Kevin Love vs. JaVale McGee Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of JaVale McGee and Kevin Love, 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.

Kevin Love played 18 years in the NBA, 2 more than JaVale McGee, who played 16. Kevin Love had the first of his seasons in 2008-09, while JaVale McGee had his rookie season in 2008-09. 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 Love 18 6 2008-09 to 2025-26
JaVale McGee 16 8 2008-09 to 2023-24

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

Rookie Season

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2008-092008-09
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Wizards
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 Love 81 25.3 11.1 3.4 5.7 9.1 1.0 0.4 0.6 1.5 2.5 3.9 8.5 .459 0.0 0.2 .105 3.3 4.1 .789
difference:+6+10.1+4.6+1.8+3.4+5.2+0.7+0.4-0.7-0.4+1.4+3.3+.035+0.2+1.9+1.9+.129
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
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Love nor JaVale McGee played in the postseason in their season 1

Season 2

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2009-102009-10
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Wizards
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%
Kevin Love 60 28.6 14.0 3.8 7.2 11.0 2.3 0.7 0.4 2.0 2.3 4.9 10.8 .450 0.6 1.8 .330 3.8 4.6 .815
difference:+12.5+7.6+2.3+4.6+6.9+2.1+0.4+1.3-1.1-0.3+2.3+5.7+.058+0.6+1.8+2.6+2.7+.177
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
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Love nor JaVale McGee played in the postseason in their season 2

Season 3

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2010-112010-11
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Wizards
Honors & Awards Achievement Most Improved Player-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid 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 Love 73 35.8 20.2 4.5 10.7 15.2 2.5 0.6 0.4 2.1 2.0 6.6 14.1 .470 1.2 2.9 .417 5.8 6.8 .850
difference:+6+8.0+10.1+1.7+5.5+7.2+2.0+0.1+2.0-0.8-0.9+2.4+6.5+.080+1.2+2.9+4.1+3.9+.267
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
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Love nor JaVale McGee played in the postseason in their season 3

Season 4

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2011-122011-12
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Wizards, Denver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets 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%
Kevin Love 55 39.0 26.0 4.1 9.2 13.3 2.0 0.9 0.5 2.3 2.8 8.6 19.3 .448 1.9 5.1 .372 6.9 8.4 .824
difference:+6+13.8+14.7+1.4+4.1+5.5+1.5+0.3+1.7-0.9-0.1+3.6+10.3+.108+1.9+5.1+5.6+5.7+.363
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------
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

Season 5

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2012-132012-13
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
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 Love 18 34.3 18.3 3.6 10.4 14.0 2.3 0.7 0.5 2.2 1.9 5.8 16.6 .352 1.1 5.1 .217 5.6 7.9 .704
difference:+61+16.2+9.2+1.6+7.6+9.2+2.0+0.3+1.5-1.1-0.4+2.0+9.9+.223+1.1+5.1+4.2+5.5+.113
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------
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

Season 6

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2013-142013-14
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid 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 Love 77 36.3 26.1 2.9 9.6 12.5 4.4 0.8 0.5 2.5 1.8 8.4 18.5 .457 2.5 6.6 .376 6.8 8.2 .821
difference:+72+20.5+19.1+0.9+8.2+9.1+4.0+0.6+0.9-0.9-1.4+5.0+10.9+.010+2.5+6.6+6.6+8.0+.179
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
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Love nor JaVale McGee played in the postseason in their season 6

Season 7

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2014-152014-15
Team Cleveland CavaliersDenver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
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 Love 75 33.8 16.4 1.9 7.9 9.7 2.2 0.7 0.5 1.6 1.9 5.5 12.7 .434 1.9 5.2 .367 3.4 4.3 .804
difference:+52+22.7+11.8+1.1+6.0+7.0+2.1+0.6+0.4-0.8-0.6+3.7+9.3+.098+1.9+5.2+2.4+2.9+.137
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love 4 26.8 14.3 1.5 5.5 7.0 2.5 0.3 0.5 1.5 3.0 4.3 10.3 .415 2.3 5.3 .429 3.5 4.8 .737
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------

Season 8

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2015-162015-16
Team Cleveland CavaliersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionMavericks Lost West 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%
Kevin Love 77 31.5 16.0 1.9 8.0 9.9 2.4 0.8 0.5 1.8 2.1 5.3 12.7 .419 2.1 5.7 .360 3.4 4.1 .822
difference:+43+20.6+10.9+0.3+5.6+6.0+2.3+0.7+0.3-1.2-0.7+3.0+8.8+.156+2.1+5.7+2.9+3.0+.322
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love 20 30.7 14.7 1.7 7.1 8.8 2.1 0.5 0.4 1.4 1.7 4.6 12.0 .385 2.3 5.6 .414 3.2 3.8 .840
difference:+18+23.7+12.7+0.7+6.6+7.3+2.1+0.4-0.1-0.2+4.1+11.0+.115+2.3+5.6+2.2+0.8+.507
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

Season 9

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2016-172016-17
Team Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA 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 Love 60 31.4 19.0 2.5 8.6 11.1 1.9 0.9 0.4 2.0 2.1 6.2 14.5 .427 2.4 6.5 .373 4.3 4.9 .871
difference:+17+21.8+12.9+1.2+6.7+7.9+1.7+0.7+0.5-1.5-0.7+3.5+10.4+.225+2.4+6.5+3.6+3.5+.366
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love 18 32.1 16.8 2.0 8.6 10.6 1.7 1.2 0.9 1.7 2.6 5.3 12.1 .436 2.8 6.2 .450 3.5 4.2 .840
difference:+2+22.8+10.9+0.6+7.0+7.6+1.4+1.1-1.2-0.7+2.7+8.6+.296+2.8+6.2+2.7+3.1+.118
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

Season 10

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2017-182017-18
Team Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
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 Love 59 28.0 17.6 1.7 7.5 9.3 1.7 0.7 0.4 1.5 2.0 5.7 12.4 .458 2.3 5.6 .415 4.0 4.5 .880
difference:+6+18.5+12.8+0.8+5.8+6.7+1.2+0.4+0.5-1.1-0.6+3.6+9.0+.163+2.3+5.5+.415+3.4+3.7+.149
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love 21 31.4 14.9 2.3 7.9 10.2 1.6 0.7 0.4 2.0 2.8 5.2 13.2 .392 1.7 5.0 .340 2.8 3.0 .922
difference:+8+19.2+8.4+1.1+5.9+7.0+1.3+0.5+0.4-1.6-1.3+2.2+8.7+.280+1.7+4.9+.340+2.3+2.3+.255
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

Season 11

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2018-192018-19
Team Cleveland CavaliersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
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 Love 22 27.2 17.0 1.5 9.4 10.9 2.2 0.3 0.2 1.9 2.5 5.0 12.9 .385 2.4 6.7 .361 4.7 5.2 .904
difference:+53+4.9+5.0+1.1+4.5+3.4+1.5+0.3+1.8-0.5-0.3+0.3+4.4+.239+2.4+6.5+.278+3.4+3.2+.272
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
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kevin Love nor JaVale McGee played in the postseason in their season 11

Season 12

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2019-202019-20
Team Cleveland CavaliersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA 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%
Kevin Love 56 31.8 17.6 1.0 8.8 9.8 3.2 0.6 0.3 2.5 1.6 5.8 13.0 .450 2.6 7.0 .374 3.3 3.9 .854
difference:+12+15.2+11.0+0.8+4.9+4.1+2.7+0.1+1.1-1.7-0.7+2.9+8.5+.187+2.6+6.9+.126+2.5+2.7+.208
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------
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

Season 13

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2020-212020-21
Team Cleveland CavaliersCleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf Semis
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 Love 25 24.9 12.2 0.7 6.8 7.4 2.5 0.6 0.1 1.5 1.0 4.1 10.1 .409 2.3 6.2 .365 1.7 2.0 .824
difference:+21+10.2+4.9+1.0+3.3+2.2+1.7+0.2+1.1-0.2-1.6+1.0+4.0+.102+2.2+5.7+.157+0.7+0.5+.167
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------
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

Season 14

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2021-222021-22
Team Cleveland CavaliersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns Lost West Conf Semis
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 Love 74 22.5 13.6 1.2 6.1 7.2 2.2 0.4 0.2 1.3 1.4 4.4 10.3 .430 2.5 6.4 .392 2.2 2.7 .838
difference:+6.7+4.4+1.0+1.6+0.5+1.6+0.1+0.9-1.0+0.5+4.1+.199+2.5+6.3+.170+0.8+0.7+.139
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------
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

Season 15

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2022-232022-23
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami HeatDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Heat Lost NBA FinalsDid 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%
Kevin Love 62 20.0 8.2 1.0 5.5 6.4 1.9 0.3 0.2 1.1 1.6 2.7 6.8 .389 1.6 4.8 .334 1.3 1.5 .879
difference:+20+11.5+3.8+0.3+3.7+3.9+1.6+0.2+0.4-0.2-0.3+0.8+3.8+.251+1.6+4.7+.066+0.7+0.5+.294
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love 20 18.0 6.9 0.7 4.9 5.6 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.8 2.3 6.0 .378 1.7 4.4 .375 0.7 0.8 .875
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------

Season 16

Kevin Love JaVale McGee
Season 2023-242023-24
Team Miami HeatSacramento Kings
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
16th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love 55 16.8 8.8 1.1 5.1 6.1 2.1 0.3 0.2 0.9 1.8 2.9 6.5 .440 1.5 4.4 .344 1.5 2.0 .787
difference:+9+9.4+4.8+0.2+3.3+3.4+1.7+0.2-0.2-0.8+1.2+3.6+.158+1.5+4.2+.201+0.9+1.0+.209
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Kevin Love 5 6.4 1.8 0.2 2.6 2.8 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.8 1.8 .444 0.2 0.8 .250 0.0 0.0 -
JaVale McGee DNP------ --- ----------

Additional Years

* Kevin Love played 2 seasons more than JaVale McGee in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 17 to 18, from 2025 to 2026—Kevin Love didn't play in the postseason.