Kevin Johnson vs. D'Angelo Russell Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of D'Angelo Russell and Kevin Johnson, 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 / Stats Rankings

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 Johnson played 12 years in the NBA, 2 more than D'Angelo Russell, who played 10. Kevin Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1987-88, while D'Angelo Russell had his rookie season in 2015-16. 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 Johnson 12 11 1987-88 to 1999-00
D'Angelo Russell 10 4 2015-16 to 2024-25

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Rookie Season

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1987-882015-16
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix SunsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
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%
Kevin Johnson 80 24.0 9.2 0.5 1.9 2.4 5.5 1.3 0.3 1.8 1.9 3.4 7.5 .461 0.1 0.3 .208 2.2 2.6 .839
difference:+4.2+4.0+0.1+0.9+1.0+2.2+0.1+0.1-0.7-0.1+1.5+4.5+.051+1.5+4.3+.143+0.4+0.2+.102
D'Angelo Russell 80 28.2 13.2 0.6 2.8 3.4 3.3 1.2 0.2 2.5 1.8 4.9 12.0 .410 1.6 4.6 .351 1.8 2.4 .737
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Johnson nor D'Angelo Russell played in the postseason in their season 1

Season 2

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1988-892016-17
Team Phoenix SunsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Most Improved Player-
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf FinalsDid 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%
Kevin Johnson 81 39.2 20.4 0.6 3.6 4.2 12.2 1.7 0.3 4.0 2.8 7.0 13.9 .505 0.0 0.3 .091 6.3 7.1 .882
difference:+18+10.5+4.8+0.1+0.6+0.7+7.4+0.3-1.2-0.7+1.4+0.1+.100+2.1+5.8+.261+4.0+4.1+.100
D'Angelo Russell 63 28.7 15.6 0.5 3.0 3.5 4.8 1.4 0.3 2.8 2.1 5.6 13.8 .405 2.1 6.1 .352 2.3 3.0 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 12 41.2 23.8 1.0 3.3 4.3 12.3 1.6 0.4 4.6 2.3 7.5 15.2 .495 0.3 0.8 .300 8.5 9.2 .927
D'Angelo Russell DNP------ --- ----------

Season 3

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1989-902017-18
Team Phoenix SunsBrooklyn Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
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 Johnson 74 37.6 22.5 0.6 3.1 3.6 11.4 1.3 0.2 3.6 1.9 7.8 15.7 .499 0.1 0.6 .195 6.8 8.1 .838
difference:+26+11.9+7.0+0.2+0.3+6.2+0.5+0.2-0.5+2.0+1.7+.085+1.8+5.2+.129+4.8+5.4+.098
D'Angelo Russell 48 25.7 15.5 0.6 3.3 3.9 5.2 0.8 0.4 3.1 1.9 5.8 14.0 .414 1.9 5.8 .324 2.0 2.7 .740
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 16 36.4 21.3 0.6 2.8 3.3 10.6 1.6 0.0 3.9 1.8 7.7 16.1 .479 0.1 0.7 .182 5.8 7.0 .821
D'Angelo Russell DNP------ --- ----------

Season 4

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1990-912018-19
Team Phoenix SunsBrooklyn Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf 1st RdNets 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 Johnson 77 36.0 22.2 0.7 2.8 3.5 10.1 2.1 0.1 3.5 2.3 7.7 14.9 .516 0.1 0.6 .205 6.7 8.0 .843
difference:+4+5.8+1.1+0.4+0.4+3.1+0.9+0.1-0.4-0.6+0.4+3.8+.082+2.8+7.2+.164+4.7+5.5+.063
D'Angelo Russell 81 30.2 21.1 0.7 3.2 3.9 7.0 1.2 0.2 3.1 1.7 8.1 18.7 .434 2.9 7.8 .369 2.0 2.5 .780
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 4 36.5 12.8 0.5 2.8 3.3 9.8 0.5 0.3 3.0 2.3 4.0 13.3 .302 0.3 1.8 .143 4.5 7.5 .600
difference:+1+6.9+6.6+0.1+0.4+0.3+6.2+0.9+0.1-0.2-0.1+3.4+7.3+.057+2.1+5.6+.181+2.3+4.9+.246
D'Angelo Russell 5 29.6 19.4 0.4 3.2 3.6 3.6 1.4 0.2 2.8 2.4 7.4 20.6 .359 2.4 7.4 .324 2.2 2.6 .846

Season 5

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1991-922019-20
Team Phoenix SunsGolden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisDid 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 Johnson 78 37.2 19.7 0.8 3.0 3.7 10.7 1.5 0.3 3.5 2.3 6.9 14.4 .479 0.1 0.6 .217 5.7 7.1 .807
difference:+33+4.9+3.4+0.4+0.6+0.2+4.4+0.4-0.2-0.4+1.1+4.4+.053+3.4+9.0+.150+2.1+2.7+.002
D'Angelo Russell 45 32.3 23.1 0.4 3.6 3.9 6.3 1.1 0.3 3.3 1.9 8.0 18.8 .426 3.5 9.6 .367 3.6 4.4 .809
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 8 41.9 23.6 1.0 3.1 4.1 11.6 1.5 0.3 3.1 3.0 7.8 16.0 .484 0.4 0.8 .500 7.8 9.0 .861
D'Angelo Russell DNP------ --- ----------

Season 6

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1992-932020-21
Team Phoenix SunsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
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 Johnson 49 33.5 16.1 0.6 1.5 2.1 7.8 1.7 0.4 3.1 2.0 5.8 11.5 .499 0.0 0.2 .125 4.6 5.6 .819
difference:+7+5.0+2.9+0.2+0.8+0.5+2.0+0.6-0.4-0.4+0.9+4.0+.068+2.9+7.2+.262+1.9+2.1+.054
D'Angelo Russell 42 28.5 19.0 0.4 2.3 2.6 5.8 1.1 0.4 2.7 1.6 6.7 15.5 .431 2.9 7.4 .387 2.7 3.5 .765
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 23 39.7 17.8 0.4 2.3 2.7 7.9 1.5 0.6 3.7 2.5 6.2 13.0 .480 0.0 0.1 .000 5.4 6.8 .795
D'Angelo Russell DNP------ --- ----------

Season 7

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1993-942021-22
Team Phoenix SunsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisTimberwolves 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%
Kevin Johnson 67 36.6 20.0 0.8 1.7 2.5 9.5 1.9 0.1 3.5 1.9 7.1 14.6 .487 0.1 0.4 .222 5.7 6.9 .819
difference:+2+4.6+1.9+0.4+1.2+0.8+2.4+0.9+0.2-1.0-0.1+0.9+0.4+.076+2.6+7.6+.118+2.7+3.2+.006
D'Angelo Russell 65 32.0 18.1 0.4 2.9 3.3 7.1 1.0 0.3 2.5 2.0 6.2 15.0 .411 2.7 8.0 .340 3.0 3.7 .825
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 10 42.7 26.6 1.0 2.5 3.5 9.6 1.0 0.1 3.4 2.3 9.7 21.2 .458 0.3 1.0 .300 6.9 8.1 .852
difference:+4+10.0+14.6+1.0+1.0+2.9+0.5+0.1-0.6-0.5+5.7+9.2+.125+1.7+4.2+.087+4.9+5.4+.102
D'Angelo Russell 6 32.7 12.0 0.0 2.5 2.5 6.7 1.5 0.0 2.8 2.8 4.0 12.0 .333 2.0 5.2 .387 2.0 2.7 .750

Season 8

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1994-952022-23
Team Phoenix SunsMinnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf SemisLakers Lost West Conf Finals
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 Johnson 47 28.8 15.5 0.7 1.8 2.4 7.7 1.0 0.4 2.2 1.9 5.2 11.1 .470 0.1 0.6 .154 5.0 6.1 .810
difference:+24+3.7+2.3+0.2+0.7+0.6+1.5-0.4-0.1+1.1+2.3+.001+2.6+6.3+.242+2.5+3.1+.019
D'Angelo Russell 71 32.5 17.8 0.5 2.5 3.0 6.2 1.0 0.4 2.6 2.0 6.3 13.4 .469 2.7 6.9 .396 2.5 3.0 .829
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 10 37.1 24.8 0.7 3.4 4.1 9.3 0.9 0.4 3.4 2.5 8.6 15.0 .573 0.5 1.0 .500 7.1 8.4 .845
difference:+6+7.5+11.5+0.1+1.1+1.2+4.7+0.2+0.1-1.6-0.5+3.4+2.8+.147+1.2+4.4+.190+5.8+6.8+.076
D'Angelo Russell 16 29.6 13.3 0.6 2.3 2.9 4.6 0.7 0.3 1.8 2.0 5.2 12.2 .426 1.7 5.4 .310 1.3 1.6 .769

Season 9

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1995-962023-24
Team Phoenix SunsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf 1st RdLakers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
Others -NBA Cup NBA Cup Champion
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 Johnson 56 35.8 18.7 0.8 3.2 3.9 9.2 1.5 0.2 3.0 2.6 6.1 12.0 .507 0.4 1.0 .368 6.1 7.1 .859
difference:+20+3.1+0.7+0.4+0.5+0.8+2.9+0.6+0.3-0.9-0.5+0.4+2.2+.051+2.6+6.2+.047+4.0+4.6+.031
D'Angelo Russell 76 32.7 18.0 0.4 2.7 3.1 6.3 0.9 0.5 2.1 2.1 6.5 14.2 .456 3.0 7.2 .415 2.1 2.5 .828
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 4 37.8 17.3 0.5 3.8 4.3 10.8 0.5 0.5 2.8 2.0 6.8 14.3 .474 0.3 1.0 .250 3.5 4.3 .824
difference:+1+0.8+3.1+0.3+1.2+1.5+6.6+0.3+0.3-1.0-0.8+1.2+0.3+.090+2.5+7.8+.068+3.3+3.9+.324
D'Angelo Russell 5 37.0 14.2 0.2 2.6 2.8 4.2 0.8 0.2 1.8 1.2 5.6 14.6 .384 2.8 8.8 .318 0.2 0.4 .500

Season 10

Kevin Johnson D'Angelo Russell
Season 1996-972024-25
Team Phoenix SunsLos Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf 1st RdDid 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%
Kevin Johnson 70 38.0 20.1 0.8 2.8 3.6 9.3 1.5 0.2 3.1 2.0 6.3 12.7 .496 1.3 2.9 .441 6.3 7.4 .852
difference:+12+12.5+7.5+0.5+0.4+0.8+4.2+0.5+0.2-1.2+2.0+1.7+.106+0.6+3.3+.127+4.2+4.9+.018
D'Angelo Russell 58 25.5 12.6 0.3 2.4 2.8 5.1 1.0 0.4 1.9 2.0 4.3 11.0 .390 1.9 6.2 .314 2.1 2.5 .834
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Johnson 5 41.6 16.8 1.6 2.8 4.4 6.0 2.6 0.0 3.6 3.0 5.2 17.6 .295 0.6 4.4 .136 5.8 6.6 .879
D'Angelo Russell DNP------ --- ----------

Additional Years

* Kevin Johnson played 2 seasons more than D'Angelo Russell in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 11 to 12, from 1998 to 2000—Kevin Johnson played in two Playoffs.