Michael Finley vs. Nate Thurmond Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Nate Thurmond and Michael Finley, 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 Finley played 15 years in the NBA, 1 more than Nate Thurmond, who played 14. Michael Finley had the first of his seasons in 1995-96, while Nate Thurmond had his rookie season in 1963-64. 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 Finley 15 10 1995-96 to 2009-10
Nate Thurmond 14 9 1963-64 to 1976-77

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 1995-961963-64
Team Phoenix SunsSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 Finley 82 39.2 15.0 1.7 2.9 4.6 3.5 1.0 0.4 1.6 2.4 5.7 11.9 .476 0.7 2.3 .328 3.0 3.9 .749
Nate Thurmond 76 25.9 7.0 - - 10.4 1.1 - - - 2.4 2.9 7.3 .395 - - - 1.3 2.3 .549
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 12 34.2 10.0 - - 12.3 0.8 - - - 3.8 3.5 8.0 .438 - - - 3.0 4.4 .679

Season 2

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 1996-971964-65
Team Phoenix Suns, Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 Finley 83 33.6 15.0 1.1 3.4 4.5 2.7 0.8 0.3 2.0 1.7 5.7 12.9 .444 1.2 3.4 .361 2.4 3.0 .808
Nate Thurmond 77 41.2 16.5 - - 18.1 2.0 - - - 3.0 6.7 16.1 .419 - - - 3.1 4.6 .658
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 1997-981965-66
Team Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 Finley 82 41.4 21.5 1.8 3.5 5.3 4.9 1.6 0.4 2.7 2.0 8.2 18.4 .449 1.1 3.0 .357 4.0 5.1 .784
Nate Thurmond 73 39.6 16.3 - - 18.0 1.5 - - - 3.1 6.2 15.3 .406 - - - 3.8 5.9 .654
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 1998-991966-67
Team Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 Finley 50 41.0 20.2 1.4 3.9 5.3 4.4 1.3 0.3 2.1 1.9 7.8 17.5 .444 0.9 2.7 .331 3.7 4.5 .823
Nate Thurmond 65 42.5 18.7 - - 21.3 2.6 - - - 2.8 7.2 16.4 .437 - - - 4.3 6.8 .629
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 15 46.0 15.9 - - 23.1 3.1 - - - 3.5 6.2 14.3 .433 - - - 3.5 6.1 .571

Season 5

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 1999-001967-68
Team Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
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 Finley 82 42.2 22.6 1.5 4.8 6.3 5.3 1.3 0.4 2.4 2.1 9.1 20.0 .457 1.2 3.0 .401 3.2 3.9 .820
Nate Thurmond 51 43.6 20.5 - - 22.0 4.2 - - - 2.7 7.5 18.2 .411 - - - 5.5 8.6 .644
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2000-011968-69
Team Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf SemisWarriors Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 82 42.0 21.5 1.3 3.9 5.2 4.4 1.4 0.4 2.3 2.1 8.7 18.9 .458 1.1 3.2 .346 3.1 4.0 .775
Nate Thurmond 71 45.2 21.5 - - 19.7 3.6 - - - 2.4 8.0 19.6 .410 - - - 5.4 8.7 .615
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 10 43.4 19.7 1.3 4.0 5.3 4.4 1.2 0.2 2.4 2.3 7.2 20.0 .360 1.7 4.7 .362 3.6 4.4 .818
Nate Thurmond 6 43.8 16.7 - - 19.5 4.7 - - - 3.0 6.7 17.0 .392 - - - 3.3 5.7 .588

Season 7

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2001-021969-70
Team Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West 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 %
Michael Finley 69 39.9 20.6 1.3 3.9 5.2 3.3 0.9 0.4 1.7 2.1 8.2 17.8 .463 1.1 3.2 .339 3.0 3.6 .837
Nate Thurmond 43 44.6 21.9 - - 17.7 3.5 - - - 2.6 7.9 19.2 .414 - - - 6.1 8.0 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 8 46.5 24.6 1.6 4.6 6.3 2.3 1.5 0.5 1.9 3.0 8.6 18.5 .466 1.8 4.6 .378 5.6 6.3 .900
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2002-031970-71
Team Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf FinalsWarriors 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 Finley 69 38.3 19.3 1.6 4.3 5.8 3.0 1.1 0.3 1.7 1.5 7.3 17.3 .425 1.7 4.7 .370 2.9 3.3 .861
Nate Thurmond 82 40.9 20.0 - - 13.8 3.1 - - - 2.3 7.6 17.1 .445 - - - 4.8 6.6 .730
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 20 41.1 18.3 1.3 4.5 5.8 3.0 1.3 0.6 1.6 2.3 6.6 15.1 .435 2.4 5.7 .412 2.9 3.3 .864
Nate Thurmond 5 38.4 17.6 - - 10.2 3.0 - - - 4.0 7.2 19.4 .371 - - - 3.2 4.0 .800

Season 9

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2003-041971-72
Team Dallas MavericksGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf 1st RdWarriors 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 Finley 72 38.6 18.6 1.1 3.4 4.5 2.9 1.2 0.5 1.2 1.6 7.1 16.1 .443 2.1 5.1 .405 2.3 2.7 .850
Nate Thurmond 78 43.1 21.4 - - 16.1 2.9 - - - 2.7 8.1 18.6 .432 - - - 5.3 7.2 .743
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 5 39.4 13.0 1.2 2.0 3.2 2.6 0.8 0.6 1.8 1.6 5.2 13.6 .382 1.4 5.2 .269 1.2 2.0 .600
Nate Thurmond 5 46.0 25.4 - - 17.8 5.2 - - - 2.4 10.6 24.4 .434 - - - 4.2 5.6 .750

Season 10

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2004-051972-73
Team Dallas MavericksGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks Lost West Conf SemisWarriors 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 Finley 64 36.8 15.7 0.7 3.4 4.1 2.6 0.8 0.3 0.9 1.9 6.0 14.2 .427 1.8 4.5 .407 1.8 2.1 .831
Nate Thurmond 79 43.3 17.1 - - 17.1 3.5 - - - 3.0 6.5 14.7 .446 - - - 4.0 5.6 .718
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 13 38.2 13.1 1.0 3.3 4.3 2.2 1.3 0.0 1.0 2.5 5.0 11.8 .425 1.8 4.7 .393 1.2 1.4 .889
Nate Thurmond 11 41.8 14.5 - - 13.2 3.6 - - - 2.7 5.8 14.6 .398 - - - 2.9 3.6 .800

Season 11

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2005-061973-74
Team San Antonio SpursGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West 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 %
Michael Finley 77 26.5 10.1 0.4 2.8 3.2 1.5 0.5 0.1 0.8 1.3 3.7 9.0 .412 1.4 3.6 .394 1.3 1.5 .852
Nate Thurmond 62 39.7 13.0 4.0 10.1 14.2 2.7 0.7 2.9 - 2.9 5.0 11.2 .444 - - - 3.1 4.6 .666
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 13 31.6 10.5 0.1 3.7 3.8 1.4 0.6 0.2 0.7 1.5 3.8 8.1 .476 1.4 3.6 .383 1.4 1.5 .900
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2006-071974-75
Team San Antonio SpursChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBulls 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 Finley 82 22.2 9.0 0.4 2.3 2.7 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.9 3.3 8.1 .412 1.3 3.5 .364 1.1 1.2 .918
Nate Thurmond 80 34.5 7.9 3.2 8.1 11.3 4.1 0.6 2.4 - 3.4 3.1 8.6 .364 - - - 1.7 2.8 .589
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 20 26.9 11.3 0.4 2.5 2.9 1.1 0.6 0.2 0.7 1.4 3.7 8.9 .410 2.2 5.3 .419 1.8 2.0 .897
Nate Thurmond 13 19.5 3.5 1.8 4.8 6.7 2.4 0.4 1.6 - 2.8 1.1 2.9 .368 - - - 1.4 2.8 .486

Season 13

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2007-081975-76
Team San Antonio SpursChicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsCavaliers 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 %
Michael Finley 82 26.9 10.1 0.3 2.8 3.1 1.4 0.4 0.1 0.7 1.1 3.8 9.3 .414 1.6 4.4 .370 0.8 1.0 .800
Nate Thurmond 78 17.9 4.4 1.5 3.8 5.3 1.2 0.3 1.3 - 2.1 1.8 4.3 .421 - - - 0.8 1.6 .504
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 17 23.0 6.7 0.1 1.9 1.9 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.4 1.5 2.5 6.3 .402 1.1 3.1 .365 0.5 0.5 1.000
Nate Thurmond 13 28.8 6.7 2.9 6.1 9.0 2.2 0.5 2.2 - 4.0 2.8 6.1 .468 - - - 1.0 2.5 .406

Season 14

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2008-091976-77
Team San Antonio SpursCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf 1st RdCavaliers 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 %
Michael Finley 81 28.8 9.7 0.3 3.0 3.3 1.4 0.5 0.2 0.8 1.0 3.7 8.5 .437 1.6 3.9 .411 0.6 0.8 .823
Nate Thurmond 49 20.3 5.5 2.5 5.2 7.6 1.7 0.3 1.7 - 2.6 2.0 5.0 .407 - - - 1.4 2.2 .642
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 5 28.6 8.0 0.6 2.4 3.0 1.0 0.2 0.2 0.8 1.6 3.0 6.8 .441 1.4 3.0 .467 0.6 0.8 .750
Nate Thurmond 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - - - 0.0 0.0 -

Season 15

Michael Finley Nate Thurmond
Season 2009-10-
Team San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics 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 Finley 46 15.4 4.4 0.1 1.4 1.5 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.7 1.8 4.0 .440 0.7 1.8 .390 0.2 0.3 .533
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Finley 18 6.0 0.8 0.1 0.6 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.3 1.1 .250 0.2 0.6 .273 0.1 0.1 1.000
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------