Sam Mitchell vs. Steve Nash Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Steve Nash and Sam Mitchell, 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.

Sam Mitchell played 13 years in the NBA, 5 less than Steve Nash, who played 18. Sam Mitchell had the first of his seasons in 1989-90, while Steve Nash had his rookie season in 1996-97. 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
Sam Mitchell 13 9 1989-90 to 2001-02
Steve Nash 18 12 1996-97 to 2013-14

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

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1989-901996-97
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns 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 %
Sam Mitchell 80 30.2 12.7 2.3 3.5 5.8 1.1 0.8 0.7 1.2 3.8 4.7 10.4 .446 0.0 0.1 .000 3.4 4.4 .768
Steve Nash 65 10.5 3.3 0.2 0.7 1.0 2.1 0.3 0.0 1.0 1.4 1.1 2.7 .423 0.4 0.8 .418 0.6 0.8 .824
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 4 3.8 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 1.3 0.5 2.3 .222 0.3 1.0 .250 0.0 0.0 -

Season 2

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1990-911997-98
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns 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 %
Sam Mitchell 82 38.1 14.6 2.3 4.0 6.3 1.6 0.8 0.7 1.3 4.1 5.4 12.3 .441 0.0 0.1 .000 3.7 4.8 .775
Steve Nash 76 21.9 9.1 0.4 1.7 2.1 3.4 0.8 0.1 1.3 1.9 3.5 7.7 .459 1.1 2.6 .415 1.0 1.1 .860
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 4 12.8 5.5 0.5 2.0 2.5 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.8 1.8 2.0 4.5 .444 0.3 1.3 .200 1.3 2.0 .625

Season 3

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1991-921998-99
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDallas Mavericks
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 %
Sam Mitchell 82 26.2 10.1 1.9 3.8 5.8 1.1 0.6 0.5 1.2 2.8 3.7 8.8 .423 0.0 0.1 .182 2.5 3.2 .786
Steve Nash 40 31.7 7.9 0.8 2.1 2.9 5.5 0.9 0.1 2.1 2.5 2.9 7.9 .363 1.2 3.3 .374 1.0 1.2 .826
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1992-931999-00
Team Indiana PacersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Pacers Lost East 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 %
Sam Mitchell 81 17.3 7.2 1.1 1.9 3.1 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.6 2.6 2.7 6.0 .445 0.0 0.3 .174 1.9 2.3 .811
Steve Nash 56 27.4 8.6 0.6 1.6 2.2 4.9 0.7 0.1 1.8 2.2 3.1 6.5 .477 1.1 2.7 .403 1.3 1.5 .882
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 4 6.3 3.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.3 2.0 .625 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 0.5 1.000
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 5

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1993-942000-01
Team Indiana PacersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Pacers Lost East Conf FinalsMavericks 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 %
Sam Mitchell 75 14.5 4.8 0.9 1.6 2.5 0.9 0.4 0.1 0.7 2.0 1.9 4.1 .458 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 1.5 .745
Steve Nash 70 34.1 15.6 0.7 2.5 3.2 7.3 1.0 0.1 2.9 2.3 5.5 11.3 .487 1.3 3.1 .406 3.3 3.7 .895
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 15 6.6 1.4 0.3 0.8 1.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.5 0.6 1.7 .346 0.0 0.1 .000 0.2 0.3 .750
Steve Nash 10 37.0 13.6 0.6 2.6 3.2 6.4 0.6 0.1 2.5 1.9 4.5 10.8 .417 1.6 3.9 .410 3.0 3.4 .882

Season 6

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1994-952001-02
Team Indiana PacersDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pacers Lost East Conf FinalsMavericks 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 %
Sam Mitchell 81 17.0 6.5 1.2 1.8 3.0 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.7 2.5 2.5 5.1 .487 0.0 0.1 .100 1.6 2.1 .724
Steve Nash 82 34.6 17.9 0.6 2.5 3.1 7.7 0.6 0.0 2.8 2.0 6.4 13.3 .483 1.9 4.2 .455 3.2 3.6 .887
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 17 13.1 4.0 1.0 1.8 2.8 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.8 2.4 1.4 3.8 .359 0.0 0.1 .000 1.3 1.6 .786
Steve Nash 8 40.5 19.5 0.9 3.1 4.0 8.8 0.5 0.0 3.8 2.5 6.4 14.8 .432 2.5 5.6 .444 4.3 4.4 .971

Season 7

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1995-962002-03
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayMavericks 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 %
Sam Mitchell 78 27.5 10.8 1.4 3.0 4.3 0.9 0.6 0.3 1.1 2.8 3.9 7.9 .490 0.0 0.2 .056 3.0 3.7 .814
Steve Nash 82 33.1 17.7 0.8 2.1 2.9 7.3 1.0 0.1 2.3 1.6 6.3 13.6 .465 1.4 3.3 .413 3.8 4.1 .909
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 20 36.4 16.1 0.8 2.8 3.5 7.3 0.9 0.1 2.6 2.4 5.8 12.9 .447 1.9 3.8 .487 2.8 3.2 .873

Season 8

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1996-972003-04
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdMavericks 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 %
Sam Mitchell 82 24.9 9.3 1.4 2.6 4.0 1.0 0.6 0.2 1.1 2.8 3.3 7.4 .446 0.0 0.3 .160 2.7 3.6 .759
Steve Nash 78 33.5 14.5 0.8 2.2 3.0 8.8 0.9 0.1 2.7 1.8 5.1 10.8 .470 1.3 3.3 .405 2.9 3.2 .916
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 3 15.7 5.7 0.7 1.7 2.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 3.0 2.0 4.3 .462 0.0 0.0 - 1.7 2.7 .625
Steve Nash 5 39.2 13.6 1.2 4.0 5.2 9.0 0.8 0.0 2.4 2.8 5.4 14.0 .386 1.2 3.2 .375 1.6 1.8 .889

Season 9

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1997-982004-05
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Sam Mitchell 81 27.6 12.3 1.5 3.3 4.8 1.3 0.8 0.3 0.8 2.5 4.6 9.9 .464 0.2 0.5 .349 3.0 3.6 .832
Steve Nash 75 34.3 15.5 0.8 2.6 3.3 11.5 1.0 0.1 3.3 1.8 5.7 11.4 .502 1.3 2.9 .431 2.8 3.2 .887
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 5 35.8 14.4 1.4 4.0 5.4 1.6 0.2 0.2 1.0 3.6 5.2 11.6 .448 0.6 2.8 .214 3.4 3.8 .895
Steve Nash 15 40.7 23.9 0.6 4.2 4.8 11.3 0.9 0.2 4.7 2.4 9.3 17.9 .520 1.4 3.6 .389 3.8 4.1 .919

Season 10

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1998-992005-06
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Sam Mitchell 50 26.9 11.2 1.1 2.5 3.6 2.0 0.7 0.3 0.7 2.2 4.3 10.4 .408 0.2 0.8 .237 2.5 3.3 .764
Steve Nash 79 35.4 18.8 0.6 3.6 4.2 10.5 0.8 0.2 3.5 1.5 6.8 13.4 .512 1.9 4.3 .439 3.3 3.5 .921
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 4 32.8 10.0 1.3 2.3 3.5 1.5 0.3 0.5 2.0 3.3 3.8 10.0 .375 0.3 1.5 .167 2.3 3.0 .750
Steve Nash 20 39.9 20.4 0.5 3.2 3.7 10.2 0.4 0.3 3.4 1.9 7.3 14.6 .502 1.6 4.4 .368 4.2 4.6 .912

Season 11

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 1999-002006-07
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Sam Mitchell 66 18.6 6.5 0.4 1.7 2.1 1.7 0.4 0.2 0.7 1.8 2.5 5.7 .447 0.2 0.3 .435 1.2 1.4 .880
Steve Nash 76 35.3 18.6 0.4 3.1 3.5 11.6 0.8 0.1 3.8 1.5 6.8 12.8 .532 2.1 4.5 .455 2.9 3.3 .899
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 4 17.0 5.8 0.5 1.3 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.3 1.0 1.3 2.3 4.5 .500 0.5 1.3 .400 0.8 0.8 1.000
Steve Nash 11 37.5 18.9 0.4 2.8 3.2 13.3 0.4 0.1 4.4 1.9 6.7 14.5 .463 1.7 3.5 .487 3.7 4.2 .891

Season 12

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 2000-012007-08
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Sam Mitchell 82 12.0 3.5 0.3 1.2 1.5 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.4 1.4 1.4 3.5 .408 0.1 0.5 .209 0.5 0.7 .727
Steve Nash 81 34.3 16.9 0.3 3.1 3.5 11.1 0.7 0.1 3.6 1.4 6.0 11.9 .504 2.2 4.7 .470 2.7 3.0 .906
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 4 12.5 1.5 0.3 1.5 1.8 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.3 1.3 0.5 2.5 .200 0.0 0.3 .000 0.5 0.5 1.000
Steve Nash 5 36.6 16.2 0.2 2.6 2.8 7.8 0.4 0.2 2.4 2.0 6.4 14.0 .457 1.2 4.0 .300 2.2 2.4 .917

Season 13

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season 2001-022008-09
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Timberwolves 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 %
Sam Mitchell 74 9.8 3.3 0.2 0.9 1.1 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.4 1.1 1.3 3.1 .432 0.1 0.5 .286 0.5 0.7 .776
Steve Nash 74 33.6 15.7 0.3 2.8 3.0 9.7 0.7 0.1 3.4 1.5 5.8 11.5 .503 1.5 3.3 .439 2.6 2.8 .933
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell 3 11.3 2.7 0.0 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 1.7 1.0 3.0 .333 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 0.7 1.000
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season -2009-10
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Suns 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 %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 81 32.8 16.5 0.4 2.9 3.3 11.0 0.5 0.1 3.6 1.3 6.2 12.2 .507 1.5 3.6 .426 2.6 2.8 .938
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 16 33.7 17.8 0.4 2.9 3.3 10.1 0.3 0.1 3.8 1.3 6.2 11.9 .518 1.2 3.1 .380 4.2 4.7 .893

Season 15

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season -2010-11
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Assists Leader
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 %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 75 33.3 14.7 0.5 2.9 3.5 11.4 0.6 0.1 3.5 1.2 5.3 10.8 .492 1.1 2.7 .395 3.0 3.3 .912
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season -2011-12
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 62 31.6 12.5 0.4 2.6 3.0 10.7 0.6 0.1 3.7 0.9 4.8 9.0 .532 0.9 2.3 .390 2.0 2.3 .894
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season -2012-13
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Lakers 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 %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 50 32.5 12.7 0.5 2.3 2.8 6.7 0.6 0.1 2.5 1.4 4.7 9.5 .497 1.1 2.6 .438 2.1 2.3 .922
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 2 30.5 12.5 1.0 1.5 2.5 4.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 1.0 5.0 11.5 .435 0.0 1.5 .000 2.5 2.5 1.000

Season 18

Sam Mitchell Steve Nash
Season -2013-14
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
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 %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 15 20.9 6.8 0.3 1.7 1.9 5.7 0.5 0.1 2.1 1.2 2.4 6.3 .383 0.5 1.6 .333 1.5 1.6 .917
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Sam Mitchell ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------