Kevin McHale vs. Tim Thomas Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Tim Thomas and Kevin McHale, 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.

Kevin McHale and Tim Thomas both played 13 years in the NBA. Kevin McHale had the first of his seasons in 1980-81, while Tim Thomas had his rookie season in 1997-98. 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
Kevin McHale 13 13 1980-81 to 1992-93
Tim Thomas 13 7 1997-98 to 2009-10

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1980-811997-98
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
-Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 82 20.1 10.0 1.9 2.5 4.4 0.7 0.3 1.8 1.3 3.2 4.3 8.1 .533 0.0 0.0 .000 1.3 1.9 .679
Tim Thomas 77 23.1 11.0 1.4 2.4 3.7 1.2 0.7 0.2 1.5 2.4 4.0 8.9 .447 0.8 2.2 .363 2.2 3.0 .740
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 17 17.4 8.5 1.7 1.8 3.5 0.8 0.2 1.5 0.9 3.0 3.6 6.6 .540 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.1 .639
Tim Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1981-821998-99
Team Boston CelticsPhiladelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsBucks 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 %
Kevin McHale 82 28.4 13.6 2.3 4.5 6.8 1.1 0.4 2.3 1.7 3.2 5.7 10.7 .531 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.0 .754
Tim Thomas 50 16.2 7.2 1.0 1.5 2.5 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.9 2.1 2.6 5.6 .473 0.4 1.4 .309 1.5 2.2 .652
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 12 28.7 16.2 3.4 3.7 7.1 0.9 0.4 2.3 1.3 3.7 6.4 11.2 .575 0.0 0.0 - 3.3 4.4 .755
Tim Thomas 3 19.7 7.7 1.3 2.7 4.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.7 3.7 2.7 6.0 .444 0.0 0.7 .000 2.3 4.0 .583

Season 3

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1982-831999-00
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf SemisBucks 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 %
Kevin McHale 82 28.6 14.1 2.6 4.1 6.7 1.3 0.4 2.3 1.9 2.9 5.9 10.9 .541 0.0 0.0 .000 2.4 3.3 .717
Tim Thomas 80 26.2 11.8 1.3 2.9 4.2 1.4 0.7 0.4 1.6 2.8 4.3 9.4 .461 0.8 2.3 .346 2.4 3.0 .774
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 7 25.3 11.1 2.1 3.9 6.0 0.7 0.4 1.0 1.4 2.3 4.9 8.9 .548 0.0 0.1 .000 1.4 2.6 .556
Tim Thomas 5 28.4 15.4 1.2 3.6 4.8 2.0 0.2 0.8 0.2 2.8 5.8 11.8 .492 1.0 3.0 .333 2.8 3.4 .824

Season 4

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1983-842000-01
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement Sixth Man of the Year-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBucks Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 82 31.4 18.4 2.5 4.9 7.4 1.3 0.3 1.5 1.8 3.0 7.2 12.9 .556 0.0 0.0 .333 4.1 5.4 .765
Tim Thomas 76 27.4 12.6 1.0 3.1 4.1 1.8 1.0 0.6 1.5 2.6 4.3 10.0 .430 1.4 3.4 .412 2.6 3.3 .771
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 23 30.5 14.8 2.7 3.5 6.2 1.2 0.1 1.5 1.7 3.3 5.3 10.6 .504 0.0 0.1 .000 4.1 5.3 .777
Tim Thomas 18 26.5 11.3 1.2 3.3 4.5 1.6 0.5 0.6 1.2 2.9 3.6 7.9 .448 1.2 2.8 .431 2.9 3.6 .815

Season 5

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1984-852001-02
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement Sixth Man of the Year-
Playoffs Celtics Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 79 33.6 19.8 2.9 6.1 9.0 1.8 0.4 1.5 2.0 3.0 7.7 13.4 .570 0.0 0.1 .000 4.5 5.9 .760
Tim Thomas 74 26.9 11.7 0.9 3.2 4.1 1.4 0.9 0.4 1.7 2.7 4.3 10.2 .420 1.3 3.9 .326 1.9 2.4 .793
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 21 39.9 22.1 3.5 6.4 9.9 1.5 0.6 2.2 2.9 3.5 8.2 14.4 .568 0.0 0.0 - 5.8 7.1 .807
Tim Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1985-862002-03
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBucks 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 %
Kevin McHale 68 35.3 21.3 2.5 5.6 8.1 2.7 0.4 2.0 2.2 2.8 8.3 14.4 .574 0.0 0.0 - 4.8 6.2 .776
Tim Thomas 80 29.5 13.3 1.2 3.7 4.9 1.3 0.9 0.6 1.7 3.2 5.2 11.6 .443 1.2 3.3 .366 1.8 2.3 .780
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 18 39.7 24.9 2.8 5.8 8.6 2.7 0.4 2.4 2.7 3.6 9.3 16.1 .579 0.0 0.1 .000 6.2 7.8 .794
Tim Thomas 6 31.8 17.8 1.3 3.5 4.8 1.3 0.5 1.0 1.3 4.5 6.0 13.0 .462 2.0 3.5 .571 3.8 5.3 .719

Season 7

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1986-872003-04
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost NBA FinalsKnicks 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 %
Kevin McHale 77 39.7 26.1 3.2 6.7 9.9 2.6 0.5 2.2 2.6 3.1 10.3 17.0 .604 0.0 0.1 .000 5.6 6.6 .836
Tim Thomas 66 31.7 14.7 1.0 3.9 4.8 1.9 1.0 0.3 1.8 3.0 5.5 12.3 .446 1.1 2.9 .376 2.6 3.3 .784
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 21 39.4 21.1 3.1 6.1 9.2 1.9 0.3 1.4 2.6 3.4 8.3 14.2 .584 0.0 0.0 - 4.6 6.0 .762
Tim Thomas 1 23.0 12.0 1.0 4.0 5.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 5.0 4.0 10.0 .400 0.0 1.0 .000 4.0 5.0 .800

Season 8

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1987-882004-05
Team Boston CelticsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 64 37.3 22.6 2.5 5.9 8.4 2.7 0.4 1.4 2.2 2.8 8.6 14.2 .604 0.0 0.0 - 5.4 6.8 .797
Tim Thomas 71 27.3 12.0 0.6 2.7 3.3 1.5 0.6 0.2 1.6 3.1 4.4 10.1 .439 1.2 2.9 .409 1.9 2.4 .786
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 17 42.1 25.4 3.2 4.8 8.0 2.4 0.4 1.8 2.3 3.8 9.3 15.4 .603 0.1 0.1 1.000 6.8 8.1 .839
Tim Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1988-892005-06
Team Boston CelticsChicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf 1st RdSuns Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 78 36.9 22.5 2.9 5.3 8.2 2.2 0.3 1.2 2.5 2.9 8.5 15.5 .546 0.0 0.1 .000 5.6 6.8 .818
Tim Thomas 29 23.0 10.3 0.8 3.8 4.5 0.7 0.6 0.2 1.1 2.7 3.9 9.0 .431 1.6 3.8 .414 1.0 1.4 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 3 38.3 19.0 2.3 5.7 8.0 3.0 0.3 0.7 1.3 4.3 6.7 13.7 .488 0.0 0.0 - 5.7 7.7 .739
Tim Thomas 20 31.8 15.1 0.8 5.5 6.3 1.3 0.9 0.4 1.1 4.5 5.4 11.0 .491 2.4 5.4 .444 1.9 2.5 .776

Season 10

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1989-902006-07
Team Boston CelticsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 82 33.2 20.9 2.5 5.8 8.3 2.1 0.4 1.9 2.2 3.0 7.9 14.4 .549 0.3 0.8 .333 4.8 5.4 .893
Tim Thomas 76 27.0 11.0 0.8 4.1 5.0 2.3 0.7 0.4 1.4 3.0 3.9 9.5 .414 1.8 4.7 .382 1.3 1.9 .708
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 5 38.4 22.0 1.6 6.2 7.8 2.6 0.4 2.0 2.8 3.4 8.4 13.8 .609 0.2 0.6 .333 5.0 5.8 .862
Tim Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1990-912007-08
Team Boston CelticsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East 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 %
Kevin McHale 68 30.4 18.4 2.1 4.9 7.1 1.9 0.4 2.1 2.1 2.9 7.4 13.4 .553 0.2 0.5 .405 3.4 4.0 .829
Tim Thomas 63 30.8 12.4 1.0 4.1 5.1 2.7 0.6 0.5 1.6 3.0 4.6 11.2 .413 1.3 4.3 .306 1.8 2.4 .752
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 11 34.2 20.7 1.6 4.9 6.5 1.8 0.5 1.3 1.3 3.8 7.1 13.5 .527 0.5 1.0 .545 6.0 7.3 .825
Tim Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1991-922008-09
Team Boston CelticsLos Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf SemisBulls 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 %
Kevin McHale 56 25.0 13.9 2.1 3.8 5.9 1.5 0.2 1.1 1.5 2.0 5.8 11.3 .509 0.0 0.2 .000 2.4 2.9 .822
Tim Thomas 64 19.5 8.5 0.7 2.5 3.1 1.1 0.5 0.2 1.1 2.3 3.0 6.8 .432 1.2 3.0 .413 1.4 1.9 .736
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 10 30.6 16.5 2.1 4.6 6.7 1.3 0.5 0.5 0.9 3.4 6.5 12.6 .516 0.0 0.1 .000 3.5 4.4 .795
Tim Thomas 2 7.5 3.5 0.0 1.5 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.0 1.5 5.0 .300 0.5 2.0 .250 0.0 0.0 -

Season 13

Kevin McHale Tim Thomas
Season 1992-932009-10
Team Boston CelticsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 71 23.3 10.7 1.3 3.7 5.0 1.0 0.2 0.8 1.3 1.8 4.2 9.1 .459 0.0 0.3 .111 2.3 2.7 .841
Tim Thomas 18 15.8 7.5 0.7 1.6 2.3 0.8 0.6 0.1 0.8 1.7 2.7 5.9 .462 0.9 2.4 .372 1.2 1.3 .875
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin McHale 4 28.3 19.0 2.3 5.0 7.3 0.8 0.5 1.8 1.3 1.5 8.0 13.8 .582 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 3.5 .857
Tim Thomas ------- --- ----------