Michael Cooper vs. Gar Heard Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Gar Heard and Michael Cooper, 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.

Michael Cooper played 12 years in the NBA, 1 more than Gar Heard, who played 11. Michael Cooper had the first of his seasons in 1978-79, while Gar Heard had his rookie season in 1970-71. 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
Michael Cooper 12 11 1978-79 to 1989-90
Gar Heard 11 7 1970-71 to 1980-81

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1978-791970-71
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
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 %
Michael Cooper 3 2.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 1.0 2.0 .500 - - - 0.0 0.0 -
Gar Heard 65 15.8 5.9 - - 5.0 0.7 - - - 1.9 2.3 6.1 .381 - - - 1.3 1.9 .656
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper ------- --- ----------
Gar Heard ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1979-801971-72
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards
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 %
Michael Cooper 82 24.1 8.8 1.2 1.6 2.8 2.7 1.0 0.5 1.7 2.6 3.7 7.0 .524 0.1 0.2 .250 1.4 1.7 .776
Gar Heard 58 25.8 7.9 - - 7.6 0.9 - - - 2.2 3.3 8.2 .401 - - - 1.4 2.2 .617
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 16 29.0 9.1 1.8 1.9 3.7 3.6 1.5 0.7 1.8 3.4 3.6 8.8 .407 0.0 0.1 .000 1.9 2.3 .861
Gar Heard ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1980-811972-73
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics, Chicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdBulls Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 81 32.4 9.4 1.5 2.7 4.1 4.1 1.6 1.0 2.0 3.1 4.0 8.1 .491 0.0 0.2 .211 1.4 1.8 .785
Gar Heard 81 19.2 10.1 - - 5.6 0.7 - - - 2.1 4.3 10.2 .425 - - - 1.4 2.2 .652
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 3 34.0 10.7 0.7 2.7 3.3 2.3 2.0 0.0 2.3 2.3 3.7 6.7 .550 0.0 1.0 .000 3.3 4.7 .714
Gar Heard 2 4.5 2.0 - - 1.5 0.0 - - - 2.0 1.0 2.0 .500 - - - 0.0 0.0 -

Season 4

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1981-821973-74
Team Los Angeles LakersBuffalo Braves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBraves 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 %
Michael Cooper 76 28.9 11.9 1.1 2.4 3.5 3.0 1.6 0.8 2.0 2.8 5.0 9.8 .517 0.0 0.2 .118 1.8 2.3 .813
Gar Heard 81 35.7 15.3 3.3 8.4 11.7 2.2 1.7 2.8 - 3.7 6.5 14.9 .435 - - - 2.4 3.6 .650
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 14 27.4 11.9 1.4 3.0 4.4 4.4 1.7 0.8 2.1 3.4 5.0 8.9 .565 0.1 0.1 .500 1.8 2.4 .735
Gar Heard 6 40.0 16.8 3.7 11.0 14.7 2.5 1.5 2.0 - 3.3 7.0 15.3 .457 - - - 2.8 4.0 .708

Season 5

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1982-831974-75
Team Los Angeles LakersBuffalo Braves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsBraves 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 26.2 7.8 1.0 2.3 3.3 3.8 1.4 0.6 1.6 2.5 3.2 6.1 .535 0.1 0.3 .238 1.2 1.6 .785
Gar Heard 67 32.1 11.1 2.8 7.2 9.9 2.8 1.6 1.8 - 3.6 4.7 12.2 .388 - - - 1.6 2.8 .564
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 15 30.2 9.4 0.8 3.1 3.9 2.9 1.7 0.4 1.3 3.6 3.5 7.6 .465 0.1 0.5 .143 2.3 2.7 .829
Gar Heard 7 35.7 11.7 3.4 7.4 10.9 2.6 1.3 1.1 - 4.0 5.4 13.7 .396 - - - 0.9 2.0 .429

Season 6

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1983-841975-76
Team Los Angeles LakersBuffalo Braves, Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsSuns Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 82 29.1 9.0 0.6 2.5 3.2 5.9 1.4 0.8 1.8 3.3 3.3 6.7 .497 0.5 1.5 .314 1.9 2.3 .838
Gar Heard 86 31.9 11.0 2.9 7.2 10.1 2.2 1.4 1.1 - 3.5 4.6 10.5 .435 - - - 1.8 2.9 .637
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 21 34.4 11.3 1.0 3.0 3.9 5.7 1.1 1.0 1.4 3.8 4.2 9.1 .461 0.6 1.7 .333 2.4 3.0 .806
Gar Heard 19 37.9 13.9 2.8 7.6 10.4 1.7 2.1 1.9 - 2.9 5.5 12.5 .441 - - - 2.9 4.3 .679

Season 7

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1984-851976-77
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 26.7 8.6 0.7 2.4 3.1 5.2 1.1 0.6 1.9 2.5 3.4 7.2 .465 0.4 1.5 .285 1.4 1.6 .865
Gar Heard 46 29.6 9.7 2.6 7.0 9.6 1.9 1.2 1.2 - 3.0 3.8 9.9 .379 - - - 2.2 3.0 .725
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 19 26.4 10.4 0.6 3.4 4.0 4.9 1.1 0.5 1.9 2.4 3.7 6.6 .563 0.4 1.4 .308 2.5 2.7 .923
Gar Heard ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1985-861977-78
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsSuns 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 27.7 9.2 0.5 2.4 3.0 5.7 1.1 0.5 1.8 2.9 3.3 7.4 .452 0.8 2.0 .387 1.8 2.1 .865
Gar Heard 80 26.2 7.8 2.1 6.1 8.2 1.7 1.6 1.3 1.5 2.7 3.3 7.8 .424 - - - 1.1 1.8 .612
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 14 30.1 9.7 1.1 2.1 3.3 4.9 1.3 0.3 1.5 1.7 3.9 8.2 .470 1.4 2.9 .463 0.6 0.8 .818
Gar Heard 2 31.0 6.5 2.0 6.0 8.0 2.5 1.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 8.5 .353 - - - 0.5 1.0 .500

Season 9

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1986-871978-79
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Defensive Player of the Year-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 27.5 10.5 0.7 2.4 3.1 4.5 1.0 0.5 1.2 2.4 3.9 9.0 .438 1.1 2.8 .385 1.5 1.8 .851
Gar Heard 63 19.3 6.3 1.6 4.0 5.6 1.0 0.8 0.9 1.0 2.2 2.6 5.8 .441 - - - 1.1 1.6 .689
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 18 29.0 13.0 0.4 2.8 3.3 5.0 1.4 0.8 2.1 2.6 4.3 8.8 .484 1.9 3.9 .486 2.6 3.0 .852
Gar Heard 15 21.3 5.5 1.6 5.5 7.1 0.9 0.8 1.7 1.4 2.6 2.1 5.7 .372 - - - 1.2 2.0 .600

Season 10

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1987-881979-80
Team Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionSuns Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 61 29.4 8.7 0.8 2.9 3.7 4.7 1.1 0.4 1.7 2.2 3.1 7.9 .392 0.9 2.9 .320 1.6 1.9 .858
Gar Heard 82 17.1 5.0 1.4 3.2 4.6 1.2 1.0 0.6 1.1 2.2 2.1 5.0 .417 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.0 .744
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 24 24.5 6.4 0.6 1.8 2.4 2.8 0.8 0.4 0.9 2.4 2.3 5.5 .412 1.0 2.6 .403 0.8 1.1 .741
Gar Heard 8 27.9 6.9 2.4 4.0 6.4 1.5 1.1 1.4 1.0 2.9 2.8 7.0 .393 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 1.9 .733

Season 11

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1988-891980-81
Team Los Angeles LakersSan Diego Clippers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Michael Cooper 80 24.3 7.3 0.4 2.0 2.4 3.9 0.9 0.4 1.2 2.3 2.7 6.2 .431 1.0 2.6 .381 1.0 1.2 .871
Gar Heard 78 20.9 4.8 1.5 2.9 4.5 1.6 1.3 0.9 1.0 2.5 1.9 5.1 .376 0.0 0.1 .000 1.0 1.3 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 15 27.6 7.7 0.6 2.1 2.7 4.7 0.6 0.5 1.1 2.5 2.5 5.9 .416 1.4 3.7 .382 1.3 1.6 .833
Gar Heard ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Michael Cooper Gar Heard
Season 1989-90-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf Semis-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 80 23.1 6.4 0.7 2.1 2.8 2.7 0.8 0.5 1.1 2.6 2.4 6.2 .387 0.6 2.0 .318 1.0 1.2 .883
Gar Heard ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 9 19.2 2.6 1.2 1.4 2.7 2.8 0.8 0.4 0.8 2.3 1.1 3.9 .286 0.3 1.3 .250 0.0 0.0 -
Gar Heard ------- --- ----------