Kevin Garnett vs. Penny Hardaway Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Penny Hardaway and Kevin Garnett, 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 / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings / 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.

Kevin Garnett played 21 years in the NBA, 7 more than Penny Hardaway, who played 14. Kevin Garnett had the first of his seasons in 1995-96, while Penny Hardaway had his rookie season in 1993-94. 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
Kevin Garnett 21 14 1995-96 to 2015-16
Penny Hardaway 14 8 1993-94 to 2007-08

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

Rookie Season

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 1995-961993-94
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Achievement All-Rookie Second Team-
Playoffs Did Not PlayMagic Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 80 28.7 10.4 2.2 4.1 6.3 1.8 1.1 1.6 1.4 2.4 4.5 9.2 .491 0.1 0.4 .286 1.3 1.9 .705
difference:+2+8.1+5.6+0.1+1.1+0.9+4.8+1.2+1.0-2.2-0.1+1.7+4.1+.025+0.5+1.9+.019+1.7+2.1+.037
Penny Hardaway 82 36.8 16.0 2.3 3.0 5.4 6.6 2.3 0.6 3.6 2.5 6.2 13.3 .466 0.6 2.3 .267 3.0 4.0 .742
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett DNP------ --- ----------
Penny Hardaway 3 44.3 18.7 2.7 4.0 6.7 7.0 1.7 2.0 6.7 3.3 7.3 16.7 .440 1.7 3.7 .455 2.3 3.3 .700

Season 2

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 1996-971994-95
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdMagic Lost NBA Finals
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 77 38.9 17.0 2.5 5.6 8.0 3.1 1.4 2.1 2.3 2.6 7.1 14.3 .499 0.1 0.3 .286 2.7 3.5 .754
difference:+1.2+3.9+0.7+3.0+3.6+4.1+0.3+1.8-1.1-0.5+0.5+0.5+.013+1.0+2.9+.063+1.9+2.5+.015
Penny Hardaway 77 37.7 20.9 1.8 2.6 4.4 7.2 1.7 0.3 3.4 2.1 7.6 14.8 .512 1.1 3.2 .349 4.6 6.0 .769
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 3 41.7 17.3 4.7 4.7 9.3 3.7 1.3 1.0 1.3 2.0 8.0 17.0 .471 0.3 0.3 1.000 1.0 1.0 1.000
difference:+18+1.3+2.3+3.3+2.4+5.5+4.0+0.6+0.3-2.2-1.3+1.1+2.5+.001+1.6+4.4+.596+3.0+4.3+.243
Penny Hardaway 21 40.4 19.6 1.4 2.3 3.8 7.7 1.9 0.7 3.5 3.3 6.9 14.5 .472 1.9 4.7 .404 4.0 5.3 .757

Season 3

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 1997-981995-96
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdMagic Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 82 39.3 18.5 2.7 6.9 9.6 4.2 1.7 1.8 2.3 2.7 7.7 15.8 .491 0.0 0.2 .188 3.0 4.0 .738
difference:+2.5+3.2+1.1+4.2+5.3+2.9+0.3+1.3-0.5-0.7+0.1+1.0+.022+1.1+3.3+.126+2.4+3.1+.029
Penny Hardaway 82 36.8 21.7 1.6 2.7 4.3 7.1 2.0 0.5 2.8 2.0 7.6 14.8 .513 1.1 3.5 .314 5.4 7.1 .767
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 5 38.6 15.8 3.4 6.2 9.6 4.0 0.8 2.4 4.4 3.4 7.2 15.0 .480 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 1.8 .778
difference:+7+0.8+7.5+1.7+3.2+4.9+2.0+0.9+2.1-2.2-1.1+1.2+3.1+.015+1.7+4.6+3.4+4.7+.034
Penny Hardaway 12 39.4 23.3 1.7 3.0 4.7 6.0 1.7 0.3 2.2 2.3 8.4 18.1 .465 1.7 4.6 .364 4.8 6.5 .744

Season 4

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 1998-991996-97
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third TeamAchievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdMagic Lost East 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%
Kevin Garnett 47 37.9 20.8 3.5 6.9 10.4 4.3 1.7 1.8 2.9 3.2 8.8 19.1 .460 0.1 0.3 .286 3.1 4.4 .704
difference:+12+0.3+0.3+2.1+3.8+5.9+1.3+0.1+1.2-0.4-1.1+1.7+3.2+.013+1.3+4.2+.032+1.7+1.4+.116
Penny Hardaway 59 37.6 20.5 1.4 3.1 4.5 5.6 1.6 0.6 2.5 2.1 7.1 15.9 .447 1.4 4.5 .318 4.8 5.8 .820
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 4 42.5 21.8 4.0 8.0 12.0 3.8 1.8 2.0 3.3 2.5 8.8 19.8 .443 0.0 0.5 .000 4.3 5.8 .739
difference:+1+1.9+9.2+2.6+3.4+6.0+0.4+0.6+0.6-1.5-0.3+1.6+2.4+.025+2.2+5.5+.367+3.7+5.0+.002
Penny Hardaway 5 44.4 31.0 1.4 4.6 6.0 3.4 2.4 1.4 1.8 2.8 10.4 22.2 .468 2.2 6.0 .367 8.0 10.8 .741

Season 5

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 1999-001997-98
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 81 40.0 22.9 2.8 9.0 11.8 5.0 1.5 1.6 3.3 2.5 9.4 18.8 .497 0.4 1.0 .370 3.8 5.0 .765
difference:+62+7.1+6.5+2.4+5.4+7.8+1.4+0.8-0.9-0.1+4.0+4.4+.120+0.4+1.6+.070+0.9+1.2+.002
Penny Hardaway 19 32.9 16.4 0.4 3.6 4.0 3.6 1.5 0.8 2.4 2.4 5.4 14.4 .377 0.8 2.6 .300 4.7 6.2 .763
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 4 42.5 18.8 3.3 7.5 10.8 8.8 1.3 0.8 2.8 3.0 7.5 19.5 .385 0.5 0.8 .667 3.3 4.0 .813
Penny Hardaway DNP------ --- ----------

Season 6

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2000-011998-99
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdMagic Lost East 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%
Kevin Garnett 81 39.5 22.0 2.7 8.7 11.4 5.0 1.4 1.8 2.8 2.5 8.7 18.2 .477 0.2 0.8 .288 4.4 5.8 .764
difference:+31+0.6+6.2+1.2+4.5+5.7+0.3+0.8+1.3-0.2-0.3+2.7+3.9+.057+0.6+2.0+.002+1.4+1.6+.058
Penny Hardaway 50 38.9 15.8 1.5 4.2 5.7 5.3 2.2 0.5 3.0 2.2 6.0 14.3 .420 0.8 2.8 .286 3.0 4.2 .706
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 4 41.3 21.0 2.5 9.5 12.0 4.3 1.0 1.5 1.5 3.3 6.8 14.5 .466 0.0 0.8 .000 7.5 9.0 .833
difference:+0.5+2.0+0.2+6.7+7.0+1.2+1.3+1.2-1.5+1.8+0.2+.115+1.5+2.5+.462+0.8+.064
Penny Hardaway 4 41.8 19.0 2.3 2.8 5.0 5.5 2.3 0.3 3.0 3.3 5.0 14.3 .351 1.5 3.3 .462 7.5 9.8 .769

Season 7

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2001-021999-00
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 81 39.2 21.2 3.0 9.1 12.1 5.2 1.2 1.6 2.8 2.3 8.1 17.3 .470 0.5 1.4 .319 4.4 5.5 .801
difference:+21+1.6+4.3+1.5+4.8+6.3+0.1+0.4+1.0-0.2-0.4+1.8+4.0+.004+0.1+0.3+.005+0.6+0.7+.011
Penny Hardaway 60 37.6 16.9 1.5 4.3 5.8 5.3 1.6 0.6 2.6 2.7 6.3 13.3 .474 0.6 1.7 .324 3.8 4.8 .790
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 3 43.3 24.0 5.3 13.3 18.7 5.0 1.7 1.7 4.0 3.7 8.0 18.7 .429 0.3 0.7 .500 7.7 10.7 .719
difference:+6+0.5+3.7+3.7+10.0+13.8+0.7+0.1+0.7-1.2-0.5+0.6+2.6+.033+0.3+1.4+.237+2.8+3.8+.009
Penny Hardaway 9 42.8 20.3 1.6 3.3 4.9 5.7 1.6 1.0 2.8 3.2 7.4 16.1 .462 0.6 2.1 .263 4.9 6.9 .710

Season 8

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2002-032000-01
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game MVP-
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 82 40.5 23.0 3.0 10.5 13.4 6.0 1.4 1.6 2.8 2.4 9.1 18.1 .502 0.2 0.9 .282 4.6 6.1 .751
difference:+78+12.5+13.2+1.7+7.2+8.9+2.2+0.1+1.3-2.0-0.9+5.3+9.1+.085+0.3+1.1+.032+2.8+3.3+.115
Penny Hardaway 4 28.0 9.8 1.3 3.3 4.5 3.8 1.5 0.3 0.8 1.5 3.8 9.0 .417 0.5 2.0 .250 1.8 2.8 .636
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 6 44.0 27.0 1.8 13.8 15.7 5.2 1.7 1.7 3.0 3.8 11.8 23.0 .514 0.5 1.5 .333 2.8 4.7 .607
Penny Hardaway DNP------ --- ----------

Season 9

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2003-042001-02
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 82 39.4 24.2 3.0 10.9 13.9 5.0 1.5 2.2 2.6 2.5 9.8 19.6 .499 0.1 0.5 .256 4.5 5.7 .791
difference:+2+8.6+12.2+1.8+7.7+9.5+0.9+1.8-0.2-0.2+4.9+8.0+.081+0.2+0.5+.021+2.5+3.3+.019
Penny Hardaway 80 30.8 12.0 1.2 3.2 4.4 4.1 1.5 0.4 2.4 2.3 4.9 11.6 .418 0.3 1.0 .277 2.0 2.4 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 18 43.5 24.3 2.2 12.4 14.6 5.1 1.3 2.3 4.2 3.2 9.3 20.7 .452 0.3 0.9 .313 5.4 6.9 .776
Penny Hardaway DNP------ --- ----------

Season 10

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2004-052002-03
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 82 38.1 22.2 3.0 10.5 13.5 5.7 1.5 1.4 2.7 2.5 8.3 16.6 .502 0.1 0.3 .240 5.4 6.7 .811
difference:+24+7.5+11.6+1.9+7.2+9.1+1.6+0.4+1.0-0.2-0.1+3.9+6.7+.055+0.3+1.0+.116+4.1+5.0+.017
Penny Hardaway 58 30.6 10.6 1.1 3.3 4.4 4.1 1.1 0.4 2.5 2.6 4.4 9.9 .447 0.4 1.3 .356 1.3 1.7 .794
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett DNP------ --- ----------
Penny Hardaway 6 40.7 12.7 1.5 4.5 6.0 4.3 2.2 0.8 2.2 4.3 4.5 11.7 .386 1.5 4.2 .360 2.2 3.0 .722

Season 11

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2005-062003-04
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns, New York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayKnicks Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 76 38.9 21.8 2.8 9.9 12.7 4.1 1.4 1.4 2.4 2.7 8.2 15.7 .526 0.1 0.4 .267 5.2 6.4 .810
difference:+11.3+12.6+1.9+7.0+8.9+1.8+0.5+1.1-1.0-0.8+4.5+6.8+.115+0.3+0.6+.113+3.7+4.6+.006
Penny Hardaway 76 27.6 9.2 0.9 2.9 3.8 2.3 0.9 0.3 1.4 1.9 3.7 8.9 .411 0.4 1.0 .380 1.5 1.8 .804
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett DNP------ --- ----------
Penny Hardaway 4 42.0 16.5 1.0 3.5 4.5 5.8 1.5 0.3 2.5 2.0 5.8 15.8 .365 1.3 3.5 .357 3.8 4.5 .833

Season 12

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2006-072004-05
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 76 39.4 22.4 2.4 10.4 12.8 4.1 1.2 1.7 2.7 2.4 8.4 17.6 .476 0.2 0.7 .214 5.5 6.6 .835
difference:+39+15.2+15.1+1.9+8.5+10.4+2.1+0.4+1.6-1.3-0.3+5.4+10.6+.053+0.2+0.7+.086+4.6+5.4+.096
Penny Hardaway 37 24.2 7.3 0.5 1.9 2.4 2.0 0.8 0.1 1.4 2.1 3.0 7.0 .423 0.4 1.4 .300 0.9 1.2 .739
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Garnett nor Penny Hardaway played in the postseason in their season 12

Season 13

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2007-082005-06
Team Boston CelticsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Defensive Player of the Year-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
13th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 71 32.8 18.8 1.9 7.3 9.2 3.4 1.4 1.3 1.9 2.3 7.5 13.9 .539 0.0 0.2 .000 3.8 4.7 .801
difference:+67+14.8+16.3+1.9+4.8+6.7+1.4+0.9+1.3-0.4-0.5+6.5+10.4+.253+0.1+3.3+4.2+.199
Penny Hardaway 4 18.0 2.5 0.0 2.5 2.5 2.0 0.5 0.0 1.5 1.8 1.0 3.5 .286 0.0 0.3 .000 0.5 0.5 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 26 38.0 20.4 2.8 7.8 10.5 3.3 1.3 1.1 2.1 2.8 8.3 16.8 .495 0.1 0.3 .250 3.6 4.5 .810
Penny Hardaway DNP------ --- ----------

Note: Penny Hardaway didn't play in 2006-07.

Season 14

Kevin Garnett Penny Hardaway
Season 2008-092007-08
Team Boston CelticsMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
14th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Garnett 57 31.1 15.8 1.4 7.1 8.5 2.5 1.1 1.2 1.6 2.2 6.9 13.0 .531 0.0 0.1 .250 1.9 2.3 .841
difference:+41+10.8+12.0+1.2+5.1+6.3+0.3+0.1+1.1-0.8-0.7+5.5+9.2+.164+0.5+1.1+.171+1.4+1.7+.048
Penny Hardaway 16 20.3 3.8 0.2 2.0 2.2 2.2 1.2 0.1 0.8 1.5 1.4 3.8 .367 0.5 1.2 .421 0.5 0.6 .889
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Garnett nor Penny Hardaway played in the postseason in their season 14

Additional Years

* Kevin Garnett played 7 seasons more than Penny Hardaway in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 15 to 21, from 2010 to 2016—Kevin Garnett played in 5 Playoffs.

In those 7 extra years over Penny Hardaway, Kevin Garnett got these achievements:

Honors & AwardsAchievement 1 All-Defensive First Team
Achievement 1 All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement 3 All-Star Game