Dirk Nowitzki vs. Tom Sanders Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Tom Sanders and Dirk Nowitzki that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Player comparisons: / /

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Dirk Nowitzki:
1998-99 to 2018-19
Tom Sanders:
1960-61 to 1972-73

NBA Championships and Seasons

Dirk Nowitzki1
Tom Sanders8
Dirk Nowitzki21
Tom Sanders13
Dirk Nowitzki15
Tom Sanders11
Dirk Nowitzki14
Tom Sanders0

Honors and Awards

Dirk Nowitzki1
Tom Sanders0
Dirk Nowitzki1
Tom Sanders0
*
Dirk Nowitzki4
Tom Sanders0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Dirk Nowitzki12
Tom Sanders0
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Dirk Nowitzki0
Tom Sanders1
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Dirk Nowitzki 20.7
Tom Sanders 9.6

Dirk Nowitzki 7.5
Tom Sanders 6.3

Dirk Nowitzki 2.4
Tom Sanders 1.1

Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Tom Sanders -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Dirk Nowitzki 31,560
Tom Sanders 8,766

Dirk Nowitzki 11,489
Tom Sanders 5,798

Dirk Nowitzki 3,651
Tom Sanders 1,026

Dirk Nowitzki 1,210
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 1,281
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 1,522
Tom Sanders 916

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .471
Tom Sanders .428

3-Point Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .380
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .879
Tom Sanders .767

Best Season (no game minimum)

Dirk Nowitzki 26.6
(2006)
Tom Sanders 12.6
(1966)

Dirk Nowitzki 9.9
(2002)
Tom Sanders 9.5
(1962)

Dirk Nowitzki 3.5
(2008)
Tom Sanders 1.6
(1970)

Dirk Nowitzki 1.4
(2003)
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 1.5
(2005)
Tom Sanders -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Dirk Nowitzki 25.3
Tom Sanders 8.8

Dirk Nowitzki 10.0
Tom Sanders 5.8

Dirk Nowitzki 2.5
Tom Sanders 1.0

Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 0.9
Tom Sanders -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Dirk Nowitzki 3,663
Tom Sanders 1,142

Dirk Nowitzki 1,446
Tom Sanders 760

Dirk Nowitzki 360
Tom Sanders 127

Dirk Nowitzki 149
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 129
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 145
Tom Sanders 130

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .462
Tom Sanders .436

3-Point Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .365
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .892
Tom Sanders .716

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Dirk Nowitzki 28.4
(2002)
Tom Sanders 13.5
(1966)

Dirk Nowitzki 13.1
(2002)
Tom Sanders 8.5
(1965)

Dirk Nowitzki 4.0
(2008)
Tom Sanders 1.6
(1966)

Dirk Nowitzki 2.0
(2002)
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 2.6
(2004)
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Notes: ** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat.
Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.