John Lucas vs. Wes Unseld Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Wes Unseld and John Lucas, 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.

John Lucas played 14 years in the NBA, 1 more than Wes Unseld, who played 13. John Lucas had the first of his seasons in 1976-77, while Wes Unseld had his rookie season in 1968-69. 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
John Lucas 14 6 1976-77 to 1989-90
Wes Unseld 13 12 1968-69 to 1980-81

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1976-771968-69
Team Houston RocketsBaltimore Bullets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Rookie of the Year
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost East Conf FinalsBullets Lost East Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 82 30.9 11.1 0.7 2.0 2.7 5.6 1.5 0.2 - 2.1 4.7 9.9 .477 - - - 1.6 2.1 .789
Wes Unseld 82 36.2 13.8 - - 18.2 2.6 - - - 3.4 5.2 10.9 .476 - - - 3.4 5.6 .605
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 12 35.8 14.7 0.3 2.4 2.8 6.9 2.0 0.3 - 2.8 6.3 11.6 .540 - - - 2.2 2.8 .765
Wes Unseld 4 41.3 18.8 - - 18.5 1.3 - - - 3.5 7.5 14.3 .526 - - - 3.8 4.8 .789

Season 2

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1977-781969-70
Team Houston RocketsBaltimore Bullets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBullets Lost East Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 82 35.8 12.4 0.6 2.5 3.1 9.4 2.0 0.1 2.6 2.5 5.0 11.5 .435 - - - 2.4 3.0 .772
Wes Unseld 82 39.4 16.2 - - 16.7 3.5 - - - 3.0 6.4 12.4 .518 - - - 3.3 5.2 .638
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld 7 41.3 10.4 - - 23.6 3.4 - - - 3.6 4.1 10.0 .414 - - - 2.1 2.7 .789

Season 3

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1978-791970-71
Team Golden State WarriorsBaltimore Bullets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayBullets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 82 37.7 16.1 0.8 2.2 3.0 9.3 1.9 0.1 3.1 2.8 6.5 14.0 .462 - - - 3.2 3.9 .822
Wes Unseld 74 39.2 14.1 - - 16.9 4.0 - - - 3.2 5.7 11.4 .501 - - - 2.7 4.1 .657
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld 18 42.2 13.2 - - 18.8 3.8 - - - 3.3 5.3 11.6 .462 - - - 2.6 4.5 .568

Season 4

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1979-801971-72
Team Golden State WarriorsBaltimore Bullets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayBullets 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 %
John Lucas 80 34.5 12.6 0.8 2.0 2.8 7.5 1.7 0.0 2.3 2.5 4.9 10.4 .467 0.2 0.5 .286 2.8 3.6 .768
Wes Unseld 76 41.7 13.0 - - 17.6 3.7 - - - 2.9 5.4 10.8 .498 - - - 2.3 3.6 .629
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld 6 44.3 12.3 - - 12.5 4.2 - - - 3.7 5.3 10.8 .492 - - - 1.7 3.2 .526

Season 5

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1980-811972-73
Team Golden State WarriorsBaltimore Bullets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayBullets 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 %
John Lucas 66 29.1 8.4 0.5 1.8 2.3 7.0 1.3 0.0 2.8 2.1 3.4 7.7 .439 0.1 0.4 .167 1.6 2.2 .738
Wes Unseld 79 39.1 12.5 - - 15.9 4.4 - - - 2.1 5.3 10.8 .493 - - - 1.9 2.7 .703
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld 5 40.2 9.8 - - 15.2 3.4 - - - 2.4 4.0 9.6 .417 - - - 1.8 3.8 .474

Season 6

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1981-821973-74
Team Washington BulletsCapital Bullets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bullets Lost East Conf SemisBullets 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 %
John Lucas 79 24.6 8.4 0.5 1.6 2.1 7.0 1.2 0.1 2.0 1.3 3.3 7.8 .426 0.0 0.3 .091 1.7 2.2 .784
Wes Unseld 56 30.8 5.9 2.7 6.5 9.2 2.8 1.0 0.3 - 2.2 2.6 5.9 .438 - - - 0.6 1.0 .655
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 7 10.6 4.4 0.0 1.1 1.1 2.9 0.4 0.1 0.6 0.9 2.0 3.7 .538 0.1 0.4 .333 0.3 0.4 .667
Wes Unseld 7 42.4 10.1 3.1 9.0 12.1 3.9 0.6 0.1 - 2.1 4.4 9.0 .492 - - - 1.3 2.1 .600

Season 7

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1982-831974-75
Team Washington BulletsWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayBullets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 35 11.0 4.1 0.2 0.6 0.8 2.9 0.7 0.0 1.3 0.5 1.8 3.7 .473 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 1.2 .500
Wes Unseld 73 39.8 9.2 4.4 10.4 14.8 4.1 1.6 0.9 - 2.5 3.7 7.5 .502 - - - 1.7 2.5 .685
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld 17 43.2 10.7 3.8 12.4 16.2 3.8 0.9 1.2 - 2.3 4.2 7.6 .546 - - - 2.4 3.6 .656

Season 8

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1983-841975-76
Team San Antonio SpursWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBullets 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 %
John Lucas 63 28.7 10.9 0.4 2.5 2.9 10.7 1.5 0.1 2.3 2.0 4.4 9.4 .462 0.3 1.1 .275 1.9 2.5 .764
Wes Unseld 78 37.5 9.6 3.5 9.8 13.3 5.2 1.1 0.8 - 2.6 4.1 7.3 .561 - - - 1.5 2.5 .585
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld 7 44.3 7.0 3.7 8.4 12.1 4.0 0.9 0.6 - 2.7 2.6 5.6 .462 - - - 1.9 3.4 .542

Season 9

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1984-851976-77
Team Houston RocketsWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdBullets 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 %
John Lucas 47 24.6 11.4 0.4 1.4 1.8 6.8 1.3 0.0 2.2 1.7 4.4 9.5 .462 0.4 1.4 .318 2.2 2.7 .798
Wes Unseld 82 34.9 7.8 3.0 7.7 10.7 4.4 1.1 0.5 - 3.1 3.3 6.7 .490 - - - 1.2 2.0 .602
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 5 30.4 13.6 1.4 2.8 4.2 5.4 1.2 0.0 1.4 2.8 5.2 16.0 .325 0.4 2.8 .143 2.8 4.4 .636
Wes Unseld 9 40.9 7.4 2.7 9.0 11.7 4.9 0.9 0.7 - 3.6 3.3 6.0 .556 - - - 0.8 1.3 .583

Season 10

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1985-861977-78
Team Houston RocketsWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
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 %
John Lucas 65 32.6 15.5 0.5 1.7 2.2 8.8 1.2 0.1 2.3 1.9 5.6 12.6 .446 0.7 2.2 .308 3.6 4.6 .775
Wes Unseld 80 33.1 7.6 3.6 8.4 11.9 4.1 1.2 0.6 2.2 2.9 3.2 6.1 .523 - - - 1.2 2.2 .538
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld 18 37.6 9.4 4.0 8.0 12.0 4.4 0.9 0.4 2.0 3.4 3.9 7.4 .530 - - - 1.5 2.6 .587

Season 11

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1986-871978-79
Team Milwaukee BucksWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bucks Lost East Conf SemisBullets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 43 31.6 17.5 0.7 2.2 2.9 6.7 1.7 0.1 2.1 1.9 6.6 14.5 .457 1.1 2.9 .365 3.2 4.0 .787
Wes Unseld 77 31.2 10.9 3.6 7.2 10.8 4.1 0.9 0.5 2.0 2.6 4.5 7.8 .577 - - - 2.0 3.1 .643
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 12 30.2 15.6 0.3 1.8 2.1 5.2 1.2 0.1 1.7 1.4 5.7 12.5 .453 1.0 3.0 .333 3.3 4.0 .813
Wes Unseld 19 38.7 10.3 4.7 8.6 13.3 3.4 0.9 0.7 1.6 3.5 4.1 8.3 .494 - - - 2.1 3.4 .609

Season 12

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1987-881979-80
Team Milwaukee BucksWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bucks Lost East Conf 1st RdBullets 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 %
John Lucas 81 21.8 9.2 0.4 1.6 2.0 4.8 1.1 0.0 1.5 1.3 3.5 7.8 .445 0.6 1.9 .338 1.6 2.0 .802
Wes Unseld 82 36.3 9.7 4.1 9.3 13.3 4.5 0.8 0.7 1.9 3.0 4.0 7.8 .513 0.0 0.0 .500 1.7 2.5 .665
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 5 16.0 5.8 1.0 0.6 1.6 3.8 1.0 0.0 1.2 1.0 2.0 5.4 .370 0.6 2.6 .231 1.2 1.8 .667
Wes Unseld 2 43.5 9.0 3.5 10.5 14.0 3.5 0.0 1.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 7.0 .500 0.0 0.5 .000 2.0 3.0 .667

Season 13

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1988-891980-81
Team Seattle SupersonicsWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Supersonics 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 %
John Lucas 74 11.4 4.2 0.3 0.8 1.1 3.5 0.8 0.0 0.9 0.7 1.6 4.0 .398 0.2 0.9 .265 0.7 1.0 .701
Wes Unseld 63 32.3 8.0 3.3 7.4 10.7 2.7 0.8 0.6 1.5 2.7 3.6 6.8 .524 0.0 0.1 .500 0.9 1.4 .640
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 4 9.3 2.8 0.0 0.3 0.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.3 1.3 4.3 .294 0.0 0.8 .000 0.3 0.5 .500
Wes Unseld ------- --- ----------

Season 14

John Lucas Wes Unseld
Season 1989-90-
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 %
John Lucas 49 19.1 5.8 0.4 1.4 1.8 4.9 0.9 0.0 1.7 1.2 2.2 5.9 .375 0.5 1.8 .299 0.9 1.1 .764
Wes Unseld ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Wes Unseld ------- --- ----------