Michael Cooper vs. Tom Sanders Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Tom Sanders and Michael Cooper 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
Michael Cooper:
1978-79 to 1989-90
Tom Sanders:
1960-61 to 1972-73

NBA Championships and Seasons

Michael Cooper5
Tom Sanders8
Michael Cooper12
Tom Sanders13
Michael Cooper11
Tom Sanders11
Michael Cooper0
Tom Sanders0

Honors and Awards

Michael Cooper5
Tom Sanders0
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Michael Cooper8
Tom Sanders1
Michael Cooper1 *
Tom Sanders0
*
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.
Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Michael Cooper 8.9
Tom Sanders 9.6

Michael Cooper 3.2
Tom Sanders 6.3

Michael Cooper 4.2
Tom Sanders 1.1

Michael Cooper 1.2
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 0.6
Tom Sanders -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Michael Cooper 7,729
Tom Sanders 8,766

Michael Cooper 2,769
Tom Sanders 5,798

Michael Cooper 3,666
Tom Sanders 1,026

Michael Cooper 1,033
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 523
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 873
Tom Sanders 916

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Michael Cooper .469
Tom Sanders .428

3-Point Percentage
Michael Cooper .340
*
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Cooper .833
Tom Sanders .767

Best Season (no game minimum)

Michael Cooper 11.9
(1982)
Tom Sanders 12.6
(1966)

Michael Cooper 4.1
(1981)
Tom Sanders 9.5
(1962)

Michael Cooper 5.9
(1984)
Tom Sanders 1.6
(1970)

Michael Cooper 1.6
(1981)
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 1.0
(1981)
Tom Sanders -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Michael Cooper 9.4
Tom Sanders 8.8

Michael Cooper 3.4
Tom Sanders 5.8

Michael Cooper 4.2
Tom Sanders 1.0

Michael Cooper 1.2
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 0.6
Tom Sanders -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Michael Cooper 1,581
Tom Sanders 1,142

Michael Cooper 574
Tom Sanders 760

Michael Cooper 703
Tom Sanders 127

Michael Cooper 203
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 96
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 168
Tom Sanders 130

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Michael Cooper .468
Tom Sanders .436

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

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Cooper .825
Tom Sanders .716

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Michael Cooper 13.0
(1987)
Tom Sanders 13.5
(1966)

Michael Cooper 4.4
(1982)
Tom Sanders 8.5
(1965)

Michael Cooper 5.7
(1984)
Tom Sanders 1.6
(1966)

Michael Cooper 2.0
(1981)
Tom Sanders -

n/a **
Michael Cooper 1.0
(1984)
Tom Sanders -

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