Michael Cooper vs. Melvin Sanders Comparison

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

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

Michael Cooper

vs.

Melvin Sanders

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Michael Cooper: 1978-79 to 1989-90
Melvin Sanders: 2005-06 to 2005-06

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Michael Cooper 5 Melvin Sanders 0

NBA Seasons Michael Cooper 12 Melvin Sanders 1

Playoffs Played Michael Cooper 11 Melvin Sanders 0

All-Star Games Michael Cooper 0 Melvin Sanders 0

Honors and Awards

All-Defensive 1st Team Michael Cooper 5 Melvin Sanders 0

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Michael Cooper 8 Melvin Sanders 0

Defensive Player of The Year Michael Cooper 1 * Melvin Sanders 0

* Notes: Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 8.9 Melvin Sanders 2.6

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.2 Melvin Sanders 1.4

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 Melvin Sanders 0.2

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 Melvin Sanders 0.3

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 Melvin Sanders 0.0

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 7,729 Melvin Sanders 41

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 2,769 Melvin Sanders 23

Total Assists Michael Cooper 3,666 Melvin Sanders 3

Total Steals Michael Cooper 1,033 Melvin Sanders 5

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 523 Melvin Sanders 0

Total Games Michael Cooper 873 Melvin Sanders 16

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .469 Melvin Sanders .485

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .340 * Melvin Sanders .667

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .833 Melvin Sanders .700

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 11.9 (1982) Melvin Sanders 2.6 (2006)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.1 (1981) Melvin Sanders 1.4 (2006)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.9 (1984) Melvin Sanders 0.2 (2006)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.6 (1981) Melvin Sanders 0.3 (2006)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1981) Melvin Sanders 0.0 (2006)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 9.4 Melvin Sanders -

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.4 Melvin Sanders -

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 Melvin Sanders -

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 Melvin Sanders -

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 Melvin Sanders -

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 1,581 Melvin Sanders -

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 574 Melvin Sanders -

Total Assists Michael Cooper 703 Melvin Sanders -

Total Steals Michael Cooper 203 Melvin Sanders -

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 96 Melvin Sanders -

Total Games Michael Cooper 168 Melvin Sanders 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .468 Melvin Sanders -

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .392 * Melvin Sanders -

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .825 Melvin Sanders -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 13.0 (1987) Melvin Sanders -

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.4 (1982) Melvin Sanders -

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.7 (1984) Melvin Sanders -

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 2.0 (1981) Melvin Sanders -

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1984) Melvin Sanders -

Notes: * Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.