Avery Johnson vs. Gary Payton Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Gary Payton and Avery Johnson, 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.

Avery Johnson played 16 years in the NBA, 1 less than Gary Payton, who played 17. Avery Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1988-89, while Gary Payton had his rookie season in 1990-91. 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
Avery Johnson 16 10 1988-89 to 2003-04
Gary Payton 17 15 1990-91 to 2006-07

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17

Rookie Season

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1988-891990-91
Team Seattle SupersonicsSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf SemisSupersonics 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 %
Avery Johnson 43 6.8 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.6 1.7 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.8 0.7 1.9 .349 0.0 0.2 .111 0.2 0.4 .563
Gary Payton 82 27.4 7.2 1.3 1.6 3.0 6.4 2.0 0.2 2.2 3.0 3.2 7.0 .450 0.0 0.2 .077 0.8 1.2 .711
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 6 5.2 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.8 2.0 .417 0.0 0.7 .000 0.2 0.3 .500
Gary Payton 5 27.0 4.8 1.0 1.6 2.6 6.4 1.6 0.2 1.8 3.2 2.2 5.4 .407 0.0 0.2 .000 0.4 0.4 1.000

Season 2

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1989-901991-92
Team Seattle SupersonicsSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySupersonics 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 %
Avery Johnson 53 10.8 2.6 0.4 0.4 0.8 3.1 0.5 0.0 0.9 1.0 1.0 2.7 .387 0.0 0.1 .250 0.5 0.8 .725
Gary Payton 81 31.5 9.4 1.5 2.1 3.6 6.2 1.8 0.3 2.1 3.1 4.1 9.1 .451 0.0 0.3 .130 1.2 1.8 .669
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton 8 27.6 7.6 0.8 1.9 2.6 4.8 1.0 0.3 1.3 3.3 3.4 7.3 .466 0.0 0.3 .000 0.9 1.5 .583

Season 3

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1990-911992-93
Team Denver Nuggets, San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards
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 %
Avery Johnson 68 14.1 4.7 0.3 0.8 1.1 3.4 0.7 0.1 1.1 0.9 1.9 4.1 .469 0.0 0.1 .111 0.9 1.3 .678
Gary Payton 82 31.1 13.5 1.2 2.3 3.4 4.9 2.2 0.3 1.8 3.0 5.8 11.7 .494 0.1 0.4 .206 1.8 2.4 .770
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 3 6.3 0.7 0.0 0.0 0 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.7 .000 0.0 0.3 .000 0.7 0.7 1.000
Gary Payton 19 31.8 12.3 1.2 2.2 3.3 3.7 1.8 0.2 1.8 3.4 5.5 12.4 .443 0.1 0.3 .167 1.3 1.9 .676

Season 4

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1991-921993-94
Team San Antonio Spurs, Houston RocketsSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlaySupersonics 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 %
Avery Johnson 69 17.9 5.6 0.2 1.0 1.2 3.9 0.9 0.1 1.6 1.3 2.3 4.8 .479 0.1 0.2 .267 1.0 1.5 .653
Gary Payton 82 35.1 16.5 1.3 2.0 3.3 6.0 2.3 0.2 2.1 2.8 7.1 14.1 .504 0.2 0.7 .278 2.0 3.4 .595
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton 5 36.2 15.8 1.2 2.2 3.4 5.6 1.6 0.4 1.6 3.0 6.8 13.8 .493 0.6 1.8 .333 1.6 3.8 .421

Season 5

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1992-931994-95
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 SemisSupersonics 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 %
Avery Johnson 75 27.1 8.7 0.3 1.7 1.9 7.5 1.1 0.2 1.9 1.9 3.4 6.8 .502 0.0 0.1 .000 1.9 2.4 .791
Gary Payton 82 36.8 20.6 1.3 2.1 3.4 7.1 2.5 0.2 2.5 2.5 8.4 16.4 .509 0.9 2.8 .302 3.0 4.2 .716
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 10 31.4 8.2 0.8 2.3 3.1 8.1 1.0 0.1 2.3 2.7 3.6 7.0 .514 0.0 0.1 .000 1.0 1.4 .714
Gary Payton 4 43.0 17.8 1.5 1.0 2.5 5.3 1.3 0.0 2.0 3.3 8.0 16.8 .478 0.5 2.5 .200 1.3 3.0 .417

Season 6

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1993-941995-96
Team Golden State WarriorsSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Defensive Player of the Year
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Warriors Lost West Conf 1st RdSupersonics Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 82 28.4 10.9 0.5 1.6 2.1 5.3 1.4 0.1 2.1 2.0 4.3 8.8 .492 0.0 0.1 .000 2.2 3.1 .704
Gary Payton 81 39.0 19.3 1.3 2.9 4.2 7.5 2.9 0.2 3.2 2.7 7.6 15.8 .484 1.2 3.7 .328 2.8 3.8 .748
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 3 13.7 6.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 3.3 1.3 0.3 1.0 0.7 3.0 5.7 .529 0.0 0.3 .000 0.0 0.0 -
Gary Payton 21 43.4 20.7 0.9 4.2 5.1 6.8 1.8 0.3 3.0 3.3 7.7 15.9 .485 2.0 4.8 .410 3.3 5.2 .633

Season 7

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1994-951996-97
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 FinalsSupersonics 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 %
Avery Johnson 82 36.7 13.4 0.6 1.9 2.5 8.2 1.4 0.2 2.5 1.9 5.5 10.5 .519 0.0 0.3 .136 2.5 3.6 .685
Gary Payton 82 39.2 21.8 1.3 3.3 4.6 7.1 2.4 0.2 2.6 2.5 8.6 18.1 .476 1.5 4.6 .313 3.1 4.3 .715
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 15 38.3 14.5 0.6 1.5 2.1 8.3 1.3 0.4 2.0 1.9 6.1 11.7 .517 0.0 0.1 .000 2.4 3.9 .621
Gary Payton 12 45.6 23.8 1.7 3.8 5.4 8.7 2.2 0.3 2.9 2.2 8.8 21.3 .412 2.1 6.3 .333 4.2 5.1 .820

Season 8

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1995-961997-98
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisSupersonics 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 %
Avery Johnson 82 37.6 13.1 0.5 2.1 2.5 9.6 1.5 0.3 2.4 2.2 5.3 10.8 .494 0.1 0.4 .194 2.3 3.2 .721
Gary Payton 82 38.4 19.2 0.9 3.6 4.6 8.3 2.3 0.2 2.8 2.4 7.1 15.6 .453 1.6 4.8 .338 3.4 4.6 .744
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 10 40.7 12.3 0.6 3.0 3.6 9.4 2.0 0.1 2.4 2.1 5.2 12.1 .430 0.0 0.2 .000 1.9 2.7 .704
Gary Payton 10 42.7 24.0 0.9 2.5 3.4 7.0 1.8 0.1 2.6 3.1 8.7 18.3 .475 1.9 5.0 .380 4.7 5.0 .940

Season 9

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1996-971998-99
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
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 %
Avery Johnson 76 32.5 10.5 0.4 1.5 1.9 6.8 1.3 0.2 1.9 2.1 4.3 9.0 .477 0.1 0.3 .231 1.8 2.7 .690
Gary Payton 50 40.2 21.7 1.2 3.6 4.9 8.7 2.2 0.2 3.1 2.3 8.0 18.5 .434 1.7 5.6 .295 4.0 5.5 .721
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1997-981999-00
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisSupersonics 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 %
Avery Johnson 75 35.7 10.2 0.4 1.6 2.0 7.9 1.1 0.2 2.2 1.9 4.3 8.9 .478 0.0 0.2 .154 1.6 2.2 .726
Gary Payton 82 41.8 24.2 1.2 5.2 6.5 8.9 1.9 0.2 2.7 2.2 9.1 20.3 .448 2.2 6.3 .340 3.8 5.2 .735
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 9 38.1 17.3 0.3 1.1 1.4 6.1 1.0 0.0 2.3 3.0 6.8 11.2 .604 0.0 0.2 .000 3.8 5.7 .667
Gary Payton 5 44.2 25.8 1.6 6.0 7.6 7.4 1.8 0.2 3.6 3.2 10.0 22.6 .442 1.8 4.6 .391 4.0 5.2 .769

Season 11

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1998-992000-01
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 50 33.4 9.7 0.4 1.9 2.4 7.4 1.0 0.2 2.2 2.0 4.4 9.2 .473 0.0 0.2 .083 1.0 1.8 .568
Gary Payton 79 41.1 23.1 0.9 3.6 4.6 8.1 1.6 0.3 2.6 2.3 9.2 20.1 .456 1.3 3.4 .375 3.4 4.5 .766
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 17 38.5 12.6 0.5 1.9 2.5 7.4 1.2 0.1 2.9 1.8 5.4 11.0 .487 0.1 0.2 .333 1.9 2.8 .681
Gary Payton ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 1999-002001-02
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 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 82 31.4 11.2 0.4 1.5 1.9 6.0 0.9 0.2 1.7 1.8 4.9 10.4 .473 0.0 0.1 .111 1.4 1.9 .735
Gary Payton 82 40.3 22.1 1.0 3.9 4.8 9.0 1.6 0.3 2.5 2.2 9.0 19.2 .467 0.9 2.9 .314 3.3 4.1 .797
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 4 36.3 12.0 0.5 1.8 2.3 5.3 1.0 0.0 2.5 2.5 4.8 10.5 .452 0.0 0.0 - 2.5 3.5 .714
Gary Payton 5 41.2 22.2 2.0 6.6 8.6 5.8 0.6 0.4 2.6 2.4 9.0 21.2 .425 0.8 3.0 .267 3.4 5.8 .586

Season 13

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 2000-012002-03
Team San Antonio SpursSeattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsBucks 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 %
Avery Johnson 55 23.5 5.6 0.4 1.2 1.5 4.3 0.6 0.1 1.1 1.6 2.4 5.5 .447 0.0 0.1 .167 0.7 1.1 .683
Gary Payton 80 40.1 20.4 1.0 3.2 4.2 8.3 1.7 0.3 2.3 2.3 8.3 18.3 .454 0.7 2.3 .297 3.1 4.4 .710
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 13 21.7 5.8 0.2 1.0 1.2 3.2 0.8 0.1 0.8 1.8 2.6 6.8 .386 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 1.2 .533
Gary Payton 6 41.8 18.5 0.7 2.3 3.0 8.7 1.3 0.2 2.2 3.0 8.0 18.7 .429 0.2 2.5 .067 2.3 3.3 .700

Season 14

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 2001-022003-04
Team Denver Nuggets, Dallas MavericksLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 68 19.9 7.9 0.2 0.8 1.0 4.2 0.6 0.1 1.1 1.3 3.0 6.4 .479 0.0 0.1 .000 1.8 2.4 .742
Gary Payton 82 34.5 14.6 0.9 3.3 4.2 5.5 1.2 0.2 1.8 2.1 5.9 12.5 .471 0.7 2.0 .333 2.2 3.1 .714
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton 22 35.0 7.8 0.9 2.4 3.3 5.3 1.0 0.2 1.3 2.7 3.1 8.5 .366 0.6 2.5 .250 1.0 1.3 .750

Season 15

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 2002-032004-05
Team Dallas MavericksBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCeltics 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 %
Avery Johnson 48 9.0 3.3 0.2 0.4 0.6 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.6 0.5 1.3 3.1 .420 0.0 0.0 .000 0.6 0.8 .769
Gary Payton 77 33.0 11.3 0.6 2.4 3.1 6.1 1.1 0.2 1.9 1.6 4.4 9.4 .468 0.5 1.7 .326 2.0 2.6 .761
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton 7 34.1 10.3 1.1 3.0 4.1 4.6 0.9 0.1 1.6 1.4 4.7 10.6 .446 0.1 2.0 .071 0.7 0.9 .833

Season 16

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season 2003-042005-06
Team Golden State WarriorsMiami Heat
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 %
Avery Johnson 46 13.8 4.6 0.1 0.7 0.7 2.4 0.6 0.1 1.1 0.7 1.7 4.3 .402 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 1.7 .667
Gary Payton 81 28.5 7.7 0.4 2.5 2.9 3.2 0.9 0.1 1.3 2.1 2.8 6.8 .420 0.8 2.8 .287 1.2 1.6 .794
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton 23 24.3 5.8 0.3 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.0 0.1 0.8 2.4 2.1 5.0 .422 0.7 2.5 .293 0.8 1.1 .720

Season 17

Avery Johnson Gary Payton
Season -2006-07
Team -Miami Heat
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Heat 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 %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton 68 22.1 5.3 0.3 1.7 1.9 3.0 0.6 0.0 1.0 1.7 2.1 5.4 .393 0.5 1.8 .260 0.6 0.8 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Gary Payton 2 16.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 2.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.5 0.0 1.5 .000 0.0 0.5 .000 0.0 0.0 -