0.5 1.8 2.5 4.9 14.8 .331 1.6 6.0 .273 2.8 3.9 .721

Season 10

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2017-182013-14
Team Golden State WarriorsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 65 9.5 4.8 0.9 1.7 2.6 0.5 0.3 0.9 0.4 1.4 2.1 3.4 .621 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 0.8 .731
difference:+9+23.2+9.7+0.4+1.8+1.4+2.5+0.6+0.6-1.1-1.2+3.3+9.5+.206+2.6+6.4+.394+0.6+1.1+.079
J.R. Smith 74 32.7 14.5 0.5 3.5 4.0 3.0 0.9 0.3 1.5 2.6 5.4 12.9 .415 2.6 6.5 .394 1.2 1.9 .652
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 13 12.2 6.5 1.2 2.0 3.2 0.3 0.2 0.8 0.4 1.5 3.0 4.5 .672 0.0 0.1 .000 0.5 0.7 .667
J.R. Smith DNP------ --- ----------

Season 11

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2018-192014-15
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 75 22.3 12.0 2.6 4.9 7.5 0.7 0.6 2.0 1.4 2.8 5.3 8.5 .624 0.0 0.2 .083 1.3 2.0 .632
difference:+5+7.4+0.1+2.2+2.2+4.4+2.1+0.6+1.7-0.5+0.8+2.3+.207+2.3+5.9+.300+0.5+1.0+.118
J.R. Smith 70 29.7 12.1 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.8 1.2 0.3 1.4 2.3 4.5 10.8 .417 2.3 6.1 .383 0.8 1.0 .750
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------
J.R. Smith 18 31.1 12.8 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.8 3.0 4.6 11.4 .403 2.8 7.9 .359 0.8 1.1 .700

Season 12

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2019-202015-16
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 68 16.6 6.6 1.8 3.9 5.7 0.5 0.5 1.4 0.8 2.3 2.9 4.5 .637 0.0 0.1 .500 0.8 1.2 .646
difference:+9+14.1+5.8+1.2+1.6+2.9+1.2+0.6+1.1-0.3+1.7+6.5+.222+2.6+6.5+.100+0.2+0.3+.012
J.R. Smith 77 30.7 12.4 0.6 2.3 2.8 1.7 1.1 0.3 0.8 2.6 4.6 11.0 .415 2.6 6.6 .400 0.6 0.9 .634
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 14 9.6 2.9 1.1 2.0 3.1 0.5 0.1 0.7 0.6 1.6 1.4 2.3 .625 0.0 0.1 .000 0.1 0.1 .500
difference:+7+25.2+8.6+0.8+0.9+0.1+0.9+1.1+0.5-0.1-1.0+2.5+6.7+.189+3.1+7.1+.430+0.5+0.9+.119
J.R. Smith 21 34.8 11.5 0.3 2.9 3.2 1.4 1.2 0.2 0.5 2.6 3.9 9.0 .436 3.1 7.2 .430 0.6 1.0 .619

Season 13

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2020-212016-17
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver NuggetsCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Nuggets Lost West Conf SemisCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
13th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 46 14.7 7.3 1.7 3.5 5.2 0.8 0.4 1.2 1.3 2.6 3.1 6.1 .511 0.1 0.5 .208 1.0 1.5 .657
difference:+5+14.3+1.3+1.3+1.2+2.4+0.7+0.6+0.9-0.7-0.7+0.1+2.6+.165+2.2+6.1+.143+0.8+1.1+.010
J.R. Smith 41 29.0 8.6 0.4 2.3 2.8 1.5 1.0 0.3 0.6 1.9 3.0 8.7 .346 2.3 6.6 .351 0.2 0.4 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 4 8.5 2.0 0.8 2.3 3.0 0.8 0.3 1.3 0.3 1.0 0.8 2.5 .300 0.0 0.5 .000 0.5 1.5 .333
difference:+14+18.6+6.1+0.5+0.2+0.7+0.1+0.4+1.0-0.4-1.3+2.0+3.0+.205+2.2+3.9+.500+0.2+0.9+.122
J.R. Smith 18 27.1 8.1 0.3 2.1 2.3 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.7 2.3 2.8 5.5 .505 2.2 4.4 .500 0.3 0.6 .455

Season 14

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2021-222017-18
Team Phoenix SunsCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
14th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 74 15.8 9.2 2.2 4.5 6.7 0.6 0.3 1.1 1.3 2.4 3.9 6.2 .629 0.0 0.1 .222 1.4 2.0 .699
difference:+6+12.3+0.9+1.8+1.9+3.8+1.2+0.6+1.0-0.3-0.4+0.9+1.2+.226+1.8+4.7+.153+0.9+1.3+.003
J.R. Smith 80 28.1 8.3 0.4 2.6 2.9 1.8 0.9 0.1 1.0 2.0 3.0 7.4 .403 1.8 4.8 .375 0.5 0.7 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 12 11.1 6.8 1.3 2.7 4.0 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.8 2.3 2.9 4.2 .700 0.0 0.1 .000 0.9 1.1 .846
difference:+10+21.0+1.9+0.8+0.4+1.3+0.5+0.7+0.2-0.1-0.2+0.1+4.3+.352+2.0+5.4+.367+0.1+0.1+.073
J.R. Smith 22 32.1 8.7 0.5 2.3 2.7 1.1 1.0 0.2 0.9 2.5 3.0 8.5 .348 2.0 5.5 .367 0.8 1.0 .773

Season 15

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2022-232018-19
Team Dallas MavericksCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
15th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 42 8.5 4.4 0.7 1.8 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.9 1.3 1.9 3.0 .640 0.0 0.1 .400 0.6 1.0 .585
difference:+31+11.7+2.3+0.7+0.2+0.9+1.6+0.9+0.3-0.1-0.4+0.6+4.2+.298+1.1+3.4+.092+0.1+0.1+.215
J.R. Smith 11 20.2 6.7 0.0 1.6 1.6 1.9 1.0 0.3 1.0 1.7 2.5 7.2 .342 1.1 3.5 .308 0.7 0.9 .800
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher JaVale McGee nor J.R. Smith played in the postseason in their season 15

Season 16

JaVale McGee J.R. Smith
Season 2023-242019-20
Team Sacramento KingsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
16th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee 46 7.4 4.0 0.9 1.8 2.7 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.7 1.0 1.7 2.9 .598 0.0 0.2 .143 0.6 1.0 .578
difference:+40+5.8+1.2+0.9+1.0+1.9+0.1+0.1+0.4-0.2+0.5+0.8+.280+0.2+1.6+.052+0.3+0.7+.422
J.R. Smith 6 13.2 2.8 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.8 1.2 3.7 .318 0.2 1.8 .091 0.3 0.3 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------
J.R. Smith 10 7.5 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.7 1.1 0.7 2.6 .269 0.6 2.2 .273 0.0 0.0 -