Lester Conner vs. J.R. Smith Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of J.R. Smith and Lester Conner, 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.

Lester Conner played 12 years in the NBA, 4 less than J.R. Smith, who played 16. Lester Conner had the first of his seasons in 1982-83, while J.R. Smith had his rookie season in 2004-05. 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
Lester Conner 12 4 1982-83 to 1994-95
J.R. Smith 16 12 2004-05 to 2019-20

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16

Rookie Season

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1982-832004-05
Team Golden State WarriorsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 75 18.9 4.9 0.9 2.0 2.9 3.4 1.5 0.1 1.3 1.9 1.9 4.0 .479 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 1.5 .699
J.R. Smith 76 24.5 10.3 0.5 1.5 2.0 1.9 0.7 0.1 1.4 1.8 3.9 9.8 .394 1.1 3.7 .288 1.5 2.1 .689
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1983-842005-06
Team Golden State WarriorsNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 82 31.4 11.1 1.6 2.1 3.7 4.9 2.0 0.1 1.7 2.1 4.4 8.9 .493 0.0 0.1 .167 2.3 3.2 .718
J.R. Smith 55 18.0 7.7 0.3 1.7 2.0 1.1 0.7 0.1 1.0 1.6 2.6 6.7 .393 0.9 2.5 .371 1.5 1.8 .822
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1984-852006-07
Team Golden State WarriorsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 79 28.6 8.1 1.1 2.0 3.1 4.7 2.0 0.2 1.7 1.7 3.1 6.9 .451 0.1 0.3 .200 1.8 2.4 .750
J.R. Smith 63 23.3 13.0 0.5 1.8 2.3 1.4 0.8 0.1 1.3 2.3 4.5 10.2 .441 2.4 6.1 .390 1.6 2.0 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 4 11.8 4.5 0.3 2.0 2.3 0.5 1.0 0.3 0.8 1.5 1.5 5.5 .273 0.0 3.0 .000 1.5 1.5 1.000

Season 4

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1985-862007-08
Team Golden State WarriorsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 36 11.5 4.0 0.7 1.0 1.7 1.2 0.7 0.0 0.4 0.6 1.4 3.8 .375 0.1 0.2 .286 1.1 1.5 .741
J.R. Smith 74 19.2 12.3 0.6 1.5 2.1 1.7 0.8 0.2 1.5 1.9 4.2 9.1 .461 2.1 5.3 .403 1.7 2.4 .719
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 4 27.0 18.3 0.3 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.0 0.0 1.3 3.0 5.8 10.8 .535 1.8 5.5 .318 5.0 6.0 .833

Note: Lester Conner didn't play in 1986-87.

Season 5

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1987-882008-09
Team Houston RocketsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdNuggets 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 %
Lester Conner 52 7.7 2.5 0.4 0.3 0.7 1.1 0.7 0.0 0.6 0.6 1.0 2.1 .463 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 0.8 .780
J.R. Smith 81 27.7 15.2 0.5 3.1 3.7 2.8 1.0 0.2 1.9 2.3 5.2 11.7 .446 2.2 5.6 .397 2.5 3.4 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 1 1.0 2.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 2.0 1.000
J.R. Smith 16 27.2 14.9 0.7 2.6 3.3 2.8 1.1 0.3 1.6 3.2 5.5 12.1 .454 2.4 6.6 .358 1.6 2.9 .543

Season 6

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1988-892009-10
Team New Jersey NetsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 82 30.9 10.3 1.2 3.1 4.3 7.4 2.2 0.1 2.2 1.6 3.8 8.2 .457 0.2 0.5 .351 2.6 3.3 .788
J.R. Smith 75 27.8 15.4 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.4 1.3 0.3 1.9 2.3 5.7 13.8 .414 2.1 6.2 .338 1.9 2.7 .706
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 6 26.5 11.2 0.8 3.0 3.8 1.7 0.7 0.3 1.0 2.8 3.5 9.5 .368 1.8 5.2 .355 2.3 2.7 .875

Season 7

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1989-902010-11
Team New Jersey NetsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 82 28.7 7.9 1.1 2.1 3.2 4.7 2.1 0.1 1.7 2.2 2.9 7.0 .414 0.0 0.2 .154 2.1 2.6 .804
J.R. Smith 79 24.9 12.3 0.6 3.5 4.1 2.2 1.2 0.2 1.3 2.2 4.3 9.9 .435 1.6 4.0 .390 2.1 2.8 .738
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 5 15.2 9.8 0.2 1.8 2.0 1.0 0.4 0.0 1.6 1.6 3.2 9.0 .356 1.8 4.2 .429 1.6 2.2 .727

Season 8

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1990-912011-12
Team New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee BucksNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bucks Lost East Conf 1st RdKnicks 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 %
Lester Conner 74 13.6 3.5 0.3 1.2 1.5 2.2 1.1 0.0 0.8 1.0 1.3 2.8 .464 0.0 0.1 .000 0.9 1.3 .723
J.R. Smith 35 27.6 12.5 0.8 3.1 3.9 2.4 1.5 0.2 1.3 2.5 4.7 11.6 .407 1.9 5.5 .347 1.1 1.6 .709
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 1 7.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.000 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 1.0 .000
J.R. Smith 5 35.0 12.2 0.4 2.2 2.6 2.2 1.2 0.2 2.2 3.8 4.8 15.2 .316 1.0 5.6 .179 1.6 1.6 1.000

Season 9

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1991-922012-13
Team Milwaukee BucksNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards -Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Playoffs Did Not PlayKnicks 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 %
Lester Conner 81 17.5 3.5 0.8 1.5 2.3 3.6 1.2 0.1 1.0 1.1 1.3 3.0 .431 0.0 0.1 .000 1.0 1.4 .704
J.R. Smith 80 33.5 18.1 0.8 4.5 5.3 2.7 1.3 0.3 1.7 2.8 6.6 15.6 .422 1.9 5.5 .356 3.0 3.9 .762
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 11 31.9 14.3 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.4 1.0 0.5 1.8 2.5 4.9 14.8 .331 1.6 6.0 .273 2.8 3.9 .721

Season 10

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1992-932013-14
Team Los Angeles ClippersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Clippers Lost West 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 %
Lester Conner 31 13.6 2.4 0.5 1.1 1.6 2.1 1.1 0.1 0.7 1.3 0.9 2.0 .452 0.0 0.0 - 0.6 0.6 .947
J.R. Smith 74 32.7 14.5 0.5 3.5 4.0 3.0 0.9 0.3 1.5 2.6 5.4 12.9 .415 2.6 6.5 .394 1.2 1.9 .652
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 5 12.8 4.2 0.6 0.8 1.4 2.0 0.6 0.2 0.0 1.0 1.8 2.4 .750 0.2 0.2 1.000 0.4 0.4 1.000
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1993-942014-15
Team Indiana PacersNew York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Pacers Lost East Conf FinalsCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 11 15.4 2.8 0.9 1.3 2.2 2.8 1.3 0.1 0.8 1.1 1.3 3.5 .368 0.0 0.3 .000 0.3 0.5 .500
J.R. Smith 70 29.7 12.1 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.8 1.2 0.3 1.4 2.3 4.5 10.8 .417 2.3 6.1 .383 0.8 1.0 .750
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner 6 3.7 1.0 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.8 .400 0.0 0.0 - 0.3 0.3 1.000
J.R. Smith 18 31.1 12.8 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.8 3.0 4.6 11.4 .403 2.8 7.9 .359 0.8 1.1 .700

Season 12

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season 1994-952015-16
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
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 %
Lester Conner 2 2.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 1.0 1.000
J.R. Smith 77 30.7 12.4 0.6 2.3 2.8 1.7 1.1 0.3 0.8 2.6 4.6 11.0 .415 2.6 6.6 .400 0.6 0.9 .634
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 21 34.8 11.5 0.3 2.9 3.2 1.4 1.2 0.2 0.5 2.6 3.9 9.0 .436 3.1 7.2 .430 0.6 1.0 .619

Season 13

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season -2016-17
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Cavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 41 29.0 8.6 0.4 2.3 2.8 1.5 1.0 0.3 0.6 1.9 3.0 8.7 .346 2.3 6.6 .351 0.2 0.4 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 18 27.1 8.1 0.3 2.1 2.3 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.7 2.3 2.8 5.5 .505 2.2 4.4 .500 0.3 0.6 .455

Season 14

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season -2017-18
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Cavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 80 28.1 8.3 0.4 2.6 2.9 1.8 0.9 0.1 1.0 2.0 3.0 7.4 .403 1.8 4.8 .375 0.5 0.7 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 22 32.1 8.7 0.5 2.3 2.7 1.1 1.0 0.2 0.9 2.5 3.0 8.5 .348 2.0 5.5 .367 0.8 1.0 .773

Season 15

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season -2018-19
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
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 %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 11 20.2 6.7 0.0 1.6 1.6 1.9 1.0 0.3 1.0 1.7 2.5 7.2 .342 1.1 3.5 .308 0.7 0.9 .800
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Lester Conner J.R. Smith
Season -2019-20
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -NBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 6 13.2 2.8 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.8 1.2 3.7 .318 0.2 1.8 .091 0.3 0.3 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Lester Conner ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 10 7.5 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.7 1.1 0.7 2.6 .269 0.6 2.2 .273 0.0 0.0 -