Tim Duncan vs. John Lucas Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of John Lucas and Tim Duncan, 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.

Tim Duncan played 19 years in the NBA, 5 more than John Lucas, who played 14. Tim Duncan had the first of his seasons in 1997-98, while John Lucas had his rookie season in 1976-77. 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
Tim Duncan 19 18 1997-98 to 2015-16
John Lucas 14 6 1976-77 to 1989-90

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19

Rookie Season

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 1997-981976-77
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rookie of the Year-
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisRockets 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 %
Tim Duncan 82 39.1 21.1 3.3 8.6 11.9 2.7 0.7 2.5 3.4 3.1 8.6 15.7 .549 0.0 0.1 .000 3.9 5.9 .662
John Lucas 82 30.9 11.1 0.7 2.0 2.7 5.6 1.5 0.2 - 2.1 4.7 9.9 .477 - - - 1.6 2.1 .789
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 9 41.6 20.7 2.2 6.8 9.0 1.9 0.6 2.6 2.8 2.7 8.1 15.6 .521 0.0 0.1 .000 4.4 6.7 .667
John Lucas 12 35.8 14.7 0.3 2.4 2.8 6.9 2.0 0.3 - 2.8 6.3 11.6 .540 - - - 2.2 2.8 .765

Season 2

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 1998-991977-78
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
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 %
Tim Duncan 50 39.3 21.7 3.2 8.2 11.4 2.4 0.9 2.5 2.9 2.9 8.4 16.9 .495 0.0 0.1 .143 4.9 7.2 .690
John Lucas 82 35.8 12.4 0.6 2.5 3.1 9.4 2.0 0.1 2.6 2.5 5.0 11.5 .435 - - - 2.4 3.0 .772
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 17 43.1 23.2 3.2 8.2 11.5 2.8 0.8 2.6 3.1 2.9 8.5 16.6 .511 0.0 0.2 .000 6.3 8.4 .748
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 1999-001978-79
Team San Antonio SpursGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
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 %
Tim Duncan 74 38.9 23.2 3.5 8.9 12.4 3.2 0.9 2.2 3.3 2.8 8.5 17.3 .490 0.0 0.1 .091 6.2 8.1 .761
John Lucas 82 37.7 16.1 0.8 2.2 3.0 9.3 1.9 0.1 3.1 2.8 6.5 14.0 .462 - - - 3.2 3.9 .822
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan ------- --- ----------
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2000-011979-80
Team San Antonio SpursGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 82 38.7 22.2 3.2 9.0 12.2 3.0 0.9 2.3 3.0 3.0 8.6 17.1 .499 0.1 0.3 .259 5.0 8.1 .618
John Lucas 80 34.5 12.6 0.8 2.0 2.8 7.5 1.7 0.0 2.3 2.5 4.9 10.4 .467 0.2 0.5 .286 2.8 3.6 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 13 40.5 24.4 4.2 10.3 14.5 3.8 1.1 2.7 3.8 3.3 9.2 18.9 .488 0.1 0.1 1.000 5.8 9.2 .639
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 5

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2001-021980-81
Team San Antonio SpursGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First 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 %
Tim Duncan 82 40.6 25.5 3.3 9.4 12.7 3.7 0.7 2.5 3.2 2.6 9.3 18.3 .508 0.0 0.1 .100 6.8 8.5 .799
John Lucas 66 29.1 8.4 0.5 1.8 2.3 7.0 1.3 0.0 2.8 2.1 3.4 7.7 .439 0.1 0.4 .167 1.6 2.2 .738
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 9 42.2 27.6 3.1 11.3 14.4 5.0 0.7 4.3 4.1 2.4 9.1 20.1 .453 0.1 0.3 .333 9.2 11.2 .822
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2002-031981-82
Team San Antonio SpursWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionBullets 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 %
Tim Duncan 81 39.3 23.3 3.2 9.7 12.9 3.9 0.7 2.9 3.1 2.9 8.8 17.2 .513 0.1 0.3 .273 5.6 7.8 .710
John Lucas 79 24.6 8.4 0.5 1.6 2.1 7.0 1.2 0.1 2.0 1.3 3.3 7.8 .426 0.0 0.3 .091 1.7 2.2 .784
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 24 42.5 24.7 4.0 11.4 15.4 5.3 0.6 3.3 3.2 3.3 9.1 17.2 .529 0.0 0.3 .000 6.5 9.7 .677
John Lucas 7 10.6 4.4 0.0 1.1 1.1 2.9 0.4 0.1 0.6 0.9 2.0 3.7 .538 0.1 0.4 .333 0.3 0.4 .667

Season 7

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2003-041982-83
Team San Antonio SpursWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
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 %
Tim Duncan 69 36.6 22.3 3.3 9.2 12.4 3.1 0.9 2.7 2.7 2.4 8.6 17.1 .501 0.0 0.2 .167 5.1 8.5 .599
John Lucas 35 11.0 4.1 0.2 0.6 0.8 2.9 0.7 0.0 1.3 0.5 1.8 3.7 .473 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 1.2 .500
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 10 40.4 22.1 3.3 8.0 11.3 3.2 0.8 2.0 4.2 3.4 8.3 15.9 .522 0.0 0.1 .000 5.5 8.7 .632
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2004-051983-84
Team San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Tim Duncan 66 33.4 20.3 3.1 8.0 11.1 2.7 0.7 2.6 1.9 2.2 7.8 15.8 .496 0.0 0.1 .333 4.6 6.9 .670
John Lucas 63 28.7 10.9 0.4 2.5 2.9 10.7 1.5 0.1 2.3 2.0 4.4 9.4 .462 0.3 1.1 .275 1.9 2.5 .764
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 23 37.7 23.6 3.8 8.7 12.4 2.7 0.3 2.3 2.7 2.9 8.6 18.5 .464 0.0 0.2 .200 6.4 8.9 .717
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2005-061984-85
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
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 %
Tim Duncan 80 34.8 18.6 2.9 8.1 11.0 3.2 0.9 2.0 2.5 2.7 7.2 14.8 .484 0.0 0.1 .400 4.2 6.7 .629
John Lucas 47 24.6 11.4 0.4 1.4 1.8 6.8 1.3 0.0 2.2 1.7 4.4 9.5 .462 0.4 1.4 .318 2.2 2.7 .798
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 13 37.9 25.8 2.5 8.0 10.5 3.3 0.8 1.9 2.6 3.8 9.3 16.2 .573 0.0 0.2 .000 7.2 10.1 .718
John Lucas 5 30.4 13.6 1.4 2.8 4.2 5.4 1.2 0.0 1.4 2.8 5.2 16.0 .325 0.4 2.8 .143 2.8 4.4 .636

Season 10

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2006-071985-86
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Tim Duncan 80 34.1 20.0 2.7 7.9 10.6 3.4 0.8 2.4 2.8 2.5 7.7 14.1 .546 0.0 0.1 .111 4.5 7.1 .637
John Lucas 65 32.6 15.5 0.5 1.7 2.2 8.8 1.2 0.1 2.3 1.9 5.6 12.6 .446 0.7 2.2 .308 3.6 4.6 .775
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 20 36.8 22.2 3.7 7.8 11.5 3.3 0.7 3.1 3.0 3.0 8.7 16.7 .521 0.0 0.0 - 4.8 7.5 .644
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2007-081986-87
Team San Antonio SpursMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsBucks 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 %
Tim Duncan 78 34.0 19.3 3.0 8.3 11.3 2.8 0.7 1.9 2.3 2.4 7.5 15.1 .497 0.0 0.1 .000 4.3 5.9 .730
John Lucas 43 31.6 17.5 0.7 2.2 2.9 6.7 1.7 0.1 2.1 1.9 6.6 14.5 .457 1.1 2.9 .365 3.2 4.0 .787
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 17 39.2 20.2 3.6 10.9 14.5 3.3 0.9 2.1 2.4 2.4 7.9 17.7 .449 0.1 0.3 .200 4.2 6.8 .626
John Lucas 12 30.2 15.6 0.3 1.8 2.1 5.2 1.2 0.1 1.7 1.4 5.7 12.5 .453 1.0 3.0 .333 3.3 4.0 .813

Season 12

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2008-091987-88
Team San Antonio SpursMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf 1st RdBucks 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 %
Tim Duncan 75 33.7 19.3 2.7 8.0 10.7 3.5 0.5 1.7 2.2 2.3 7.4 14.8 .504 0.0 0.0 .000 4.5 6.4 .692
John Lucas 81 21.8 9.2 0.4 1.6 2.0 4.8 1.1 0.0 1.5 1.3 3.5 7.8 .445 0.6 1.9 .338 1.6 2.0 .802
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 5 32.8 19.8 2.4 5.6 8.0 3.2 0.6 1.2 1.4 2.2 8.2 15.4 .532 0.0 0.0 - 3.4 5.6 .607
John Lucas 5 16.0 5.8 1.0 0.6 1.6 3.8 1.0 0.0 1.2 1.0 2.0 5.4 .370 0.6 2.6 .231 1.2 1.8 .667

Season 13

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2009-101988-89
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisSupersonics 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 %
Tim Duncan 78 31.3 17.9 2.8 7.3 10.1 3.2 0.6 1.5 1.8 1.9 7.2 13.9 .518 0.0 0.1 .182 3.5 4.8 .725
John Lucas 74 11.4 4.2 0.3 0.8 1.1 3.5 0.8 0.0 0.9 0.7 1.6 4.0 .398 0.2 0.9 .265 0.7 1.0 .701
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 10 37.3 19.0 3.0 6.9 9.9 2.6 0.8 1.7 2.4 2.7 7.8 15.0 .520 0.1 0.2 .500 3.3 6.9 .478
John Lucas 4 9.3 2.8 0.0 0.3 0.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.3 1.3 4.3 .294 0.0 0.8 .000 0.3 0.5 .500

Season 14

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2010-111989-90
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs 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 %
Tim Duncan 76 28.4 13.4 2.2 6.7 8.9 2.7 0.7 1.9 1.6 1.6 5.5 11.0 .500 0.0 0.1 .000 2.4 3.4 .716
John Lucas 49 19.1 5.8 0.4 1.4 1.8 4.9 0.9 0.0 1.7 1.2 2.2 5.9 .375 0.5 1.8 .299 0.9 1.1 .764
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 6 35.3 12.7 2.7 7.8 10.5 2.7 0.5 2.5 3.0 2.8 5.5 11.5 .478 0.0 0.0 - 1.7 2.7 .625
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2011-12-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs 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 %
Tim Duncan 58 28.2 15.4 1.9 7.1 9.0 2.3 0.7 1.5 1.7 1.7 6.2 12.6 .492 0.0 0.1 .000 3.0 4.3 .695
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 14 33.1 17.4 2.3 7.1 9.4 2.8 0.7 2.1 1.5 2.1 7.2 14.6 .495 0.0 0.1 .000 2.9 4.1 .707
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2012-13-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost NBA Finals-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 69 30.1 17.8 1.8 8.1 9.9 2.7 0.7 2.7 2.1 1.7 7.1 14.1 .502 0.0 0.1 .286 3.6 4.3 .817
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 21 35.0 18.1 2.6 7.6 10.2 1.9 0.9 1.6 2.0 2.5 7.2 15.3 .470 0.0 0.0 .000 3.8 4.7 .806
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2013-14-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA Champion-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 74 29.2 15.1 2.1 7.6 9.7 3.0 0.6 1.9 2.1 1.8 6.0 12.2 .490 0.0 0.1 .000 3.1 4.3 .731
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 23 32.7 16.3 2.8 6.3 9.2 2.0 0.3 1.3 1.1 2.3 6.5 12.4 .523 0.0 0.1 .000 3.3 4.3 .760
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2014-15-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs 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 %
Tim Duncan 77 28.9 13.9 2.2 6.9 9.1 3.0 0.8 2.0 1.7 2.1 5.4 10.6 .512 0.0 0.1 .286 3.0 4.0 .740
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 7 35.7 17.9 2.7 8.4 11.1 3.3 1.3 1.4 1.0 3.7 7.6 12.9 .589 0.0 0.1 .000 2.7 4.9 .559
John Lucas ------- --- ----------

Season 19

Tim Duncan John Lucas
Season 2015-16-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs 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 %
Tim Duncan 61 25.2 8.6 1.9 5.4 7.3 2.7 0.8 1.3 1.5 2.0 3.5 7.2 .488 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.1 .702
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan 10 21.8 5.9 1.0 3.8 4.8 1.4 0.2 1.3 1.0 1.8 2.2 5.2 .423 0.0 0.0 - 1.5 2.1 .714
John Lucas ------- --- ----------