Tracy McGrady vs. Don Nelson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Don Nelson and Tracy McGrady, 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.

Tracy McGrady played 16 years in the NBA, 2 more than Don Nelson, who played 14. Tracy McGrady had the first of his seasons in 1997-98, while Don Nelson had his rookie season in 1962-63. 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
Tracy McGrady 16 9 1997-98 to 2012-13
Don Nelson 14 11 1962-63 to 1975-76

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 1997-981962-63
Team Toronto RaptorsChicago Zephyrs
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 %
Tracy McGrady 64 18.4 7.0 1.6 2.6 4.2 1.5 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.3 2.8 6.2 .450 0.2 0.6 .341 1.2 1.7 .712
Don Nelson 62 17.3 6.8 - - 4.5 1.2 - - - 2.2 2.1 4.7 .440 - - - 2.6 3.6 .729
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 1998-991963-64
Team Toronto RaptorsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 49 22.6 9.3 2.4 3.2 5.7 2.3 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 3.4 7.9 .436 0.2 0.7 .229 2.3 3.2 .726
Don Nelson 80 17.6 5.2 - - 4.0 1.0 - - - 2.3 1.7 4.0 .418 - - - 1.9 2.5 .741
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 5 11.2 3.4 - - 2.6 0.4 - - - 2.2 1.4 2.6 .538 - - - 0.6 0.6 1.000

Season 3

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 1999-001964-65
Team Toronto RaptorsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Raptors Lost East Conf 1st RdLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 79 31.2 15.4 2.4 4.0 6.3 3.3 1.1 1.9 2.0 2.5 5.8 12.9 .451 0.2 0.8 .277 3.5 5.0 .707
Don Nelson 39 6.1 2.4 - - 1.9 0.6 - - - 1.0 0.9 2.2 .424 - - - 0.5 0.7 .769
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 3 37.0 16.7 3.3 3.7 7.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 3.3 3.3 5.7 14.7 .386 0.7 2.3 .286 4.7 5.3 .875
Don Nelson 11 19.3 6.1 - - 5.4 1.7 - - - 2.8 2.2 4.8 .453 - - - 1.7 2.3 .760

Season 4

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2000-011965-66
Team Orlando MagicBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Most Improved Player-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Magic 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 %
Tracy McGrady 77 40.1 26.8 2.5 5.0 7.5 4.6 1.5 1.5 2.6 2.1 10.2 22.4 .457 0.8 2.2 .355 5.6 7.6 .733
Don Nelson 75 23.5 10.2 - - 5.4 1.1 - - - 2.5 3.6 8.2 .439 - - - 3.0 4.3 .684
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 4 44.3 33.8 1.5 5.0 6.5 8.3 1.8 1.3 2.0 2.8 12.8 30.8 .415 0.5 2.5 .200 7.8 9.5 .816
Don Nelson 17 18.6 8.4 - - 5.0 0.8 - - - 2.9 2.9 6.9 .424 - - - 2.5 3.1 .808

Season 5

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2001-021966-67
Team Orlando MagicBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Magic Lost East Conf 1st RdCeltics Lost East Div Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 76 38.3 25.6 2.0 5.9 7.9 5.3 1.6 1.0 2.5 1.8 9.4 20.9 .451 1.4 3.7 .364 5.5 7.3 .748
Don Nelson 79 15.2 7.5 - - 3.7 0.8 - - - 1.8 2.9 6.4 .446 - - - 1.8 2.4 .742
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 4 44.5 30.8 1.5 4.8 6.3 5.5 0.5 1.8 3.3 2.8 10.5 22.8 .462 1.3 4.0 .313 8.5 11.5 .739
Don Nelson 9 15.8 7.1 - - 4.7 1.0 - - - 1.3 3.0 6.6 .458 - - - 1.1 1.9 .588

Season 6

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2002-031967-68
Team Orlando MagicBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Magic 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 %
Tracy McGrady 75 39.4 32.1 1.6 4.9 6.5 5.5 1.7 0.8 2.6 2.1 11.1 24.2 .457 2.3 6.0 .386 7.7 9.7 .793
Don Nelson 82 18.3 10.0 - - 5.3 1.3 - - - 2.2 3.8 7.7 .494 - - - 2.4 3.3 .728
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 7 44.1 31.7 1.4 5.3 6.7 4.7 2.0 0.9 3.7 2.3 10.6 23.6 .448 2.3 6.7 .340 8.3 10.7 .773
Don Nelson 19 24.6 12.5 - - 7.5 1.7 - - - 2.6 4.8 9.2 .520 - - - 2.9 3.9 .743

Season 7

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2003-041968-69
Team Orlando MagicBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
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 %
Tracy McGrady 67 39.9 28.0 1.4 4.6 6.0 5.5 1.4 0.6 2.7 1.9 9.7 23.4 .417 2.6 7.7 .339 5.9 7.5 .796
Don Nelson 82 21.6 11.6 - - 5.6 1.1 - - - 2.4 4.6 9.4 .485 - - - 2.5 3.2 .776
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 18 19.3 12.4 - - 4.6 1.2 - - - 2.8 4.8 9.3 .518 - - - 2.8 3.3 .833

Season 8

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2004-051969-70
Team Houston RocketsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets 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 %
Tracy McGrady 78 40.8 25.7 0.9 5.3 6.2 5.7 1.7 0.7 2.6 2.1 9.2 21.3 .431 1.8 5.6 .326 5.5 7.1 .774
Don Nelson 82 27.1 15.4 - - 7.3 1.8 - - - 2.9 5.6 11.2 .501 - - - 4.1 5.3 .775
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 7 43.1 30.7 1.7 5.7 7.4 6.7 1.6 1.4 3.7 2.9 11.1 24.4 .456 2.4 6.6 .370 6.0 7.3 .824
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2005-061970-71
Team Houston RocketsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Tracy McGrady 47 37.1 24.4 1.0 5.6 6.5 4.8 1.3 0.9 2.6 1.9 8.7 21.5 .406 1.6 5.0 .312 5.4 7.2 .747
Don Nelson 82 27.5 13.9 - - 6.9 1.9 - - - 2.8 5.0 10.7 .468 - - - 3.9 5.2 .744
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2006-071971-72
Team Houston RocketsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdCeltics 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 %
Tracy McGrady 71 35.8 24.6 0.8 4.5 5.3 6.5 1.3 0.5 3.0 1.9 9.0 20.8 .431 1.8 5.4 .331 4.9 6.9 .707
Don Nelson 82 25.4 13.8 - - 5.5 2.3 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.9 .480 - - - 4.3 5.5 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 7 40.0 25.3 0.7 5.1 5.9 7.3 0.7 0.9 3.0 1.7 9.0 22.9 .394 1.3 5.1 .250 6.0 8.1 .737
Don Nelson 11 28.0 13.2 - - 5.5 1.9 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.0 .525 - - - 3.7 4.4 .854

Season 11

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2007-081972-73
Team Houston RocketsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdCeltics 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 %
Tracy McGrady 66 37.0 21.6 0.6 4.5 5.1 5.9 1.0 0.5 2.4 1.4 8.3 19.8 .419 1.3 4.5 .292 3.7 5.4 .684
Don Nelson 72 19.8 10.8 - - 4.4 1.4 - - - 2.2 4.3 9.0 .476 - - - 2.2 2.6 .846
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 6 41.2 27.0 1.2 7.0 8.2 6.8 1.5 0.8 3.0 1.3 10.3 24.3 .425 0.8 4.0 .208 5.5 8.8 .623
Don Nelson 13 23.3 11.0 - - 2.9 1.2 - - - 2.2 3.6 7.8 .465 - - - 3.8 4.3 .875

Season 12

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2008-091973-74
Team Houston RocketsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
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 %
Tracy McGrady 35 33.7 15.6 0.6 3.8 4.4 5.0 1.2 0.4 2.0 1.1 5.4 13.9 .388 1.3 3.3 .376 3.6 4.5 .801
Don Nelson 82 21.3 11.5 1.1 3.1 4.2 2.0 0.2 0.2 - 2.3 4.4 8.7 .508 - - - 2.6 3.3 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 18 25.9 11.4 1.4 4.0 5.4 1.9 0.4 0.2 - 3.0 4.6 9.1 .500 - - - 2.3 2.9 .774

Season 13

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2009-101974-75
Team Houston Rockets, New York KnicksBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCeltics 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 %
Tracy McGrady 30 22.4 8.2 0.7 2.4 3.1 3.3 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.3 3.0 7.8 .387 0.5 2.1 .250 1.6 2.1 .746
Don Nelson 79 26.0 14.0 1.6 4.3 5.9 2.3 0.4 0.2 - 3.0 5.4 9.9 .539 - - - 3.3 4.0 .827
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 11 24.9 15.4 1.6 2.5 4.1 2.4 0.2 0.2 - 3.3 6.0 10.6 .564 - - - 3.4 3.7 .902

Season 14

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2010-111975-76
Team Detroit PistonsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
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 %
Tracy McGrady 72 23.4 8.0 0.7 2.8 3.5 3.5 0.9 0.5 1.4 1.4 3.2 7.1 .442 0.4 1.2 .341 1.3 1.8 .698
Don Nelson 75 12.6 6.4 0.7 1.7 2.4 1.0 0.2 0.1 - 1.5 2.3 5.1 .462 - - - 1.7 2.1 .789
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson 18 17.5 9.1 0.9 2.0 2.9 0.9 0.2 0.1 - 2.6 2.9 6.0 .481 - - - 3.3 3.8 .870

Season 15

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2011-12-
Team Atlanta Hawks-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Hawks 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 %
Tracy McGrady 52 16.1 5.3 0.4 2.5 3.0 2.1 0.3 0.3 1.0 0.7 1.9 4.4 .437 0.3 0.6 .455 1.1 1.6 .675
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 6 15.0 4.2 1.0 1.8 2.8 1.0 0.0 0.3 1.7 0.7 1.7 4.3 .385 0.0 0.7 .000 0.8 1.0 .833
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Tracy McGrady Don Nelson
Season 2012-13-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards
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 %
Tracy McGrady ------- --- ----------
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Tracy McGrady 6 5.2 0.0 0.2 1.2 1.3 1.2 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.0 1.2 .000 0.0 0.5 .000 0.0 0.0 -
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------