Rasho Nesterovic vs. Hakeem Olajuwon Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Hakeem Olajuwon and Rasho Nesterovic, 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 / Games against each other

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.

Rasho Nesterovic played 12 years in the NBA, 6 less than Hakeem Olajuwon, who played 18. Rasho Nesterovic had the first of his seasons in 1998-99, while Hakeem Olajuwon had his rookie season in 1984-85. 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
Rasho Nesterovic 12 10 1998-99 to 2009-10
Hakeem Olajuwon 18 15 1984-85 to 2001-02

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18

Rookie Season

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1998-991984-85
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 2 15.0 4.0 1.5 2.5 4.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.5 1.5 6.0 .250 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 1.0 1.000
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 35.5 20.6 5.4 6.5 11.9 1.4 1.2 2.7 2.9 4.2 8.3 15.3 .538 0.0 0.0 - 4.1 6.7 .613
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 3 9.7 2.7 1.3 1.0 2.3 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.3 1.3 2.7 .500 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 37.4 21.2 6.6 6.4 13.0 1.4 1.4 2.6 2.2 4.4 8.4 17.6 .477 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 9.2 .478

Season 2

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 1999-001985-86
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 82 21.0 5.7 1.6 3.0 4.6 1.1 0.3 1.0 0.9 3.2 2.5 5.3 .476 0.0 0.0 .000 0.7 1.3 .573
Hakeem Olajuwon 68 36.3 23.5 4.9 6.6 11.5 2.0 2.0 3.4 2.9 4.0 9.2 17.5 .526 0.0 0.0 - 5.1 7.9 .645
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 4 31.3 6.3 1.3 2.0 3.3 1.5 0.8 1.8 1.0 5.0 2.8 6.3 .440 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.5 .500
Hakeem Olajuwon 20 38.3 26.9 5.1 6.8 11.8 2.0 2.0 3.5 2.2 4.4 10.3 19.4 .530 0.0 0.1 .000 6.4 10.0 .638

Season 3

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2000-011986-87
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 73 16.9 4.5 1.4 2.6 3.9 0.6 0.3 0.9 0.8 2.6 2.0 4.4 .461 0.0 0.0 .000 0.5 0.9 .523
Hakeem Olajuwon 75 36.8 23.4 4.2 7.2 11.4 2.9 1.9 3.4 3.0 3.9 9.0 17.8 .508 0.0 0.1 .200 5.3 7.6 .702
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 4 12.3 2.5 1.3 1.8 3.0 0.8 0.3 0.8 0.8 2.3 1.3 3.3 .385 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Hakeem Olajuwon 10 38.9 29.2 3.9 7.4 11.3 2.5 1.3 4.3 3.6 4.4 11.0 17.9 .615 0.0 0.1 .000 7.2 9.7 .742

Season 4

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2001-021987-88
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 82 27.0 8.4 2.4 4.1 6.5 0.9 0.5 1.3 1.1 3.2 4.0 8.0 .493 0.0 0.0 .000 0.5 0.9 .549
Hakeem Olajuwon 79 35.8 22.8 3.8 8.3 12.1 2.1 2.1 2.7 3.1 4.1 9.0 17.5 .514 0.0 0.1 .000 4.8 6.9 .695
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 3 31.0 11.3 2.0 4.7 6.7 1.0 0.3 0.0 1.3 3.3 5.0 10.3 .484 0.0 0.0 - 1.3 3.0 .444
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 37.5 5.0 11.8 16.8 1.8 2.3 2.8 2.3 3.5 14.0 24.5 .571 0.0 0.3 .000 9.5 10.8 .884

Season 5

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2002-031988-89
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 77 30.4 11.2 1.9 4.6 6.5 1.5 0.5 1.5 1.3 3.3 5.2 9.9 .525 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.2 .642
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 36.9 24.8 4.1 9.4 13.5 1.8 2.6 3.4 3.4 4.0 9.6 19.0 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 5.5 8.0 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 6 28.3 7.0 1.5 3.5 5.0 0.7 0.2 0.7 0.8 4.7 3.2 6.3 .500 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 1.0 .667
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 25.3 3.5 9.5 13.0 3.0 2.5 2.8 2.5 4.3 10.5 20.3 .519 0.0 0.0 - 4.3 6.3 .680

Season 6

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2003-041989-90
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement Blocks Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 82 28.7 8.7 3.1 4.6 7.7 1.4 0.6 2.0 1.3 3.0 4.0 8.5 .469 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 1.4 .474
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 38.1 24.3 3.6 10.4 14.0 2.9 2.1 4.6 3.9 3.8 9.8 19.6 .501 0.0 0.1 .167 4.7 6.5 .713
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 10 26.3 5.9 2.1 3.4 5.5 1.0 0.3 1.1 0.8 3.8 2.9 6.7 .433 0.0 0.1 .000 0.1 0.6 .167
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.3 18.5 3.8 7.8 11.5 2.0 2.5 5.8 2.8 4.8 7.8 17.5 .443 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 4.3 .706

Season 7

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2004-051990-91
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Blocks Leader
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 70 25.5 5.9 2.6 3.9 6.6 1.0 0.4 1.7 1.0 3.0 2.8 6.1 .460 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.4 .467
Hakeem Olajuwon 56 36.8 21.2 3.9 9.8 13.8 2.3 2.2 3.9 3.1 3.9 8.7 17.1 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 3.8 4.9 .769
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 15 7.6 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.7 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.1 0.3 0.8 .417 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 .000
Hakeem Olajuwon 3 43.0 22.0 4.0 10.7 14.7 2.0 1.3 2.7 2.7 3.7 8.7 15.0 .578 0.0 0.3 .000 4.7 5.7 .824

Season 8

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2005-061991-92
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 80 18.9 4.5 1.4 2.4 3.9 0.4 0.3 1.1 0.7 2.6 2.2 4.2 .515 0.0 0.0 .000 0.2 0.4 .600
Hakeem Olajuwon 70 37.7 21.6 3.5 8.6 12.1 2.2 1.8 4.3 2.7 3.8 8.4 16.8 .502 0.0 0.0 .000 4.7 6.1 .766
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 9 12.7 2.8 0.8 2.6 3.3 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.2 1.9 1.2 2.1 .579 0.1 0.1 1.000 0.2 0.2 1.000
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2006-071992-93
Team Toronto RaptorsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Defensive Player of the Year
-Achievement Blocks Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Raptors Lost East Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 80 21.0 6.2 1.4 3.1 4.5 0.9 0.5 1.1 0.7 2.4 2.9 5.3 .546 0.0 0.0 .000 0.4 0.6 .680
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 39.5 26.1 3.5 9.6 13.0 3.5 1.8 4.2 3.2 3.7 10.3 19.5 .529 0.0 0.1 .000 5.4 7.0 .779
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 5 14.2 3.4 2.0 2.6 4.6 0.6 0.0 0.4 0.8 0.8 1.4 3.0 .467 0.0 0.0 - 0.6 0.6 1.000
Hakeem Olajuwon 12 43.2 25.7 4.3 9.7 14.0 4.8 1.8 4.9 3.8 3.1 10.3 19.8 .517 0.0 0.1 .000 5.2 6.3 .827

Season 10

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2007-081993-94
Team Toronto RaptorsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Defensive Player of the Year
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Raptors Lost East Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 71 20.9 7.8 1.8 3.0 4.8 1.2 0.3 0.7 0.8 1.9 3.6 6.6 .550 0.0 0.0 .333 0.5 0.7 .755
Hakeem Olajuwon 80 41.0 27.3 2.9 9.1 11.9 3.6 1.6 3.7 3.4 3.6 11.2 21.2 .528 0.1 0.2 .421 4.9 6.8 .716
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic 5 15.4 4.6 0.6 2.0 2.6 0.6 0.2 0.4 1.0 2.8 2.2 4.4 .500 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.4 .500
Hakeem Olajuwon 23 43.0 28.9 2.4 8.7 11.0 4.3 1.7 4.0 3.6 3.6 11.6 22.3 .519 0.1 0.2 .500 5.6 7.0 .795

Season 11

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2008-091994-95
Team Indiana PacersHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 70 17.3 6.8 1.3 2.1 3.4 1.6 0.4 0.5 0.9 2.4 3.2 6.2 .513 0.0 0.0 .000 0.4 0.5 .781
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 39.6 27.8 2.4 8.4 10.8 3.5 1.8 3.4 3.3 3.5 11.1 21.5 .517 0.0 0.2 .188 5.6 7.5 .756
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 22 42.2 33.0 2.0 8.3 10.3 4.5 1.2 2.8 3.1 4.3 13.9 26.2 .531 0.1 0.2 .500 5.0 7.4 .681

Season 12

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2009-101995-96
Team Toronto RaptorsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic 42 9.8 3.9 0.9 1.2 2.1 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.4 1.3 1.9 3.5 .544 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.1 .200
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 38.8 26.9 2.4 8.4 10.9 3.6 1.6 2.9 3.4 3.4 10.7 20.8 .514 0.0 0.2 .214 5.5 7.6 .724
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 8 41.1 22.4 2.1 7.0 9.1 3.9 1.9 2.1 3.6 3.5 9.4 18.4 .510 0.0 0.1 .000 3.6 5.0 .725

Season 13

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -1996-97
Team -Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Rockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 78 36.6 23.2 2.2 7.0 9.2 3.0 1.5 2.2 3.6 3.2 9.3 18.3 .510 0.1 0.2 .313 4.5 5.7 .787
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 16 39.4 23.1 2.9 8.0 10.9 3.4 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.8 9.2 15.6 .590 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.5 .731

Season 14

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -1997-98
Team -Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Rockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 47 34.7 16.4 2.5 7.3 9.8 3.0 1.8 2.0 2.7 3.2 6.5 13.5 .483 0.0 0.1 .000 3.4 4.5 .755
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 38.0 20.4 1.8 9.0 10.8 2.4 1.0 3.2 2.6 3.6 7.8 19.8 .394 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.6 .727

Season 15

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -1998-99
Team -Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Playoffs -Rockets 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 50 35.7 18.9 2.1 7.4 9.6 1.8 1.6 2.5 2.8 3.2 7.5 14.5 .514 0.1 0.3 .308 3.9 5.4 .717
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 31.0 13.3 1.3 6.0 7.3 0.5 1.3 0.8 1.3 4.5 5.8 13.5 .426 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.0 .875

Season 16

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -1999-00
Team -Houston Rockets
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 %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 44 23.8 10.3 1.5 4.8 6.2 1.4 0.9 1.6 1.7 2.0 4.4 9.6 .458 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 2.5 .616
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -2000-01
Team -Houston Rockets
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 %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 58 26.6 11.9 2.1 5.3 7.4 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.4 2.4 4.9 9.8 .498 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.4 .621
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Rasho Nesterovic Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -2001-02
Team -Toronto Raptors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Raptors 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 %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 61 22.6 7.1 1.6 4.4 6.0 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.6 2.4 3.2 6.9 .464 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.4 .560
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Rasho Nesterovic ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 17.2 5.6 1.8 2.0 3.8 0.4 1.4 0.8 1.2 1.8 2.4 4.4 .545 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.2 .667