Vinny Del Negro vs. Dennis Johnson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Dennis Johnson and Vinny Del Negro, 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.

Vinny Del Negro played 12 years in the NBA, 2 less than Dennis Johnson, who played 14. Vinny Del Negro had the first of his seasons in 1988-89, while Dennis Johnson 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
Vinny Del Negro 12 7 1988-89 to 2001-02
Dennis Johnson 14 13 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

Rookie Season

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1988-891976-77
Team Sacramento KingsSeattle Supersonics
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 %
Vinny Del Negro 80 19.5 7.1 0.6 1.5 2.1 2.6 0.8 0.2 1.0 2.0 3.0 6.3 .475 0.1 0.3 .300 1.1 1.3 .850
Dennis Johnson 81 20.6 9.2 2.0 1.7 3.7 1.5 1.5 0.7 - 2.7 3.5 7.0 .504 - - - 2.2 3.5 .624
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1989-901977-78
Team Sacramento KingsSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySupersonics Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 76 24.4 9.7 0.5 2.1 2.6 3.3 0.8 0.1 1.5 2.4 3.9 8.5 .462 0.1 0.4 .313 1.8 2.0 .871
Dennis Johnson 81 27.3 12.7 1.9 1.8 3.6 2.8 1.5 0.6 2.0 2.6 4.5 10.9 .417 - - - 3.7 5.0 .732
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 22 37.6 16.1 2.1 2.5 4.6 3.3 1.0 1.0 2.5 2.9 5.5 13.4 .412 - - - 5.1 7.2 .704

Note: Vinny Del Negro didn't play in 1990-91 and 1991-92.

Season 3

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1992-931978-79
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 73 20.9 7.4 0.3 2.0 2.2 4.0 0.6 0.0 1.3 2.0 3.0 5.9 .507 0.1 0.3 .250 1.4 1.6 .863
Dennis Johnson 80 34.0 15.9 1.8 2.9 4.7 3.5 1.3 1.2 2.4 2.6 6.0 13.9 .434 - - - 3.8 4.9 .781
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 8 14.0 5.0 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.0 0.1 0.1 0.4 1.6 2.1 4.8 .447 0.3 1.1 .222 0.5 0.5 1.000
Dennis Johnson 17 40.1 20.9 2.6 3.5 6.1 4.1 1.6 1.5 3.0 3.7 8.0 17.8 .450 - - - 4.9 6.4 .771

Season 4

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1993-941979-80
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf 1st RdSupersonics 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 %
Vinny Del Negro 77 25.3 10.0 0.4 1.7 2.1 4.2 0.8 0.0 1.3 2.2 4.0 8.2 .487 0.2 0.6 .349 1.8 2.2 .824
Dennis Johnson 81 36.3 19.0 2.1 3.0 5.1 4.1 1.8 1.0 2.8 3.3 7.1 16.8 .422 0.1 0.7 .207 4.7 6.0 .780
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 4 23.3 7.3 0.3 1.5 1.8 4.5 0.3 0.0 1.5 1.5 3.0 6.8 .444 0.5 1.0 .500 0.8 1.3 .600
Dennis Johnson 15 38.8 17.1 1.7 2.6 4.3 3.8 1.8 0.7 2.9 3.2 6.7 16.3 .410 0.3 1.0 .333 3.5 4.1 .839

Season 5

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1994-951980-81
Team San Antonio SpursPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsSuns 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 %
Vinny Del Negro 75 31.5 12.5 0.4 2.2 2.6 3.0 0.8 0.2 0.7 2.4 5.0 10.2 .486 0.9 2.2 .407 1.7 2.2 .790
Dennis Johnson 79 33.1 18.8 2.0 2.6 4.6 3.7 1.7 0.8 2.6 3.1 6.7 15.4 .436 0.1 0.6 .216 5.2 6.3 .820
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 15 25.5 8.7 0.3 1.9 2.1 2.5 0.5 0.1 1.1 1.5 3.4 7.9 .432 0.6 1.3 .450 1.3 1.6 .833
Dennis Johnson 7 38.1 19.6 1.0 3.7 4.7 2.9 1.3 1.3 2.7 2.6 7.4 15.7 .473 0.1 0.7 .200 4.6 6.0 .762

Season 6

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1995-961981-82
Team San Antonio SpursPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisSuns 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 %
Vinny Del Negro 82 33.7 14.5 0.4 2.9 3.3 3.8 1.0 0.1 1.2 2.0 5.8 11.7 .497 0.7 1.8 .380 2.2 2.6 .832
Dennis Johnson 80 36.7 19.5 1.8 3.4 5.1 4.6 1.3 0.7 2.9 3.2 7.2 15.4 .470 0.1 0.5 .190 5.0 6.2 .806
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 10 37.9 14.3 0.4 2.2 2.6 2.9 1.3 0.3 0.6 1.9 5.7 12.4 .460 1.6 2.7 .593 1.3 1.9 .684
Dennis Johnson 7 38.7 22.3 1.9 2.6 4.4 4.6 2.1 0.6 3.6 4.0 9.0 18.9 .477 0.0 0.4 .000 4.3 5.6 .769

Season 7

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1996-971982-83
Team San Antonio SpursPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
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 %
Vinny Del Negro 72 31.2 12.3 0.5 2.4 2.9 3.2 0.8 0.1 1.3 1.8 5.1 10.8 .467 0.6 1.9 .314 1.6 1.8 .868
Dennis Johnson 77 33.1 14.2 1.2 3.2 4.4 5.0 1.3 0.5 2.6 2.6 5.2 11.2 .462 0.1 0.4 .161 3.8 4.8 .791
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 3 36.0 18.0 2.0 5.7 7.7 5.7 1.7 0.7 2.7 3.0 7.3 16.0 .458 0.0 0.3 .000 3.3 4.0 .833

Season 8

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1997-981983-84
Team San Antonio SpursBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 54 31.9 9.5 0.2 2.6 2.8 3.4 0.7 0.1 1.0 2.1 3.9 8.9 .441 0.3 0.7 .436 1.4 1.7 .796
Dennis Johnson 80 33.3 13.2 1.1 2.4 3.5 4.2 1.2 0.7 2.2 3.1 4.8 11.0 .437 0.1 0.4 .125 3.5 4.1 .852
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 9 31.6 10.7 0.2 2.4 2.7 3.2 0.9 0.0 1.4 3.3 4.3 9.0 .481 0.2 1.1 .200 1.8 1.9 .941
Dennis Johnson 22 36.7 16.6 1.4 2.2 3.6 4.4 1.1 0.3 2.4 3.4 5.9 14.5 .404 0.1 0.3 .429 4.7 5.5 .867

Season 9

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1998-991984-85
Team Milwaukee BucksBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayCeltics Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 48 22.8 5.9 0.3 1.8 2.1 3.6 0.7 0.1 1.1 1.3 2.4 5.6 .422 0.3 0.6 .433 0.8 1.0 .800
Dennis Johnson 80 37.2 15.7 1.1 2.8 4.0 6.8 1.2 0.5 2.7 2.8 6.2 13.3 .462 0.1 0.3 .269 3.3 3.8 .853
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 21 40.4 17.3 1.1 2.9 4.0 7.3 1.5 0.4 3.4 3.1 6.8 15.2 .445 0.0 0.7 .000 3.8 4.4 .860

Season 10

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 1999-001985-86
Team Milwaukee BucksBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Playoffs Bucks 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 %
Vinny Del Negro 67 18.1 5.2 0.1 1.5 1.6 2.4 0.5 0.0 0.7 1.2 2.3 4.9 .471 0.1 0.4 .333 0.5 0.6 .897
Dennis Johnson 78 35.0 15.6 0.9 2.6 3.4 5.8 1.4 0.4 2.2 2.6 6.2 13.6 .455 0.1 0.5 .143 3.1 3.8 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 5 18.6 5.2 0.0 1.6 1.6 1.8 0.6 0.0 0.6 0.8 2.6 6.0 .433 0.0 0.4 .000 0.0 0.0 -
Dennis Johnson 18 39.7 16.2 1.3 2.9 4.2 5.9 2.2 0.3 2.8 3.2 6.1 13.6 .445 0.3 0.9 .375 3.7 4.7 .798

Season 11

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 2000-011986-87
Team Golden State Warriors, Phoenix SunsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Suns Lost West Conf 1st RdCeltics Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 65 14.2 3.9 0.2 1.1 1.3 1.9 0.4 0.0 0.5 1.2 1.6 3.6 .453 0.0 0.2 .077 0.6 0.7 .932
Dennis Johnson 79 37.1 13.4 0.6 2.7 3.3 7.5 1.1 0.5 2.2 2.5 5.4 12.1 .444 0.1 0.8 .113 2.6 3.2 .833
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro 3 8.7 2.7 0.0 0.7 0.7 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.3 2.3 .571 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Dennis Johnson 23 41.9 18.9 1.0 2.9 4.0 8.9 0.7 0.3 1.9 3.1 7.3 15.7 .465 0.1 1.1 .115 4.2 4.9 .850

Season 12

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season 2001-021987-88
Team Phoenix SunsBoston 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 %
Vinny Del Negro 2 3.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.0 .250 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Dennis Johnson 77 34.7 12.6 0.8 2.3 3.1 7.8 1.2 0.4 2.5 2.6 4.6 10.4 .438 0.2 0.6 .261 3.3 3.9 .856
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 17 41.3 15.9 0.9 3.6 4.5 8.2 1.4 0.5 2.6 3.0 5.4 12.4 .433 0.4 0.9 .375 4.8 6.1 .796

Season 13

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season -1988-89
Team -Boston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Celtics 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 %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 72 32.1 10.0 0.4 2.2 2.6 6.6 1.3 0.3 2.4 2.9 3.8 8.9 .434 0.1 0.7 .140 2.2 2.7 .821
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 3 19.7 2.7 0.7 0.7 1.3 3.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 2.7 1.3 5.0 .267 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -

Season 14

Vinny Del Negro Dennis Johnson
Season -1989-90
Team -Boston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Celtics 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 %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 75 27.1 7.1 0.6 2.0 2.7 6.5 1.1 0.2 1.6 2.4 2.7 6.3 .434 0.0 0.3 .042 1.6 1.9 .843
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinny Del Negro ------- --- ----------
Dennis Johnson 5 32.4 13.8 0.4 2.4 2.8 5.6 0.4 0.4 2.0 3.4 6.0 12.4 .484 0.4 1.2 .333 1.4 1.4 1.000