Tim Duncan vs. John Salley Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of John Salley 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 / 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.

Tim Duncan played 19 years in the NBA, 8 more than John Salley, who played 11. Tim Duncan had the first of his seasons in 1997-98, while John Salley had his rookie season in 1986-87. 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 Salley 11 9 1986-87 to 1999-00

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 Salley
Season 1997-981986-87
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rookie of the Year-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisPistons 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 Salley 82 17.8 5.3 1.3 2.3 3.6 0.7 0.5 1.5 0.9 3.1 2.0 3.5 .562 0.0 0.0 .000 1.3 2.1 .614
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 Salley 15 20.7 6.2 2.0 2.8 4.8 0.7 0.2 1.1 0.9 4.0 2.2 4.4 .500 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.8 .643

Season 2

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 1998-991987-88
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPistons 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 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 Salley 82 24.4 8.5 2.0 2.9 4.9 1.4 0.6 1.7 1.5 3.6 3.1 5.6 .566 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.2 .709
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 Salley 23 27.1 7.0 2.8 4.0 6.7 0.9 0.7 1.6 1.0 3.8 2.4 4.5 .538 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.0 .710

Season 3

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 1999-001988-89
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
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 %
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 Salley 67 21.8 7.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 1.1 0.6 1.1 1.5 2.9 2.5 5.0 .498 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.9 .692
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tim Duncan ------- --- ----------
John Salley 17 23.1 8.9 2.0 2.6 4.6 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.7 3.4 3.4 5.8 .586 0.0 0.0 - 2.1 3.2 .667

Season 4

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2000-011989-90
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsNBA 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 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 Salley 82 23.3 7.2 1.9 3.5 5.4 0.8 0.6 1.9 1.2 3.4 2.5 5.0 .512 0.0 0.0 .250 2.1 3.0 .713
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 Salley 20 27.4 9.5 2.9 3.0 5.9 1.0 0.5 1.7 1.1 3.8 2.9 6.1 .475 0.0 0.0 - 3.7 4.9 .755

Season 5

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2001-021990-91
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisPistons 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 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 Salley 74 22.3 7.4 1.9 2.6 4.4 0.9 0.7 1.5 1.2 3.2 2.4 5.1 .475 0.0 0.0 .000 2.5 3.5 .727
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 Salley 15 20.5 7.5 1.3 2.8 4.1 0.7 0.4 1.3 0.9 3.9 2.5 4.7 .543 0.0 0.0 - 2.4 4.0 .600

Season 6

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2002-031991-92
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
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 ChampionPistons 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 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 Salley 72 24.6 9.5 1.5 2.6 4.1 1.6 0.7 1.5 1.4 3.1 3.5 6.8 .512 0.0 0.0 .000 2.6 3.6 .715
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 Salley 5 29.8 12.6 2.0 4.0 6.0 2.8 0.6 2.8 1.8 3.6 4.0 8.8 .455 0.0 0.2 .000 4.6 5.6 .821

Season 7

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2003-041992-93
Team San Antonio SpursMiami Heat
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 Salley 51 27.9 8.3 2.2 3.9 6.1 1.6 0.6 1.4 2.0 3.8 3.0 6.0 .502 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 2.8 .799
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2004-051993-94
Team San Antonio SpursMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHeat 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 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 Salley 76 25.1 7.7 1.7 3.6 5.4 1.8 0.7 1.0 1.2 3.4 2.7 5.7 .477 0.0 0.0 .667 2.2 3.0 .729
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 Salley 5 40.2 11.0 3.2 4.8 8.0 1.6 0.4 1.0 1.2 4.2 4.4 11.4 .386 0.0 0.0 - 2.2 3.2 .688

Season 9

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2005-061994-95
Team San Antonio SpursMiami Heat
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second 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 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 Salley 75 26.1 7.3 1.5 3.0 4.5 1.6 0.6 1.1 1.3 3.7 2.6 5.3 .499 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 2.8 .739
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2006-071995-96
Team San Antonio SpursToronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNBA 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 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 Salley 42 16.0 4.4 1.1 2.2 3.3 1.3 0.5 0.6 1.3 2.6 1.5 3.3 .450 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.0 .694
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 Salley 16 5.3 0.9 0.3 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.6 0.4 0.7 .545 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.4 .286

Note: John Salley didn't play in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99.

Season 11

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2007-081999-00
Team San Antonio SpursLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsNBA 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 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 Salley 45 6.7 1.6 0.4 1.0 1.4 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.4 1.5 0.6 1.5 .362 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 0.6 .750
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 Salley 18 4.2 0.9 0.5 0.7 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.9 0.3 0.7 .385 0.0 0.0 - 0.4 0.6 .700

Season 12

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2008-09-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second 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 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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2009-10-
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 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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Tim Duncan John Salley
Season 2010-11-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards 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 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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Tim Duncan John Salley
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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Tim Duncan John Salley
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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Tim Duncan John Salley
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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Tim Duncan John Salley
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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------

Season 19

Tim Duncan John Salley
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 Salley ------- --- ----------
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 Salley ------- --- ----------