Paul Pierce vs. Oscar Robertson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Oscar Robertson and Paul Pierce, 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 / Stats / Stats Rankings

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.

Paul Pierce played 19 years in the NBA, 5 more than Oscar Robertson, who played 14. Paul Pierce had the first of his seasons in 1998-99, while Oscar Robertson had his rookie season in 1960-61. 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
Paul Pierce 19 14 1998-99 to 2016-17
Oscar Robertson 14 10 1960-61 to 1973-74

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

Rookie Season

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 1998-991960-61
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Rookie of the Year
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game MVP
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%
Paul Pierce 48 34.0 16.5 2.4 4.0 6.4 2.4 1.7 1.0 2.4 2.9 5.9 13.5 .439 1.8 4.3 .412 2.9 4.1 .713
difference:+23+8.7+14.0+3.7+7.3-0.2+4.7+9.0+.034+6.3+7.1+.109
Oscar Robertson 71 42.7 30.5 - - 10.1 9.7 - - - 3.1 10.6 22.5 .473 - - - 9.2 11.2 .822
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Paul Pierce nor Oscar Robertson played in the postseason in their season 1

Season 2

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 1999-001961-62
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayRoyals Lost West Div Semis
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 73 35.4 19.5 1.1 4.3 5.4 3.0 2.1 0.8 2.4 3.2 6.7 15.1 .442 1.3 3.8 .343 4.9 6.2 .798
difference:+6+8.9+11.3+7.1+8.4-0.1+4.3+7.8+.036+4.0+4.8+.005
Oscar Robertson 79 44.3 30.8 - - 12.5 11.4 - - - 3.3 11.0 22.9 .478 - - - 8.9 11.0 .803
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce DNP------ --- ----------
Oscar Robertson 4 46.3 28.8 - - 11.0 11.0 - - - 4.5 10.5 20.3 .519 - - - 7.8 9.8 .795

Season 3

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2000-011962-63
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayRoyals Lost East Div Finals
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 82 38.0 25.3 1.1 5.2 6.4 3.1 1.7 0.8 3.2 3.1 8.4 18.5 .454 1.8 4.7 .383 6.7 9.0 .745
difference:+2+6.0+3.0+4.0+6.4-0.6+1.9+1.4+.064+1.0+0.5+.065
Oscar Robertson 80 44.0 28.3 - - 10.4 9.5 - - - 3.7 10.3 19.9 .518 - - - 7.7 9.5 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce DNP------ --- ----------
Oscar Robertson 12 47.5 31.8 - - 13.0 9.0 - - - 3.4 10.3 22.0 .470 - - - 11.1 12.8 .864

Season 4

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2001-021963-64
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game MVP
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsRoyals Lost East Div Finals
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 82 40.3 26.1 1.0 5.9 6.9 3.2 1.9 1.0 2.9 2.9 8.6 19.5 .442 2.6 6.3 .404 6.3 7.8 .809
difference:+3+4.8+5.3+3.0+7.8-0.6+2.0+2.5+.041+3.8+4.1+.044
Oscar Robertson 79 45.1 31.4 - - 9.9 11.0 - - - 3.5 10.6 22.0 .483 - - - 10.1 11.9 .853
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 16 42.0 24.6 1.7 6.9 8.6 4.1 1.7 1.3 3.8 3.3 7.6 18.9 .403 1.9 6.5 .288 7.5 9.8 .764
difference:+6+5.1+4.7+0.3+4.3-0.3+1.6+1.3+.052+3.4+2.9+.094
Oscar Robertson 10 47.1 29.3 - - 8.9 8.4 - - - 3.0 9.2 20.2 .455 - - - 10.9 12.7 .858

Season 5

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2002-031964-65
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf SemisRoyals Lost East Div Semis
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 79 39.2 25.9 1.3 6.0 7.3 4.4 1.8 0.8 3.6 2.9 8.4 20.2 .416 1.5 4.9 .302 7.6 9.5 .802
difference:+4+6.4+4.5+1.7+7.1-0.2+2.4+2.2+.064+1.3+1.1+.037
Oscar Robertson 75 45.6 30.4 - - 9.0 11.5 - - - 2.7 10.8 22.4 .480 - - - 8.9 10.6 .839
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 10 44.5 27.1 1.1 7.9 9.0 6.7 2.1 0.8 4.4 3.8 7.7 19.3 .399 1.6 4.5 .356 10.1 11.7 .863
difference:+6+4.3+0.9+4.2+5.3-0.3+1.8+3.0+.028+1.1+1.9+.060
Oscar Robertson 4 48.8 28.0 - - 4.8 12.0 - - - 3.5 9.5 22.3 .427 - - - 9.0 9.8 .923

Season 6

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2003-041965-66
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf 1st RdRoyals Lost East Div Semis
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 80 38.7 23.0 0.9 5.7 6.5 5.1 1.6 0.7 3.8 2.9 7.5 18.7 .402 1.4 4.8 .299 6.5 7.9 .819
difference:+4+7.3+8.3+1.2+6.0-0.1+3.3+4.0+.073+3.3+3.7+.023
Oscar Robertson 76 46.0 31.3 - - 7.7 11.1 - - - 3.0 10.8 22.7 .475 - - - 9.8 11.6 .842
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 4 40.8 20.8 1.5 7.3 8.8 2.5 1.3 1.0 6.3 3.0 6.5 19.0 .342 1.3 4.3 .294 6.5 7.8 .839
difference:+1+4.0+11.0+1.2+5.3-1.0+3.3+5.0+.066+5.7+5.8+.058
Oscar Robertson 5 44.8 31.8 - - 7.6 7.8 - - - 4.0 9.8 24.0 .408 - - - 12.2 13.6 .897

Season 7

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2004-051966-67
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf 1st RdRoyals Lost East Div Semis
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 82 36.1 21.6 1.0 5.6 6.6 4.2 1.6 0.5 2.8 3.1 6.8 14.9 .455 1.3 3.6 .370 6.7 8.1 .822
difference:+3+7.8+8.9+0.4+6.5-0.2+3.8+6.6+.038+2.6+2.6+.051
Oscar Robertson 79 43.9 30.5 - - 6.2 10.7 - - - 2.9 10.6 21.5 .493 - - - 9.3 10.7 .873
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 7 39.7 22.9 1.0 6.7 7.7 4.6 1.9 1.4 2.7 2.6 6.7 13.3 .505 1.0 3.9 .259 8.4 9.7 .868
difference:+3+6.1+1.9+3.7+6.7-0.3+1.6+2.7+.011+0.1+0.4+.024
Oscar Robertson 4 45.8 24.8 - - 4.0 11.3 - - - 2.3 8.3 16.0 .516 - - - 8.3 9.3 .892

Season 8

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2005-061967-68
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 79 39.0 26.8 1.0 5.7 6.7 4.7 1.4 0.4 3.5 2.8 8.7 18.5 .471 1.4 4.0 .354 7.9 10.3 .772
difference:+14+3.5+2.4+0.7+5.0-0.3+1.5+1.8+.029+1.0+0.1+.101
Oscar Robertson 65 42.5 29.2 - - 6.0 9.7 - - - 3.1 10.2 20.3 .500 - - - 8.9 10.2 .873
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Paul Pierce nor Oscar Robertson played in the postseason in their season 8

Season 9

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2006-071968-69
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game MVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 47 37.0 25.0 0.8 5.1 5.9 4.1 1.0 0.3 3.2 2.6 7.9 18.1 .439 2.3 5.9 .389 6.8 8.6 .796
difference:+32+6.8+0.3+0.5+5.7-0.3+0.4+1.0+.047+1.3+1.1+.042
Oscar Robertson 79 43.8 24.7 - - 6.4 9.8 - - - 2.9 8.3 17.1 .486 - - - 8.1 9.7 .838
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Paul Pierce nor Oscar Robertson played in the postseason in their season 9

Season 10

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2007-081969-70
Team Boston CelticsCincinnati Royals
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 80 35.9 19.6 0.7 4.5 5.1 4.5 1.3 0.5 2.8 2.5 6.4 13.7 .464 1.8 4.6 .392 5.1 6.1 .843
difference:+11+5.6+5.7+1.0+3.6+3.0+4.7+.047+1.5+2.0+.034
Oscar Robertson 69 41.5 25.3 - - 6.1 8.1 - - - 2.5 9.4 18.4 .511 - - - 6.6 8.1 .809
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 26 38.1 19.7 0.8 4.2 5.0 4.6 1.1 0.3 3.2 3.5 6.3 14.2 .441 1.7 4.6 .361 5.5 6.8 .802
Oscar Robertson DNP------ --- ----------

Season 11

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2008-091970-71
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second TeamAchievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 81 37.5 20.5 0.7 5.0 5.6 3.6 1.0 0.3 2.8 2.7 6.7 14.6 .457 1.5 3.8 .391 5.7 6.8 .830
difference:+1.9+1.1+0.1+4.6-0.2+0.6+0.1+.039+0.9+1.2+.020
Oscar Robertson 81 39.4 19.4 - - 5.7 8.2 - - - 2.5 7.3 14.7 .496 - - - 4.8 5.6 .850
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 14 39.7 21.0 0.3 5.5 5.8 3.1 1.1 0.4 2.4 3.1 6.8 15.8 .430 1.4 4.1 .333 6.1 7.2 .842
difference:+2.6+2.7+0.8+5.8-0.3+0.5+0.8+.056+2.4+2.3+.088
Oscar Robertson 14 37.1 18.3 - - 5.0 8.9 - - - 2.8 7.3 15.0 .486 - - - 3.7 4.9 .754

Season 12

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2009-101971-72
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost NBA FinalsBucks Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 71 34.0 18.3 0.5 3.8 4.4 3.1 1.2 0.4 2.3 2.8 5.8 12.2 .472 1.5 3.7 .414 5.2 6.1 .852
difference:+7+3.3+0.9+0.6+4.6-1.0+0.7+1.7+0.9+0.9+.016
Oscar Robertson 64 37.3 17.4 - - 5.0 7.7 - - - 1.8 6.5 13.9 .472 - - - 4.3 5.2 .836
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 24 38.8 18.8 0.8 5.1 6.0 3.4 1.0 0.6 2.7 3.3 6.1 14.0 .438 1.7 4.3 .392 4.9 5.9 .824
difference:+13+4.3+5.7+0.2+4.1-0.7+0.9+1.3+.031+2.2+2.6+.009
Oscar Robertson 11 34.5 13.1 - - 5.8 7.5 - - - 2.6 5.2 12.7 .407 - - - 2.7 3.3 .833

Season 13

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2010-111972-73
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf SemisBucks 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%
Paul Pierce 80 34.7 18.9 0.4 5.0 5.4 3.3 1.0 0.6 2.1 2.9 6.3 12.8 .497 1.4 3.7 .374 4.8 5.6 .860
difference:+7+2.8+3.4+0.5+4.2-0.6+0.2+0.7+.043+1.5+1.8+.013
Oscar Robertson 73 37.5 15.5 - - 4.9 7.5 - - - 2.3 6.1 13.5 .454 - - - 3.3 3.8 .847
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 9 38.1 20.8 0.6 4.4 5.0 2.8 1.3 0.4 2.7 3.3 7.6 16.4 .459 2.3 5.2 .447 3.3 3.8 .882
difference:+3+4.6+0.4+0.3+4.7-0.2+0.4+0.4+.041+1.9+1.9+.030
Oscar Robertson 6 42.7 21.2 - - 4.7 7.5 - - - 3.5 8.0 16.0 .500 - - - 5.2 5.7 .912

Season 14

Paul Pierce Oscar Robertson
Season 2011-121973-74
Team Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsBucks Lost NBA Finals
more >>
14th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 61 34.0 19.4 0.6 4.6 5.2 4.5 1.1 0.4 2.8 2.4 6.5 14.6 .443 1.6 4.5 .366 4.8 5.6 .852
difference:+9+1.4+6.7+0.4+1.6+1.2+1.9+0.3-0.5+1.7+3.6+.005+1.8+2.0+.017
Oscar Robertson 70 35.4 12.7 1.0 3.0 4.0 6.4 1.1 0.1 - 1.9 4.8 11.0 .438 - - - 3.0 3.6 .835
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Paul Pierce 20 38.9 18.9 0.7 5.4 6.1 3.1 1.5 0.9 2.8 3.4 6.0 15.6 .386 1.4 4.4 .310 5.5 6.2 .894
difference:+4+4.2+4.9+0.2+3.0+2.7+6.2+0.6+0.6-0.5+0.4+3.1+.064+2.7+2.9+.048
Oscar Robertson 16 43.1 14.0 0.9 2.4 3.4 9.3 0.9 0.3 - 2.9 5.6 12.5 .450 - - - 2.8 3.3 .846

Additional Years

* Paul Pierce played 5 seasons more than Oscar Robertson in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 15 to 19, from 2013 to 2017—Paul Pierce played in 5 Playoffs.