Calvin Murphy vs. Dirk Nowitzki Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Dirk Nowitzki and Calvin Murphy, 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

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.

Calvin Murphy played 13 years in the NBA, 8 less than Dirk Nowitzki, who played 21. Calvin Murphy had the first of his seasons in 1970-71, while Dirk Nowitzki had his rookie season in 1998-99. 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
Calvin Murphy 13 6 1970-71 to 1982-83
Dirk Nowitzki 21 15 1998-99 to 2018-19

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21

Rookie Season

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1970-711998-99
Team San Diego RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie 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 %
Calvin Murphy 82 24.6 15.8 - - 3.0 4.0 - - - 3.2 5.7 12.5 .458 - - - 4.3 5.3 .820
Dirk Nowitzki 47 20.4 8.2 0.9 2.6 3.4 1.0 0.6 0.6 1.6 2.2 2.9 7.1 .405 0.3 1.4 .206 2.1 2.7 .773
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1971-721999-00
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
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 %
Calvin Murphy 82 31.0 18.2 - - 3.1 4.8 - - - 3.6 7.0 15.3 .455 - - - 4.3 4.8 .890
Dirk Nowitzki 82 35.8 17.5 1.2 5.2 6.5 2.5 0.8 0.8 1.7 3.1 6.3 13.6 .461 1.4 3.7 .379 3.5 4.2 .830
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1972-732000-01
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 77 22.0 13.0 - - 1.9 3.4 - - - 2.7 4.9 10.6 .465 - - - 3.1 3.5 .888
Dirk Nowitzki 82 38.1 21.8 1.5 7.7 9.2 2.1 1.0 1.2 1.9 3.0 7.2 15.2 .474 1.8 4.8 .387 5.5 6.6 .838
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 10 39.9 23.4 1.4 6.7 8.1 1.4 1.1 0.8 1.4 3.7 6.9 16.3 .423 1.3 4.6 .283 8.3 9.4 .883

Season 4

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1973-742001-02
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 81 36.1 20.4 0.6 1.7 2.3 7.4 1.9 0.0 - 3.8 8.3 15.9 .522 - - - 3.8 4.4 .868
Dirk Nowitzki 76 38.0 23.4 1.6 8.4 9.9 2.4 1.1 1.0 1.9 2.9 7.9 16.6 .477 1.8 4.6 .397 5.8 6.8 .853
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 8 44.6 28.4 2.1 11.0 13.1 2.3 2.0 0.8 2.8 3.4 9.1 20.5 .445 2.0 3.5 .571 8.1 9.3 .878

Season 5

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1974-752002-03
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost East Conf SemisMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 78 32.2 18.7 0.7 1.6 2.2 4.9 1.6 0.1 - 3.6 7.1 14.8 .484 - - - 4.4 4.9 .883
Dirk Nowitzki 80 39.0 25.1 1.0 8.9 9.9 3.0 1.4 1.0 1.9 2.6 8.6 18.6 .463 1.9 4.9 .379 6.0 6.9 .881
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy 8 38.1 24.4 1.1 1.3 2.4 5.6 1.8 0.1 - 4.5 9.0 19.5 .462 - - - 6.4 7.1 .895
Dirk Nowitzki 17 42.5 25.3 0.9 10.6 11.5 2.2 1.2 0.9 2.4 3.1 8.8 18.4 .479 1.6 3.6 .443 6.1 6.6 .912

Season 6

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1975-762003-04
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 82 36.5 21.0 0.6 1.9 2.5 7.3 1.8 0.1 - 3.6 8.2 16.7 .493 - - - 4.5 5.0 .907
Dirk Nowitzki 77 37.9 21.8 1.2 7.5 8.7 2.7 1.2 1.4 1.8 2.8 7.9 17.0 .462 1.3 3.8 .341 4.8 5.5 .877
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 5 42.2 26.6 2.6 9.2 11.8 1.4 1.4 2.6 1.2 3.2 9.0 20.0 .450 1.4 3.0 .467 7.2 8.4 .857

Season 7

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1976-772004-05
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost East Conf FinalsMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 82 33.7 17.9 0.7 1.4 2.1 4.7 1.8 0.1 - 3.4 7.3 14.8 .490 - - - 3.3 3.7 .886
Dirk Nowitzki 78 38.7 26.1 1.2 8.5 9.7 3.1 1.2 1.5 2.3 2.8 8.5 18.5 .459 1.2 2.9 .399 7.9 9.1 .869
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy 12 35.0 19.3 0.6 1.0 1.6 6.3 1.6 0.2 - 3.9 8.5 17.8 .479 - - - 2.3 2.5 .933
Dirk Nowitzki 13 42.5 23.7 1.9 8.2 10.1 3.3 1.4 1.6 2.5 3.2 7.9 19.7 .402 0.8 2.3 .333 7.1 8.5 .829

Season 8

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1977-782005-06
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayMavericks Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy 76 38.2 25.6 0.8 1.4 2.2 3.4 1.5 0.0 2.3 3.2 11.2 22.9 .491 - - - 3.2 3.5 .918
Dirk Nowitzki 81 38.1 26.6 1.4 7.6 9.0 2.8 0.7 1.0 1.9 2.0 9.3 19.3 .480 1.4 3.3 .406 6.7 7.4 .901
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 23 42.7 27.0 2.0 9.6 11.7 2.9 1.1 0.6 2.1 2.8 8.5 18.2 .468 1.0 2.9 .343 8.9 10.0 .895

Season 9

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1978-792006-07
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost East Conf 1st RdMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 82 35.9 20.2 1.0 1.2 2.1 4.3 1.4 0.1 2.3 3.5 8.6 17.4 .496 - - - 3.0 3.2 .928
Dirk Nowitzki 78 36.2 24.6 1.6 7.3 8.9 3.4 0.7 0.8 2.1 2.2 8.6 17.2 .502 0.9 2.2 .416 6.4 7.1 .904
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy 2 36.5 13.0 1.0 0.5 1.5 3.0 4.0 0.5 1.0 4.5 4.5 15.5 .290 - - - 4.0 4.5 .889
Dirk Nowitzki 6 39.8 19.7 4.2 7.2 11.3 2.3 1.8 1.3 2.3 3.3 6.0 15.7 .383 0.7 3.2 .211 7.0 8.3 .840

Season 10

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1979-802007-08
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost East Conf SemisMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 76 35.2 20.0 0.9 1.1 2.0 3.9 1.9 0.1 2.1 3.5 8.2 16.7 .493 0.0 0.3 .040 3.6 4.0 .897
Dirk Nowitzki 77 36.0 23.6 1.2 7.3 8.6 3.5 0.7 0.9 2.1 2.6 8.2 17.1 .479 1.0 2.9 .359 6.2 7.1 .879
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy 7 37.9 18.7 0.6 0.9 1.4 3.7 1.6 0.0 2.3 4.1 8.3 15.4 .537 0.3 0.6 .500 1.9 1.9 1.000
Dirk Nowitzki 5 42.2 26.8 2.0 10.0 12.0 4.0 0.2 1.4 2.0 2.6 8.6 18.2 .473 1.2 3.6 .333 8.4 10.4 .808

Season 11

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1980-812008-09
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost NBA FinalsMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 76 26.5 16.7 0.4 0.7 1.1 2.9 1.5 0.1 1.7 2.8 6.9 14.1 .492 0.1 0.2 .235 2.7 2.8 .958
Dirk Nowitzki 81 37.7 25.9 1.1 7.3 8.4 2.4 0.8 0.8 1.9 2.2 9.6 20.0 .479 0.8 2.1 .359 6.0 6.7 .890
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy 19 28.4 18.1 0.4 0.9 1.3 3.0 1.4 0.0 2.2 3.6 7.5 15.1 .495 0.1 0.4 .286 3.1 3.2 .967
Dirk Nowitzki 10 39.4 26.8 1.2 8.9 10.1 3.1 0.9 0.8 2.3 2.1 8.8 17.0 .518 0.6 2.1 .286 8.6 9.3 .925

Season 12

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1981-822009-10
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdMavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy 64 18.8 10.2 0.3 0.6 1.0 2.5 0.7 0.0 1.3 2.2 4.3 10.1 .427 0.0 0.3 .063 1.6 1.7 .909
Dirk Nowitzki 81 37.5 25.0 1.0 6.7 7.7 2.7 0.9 1.0 1.8 2.6 8.9 18.5 .481 0.6 1.5 .421 6.6 7.2 .915
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy 3 19.0 5.7 0.7 0.3 1.0 1.3 0.3 0.0 1.3 2.3 1.7 7.3 .227 0.0 1.0 .000 2.3 2.7 .875
Dirk Nowitzki 6 38.8 26.7 1.2 7.0 8.2 3.0 0.8 0.7 1.7 2.5 9.7 17.7 .547 0.7 1.2 .571 6.7 7.0 .952

Season 13

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season 1982-832010-11
Team Houston RocketsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Calvin Murphy 64 22.2 12.8 0.5 0.6 1.2 2.5 0.9 0.1 1.4 2.5 5.3 11.8 .447 0.1 0.2 .286 2.2 2.3 .920
Dirk Nowitzki 73 34.3 23.0 0.7 6.3 7.0 2.6 0.5 0.6 1.9 2.4 8.4 16.2 .517 0.9 2.3 .393 5.4 6.1 .892
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 21 39.3 27.7 0.6 7.6 8.1 2.5 0.6 0.6 3.1 2.2 9.1 18.9 .485 1.1 2.4 .460 8.3 8.9 .941

Season 14

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2011-12
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Mavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 62 33.5 21.6 0.7 6.0 6.7 2.2 0.7 0.5 1.9 2.1 7.6 16.7 .457 1.3 3.4 .368 5.1 5.7 .896
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 4 38.5 26.8 0.8 5.5 6.3 1.8 0.8 0.0 2.5 2.3 8.5 19.3 .442 0.3 1.5 .167 9.5 10.5 .905

Season 15

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2012-13
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 53 31.3 17.3 0.7 6.2 6.8 2.5 0.7 0.7 1.3 1.8 6.5 13.7 .471 1.2 3.0 .414 3.1 3.6 .860
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2013-14
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Mavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 80 32.9 21.7 0.5 5.7 6.2 2.7 0.9 0.6 1.5 2.1 7.9 15.9 .497 1.6 4.1 .398 4.2 4.7 .899
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 7 37.6 19.1 0.7 7.3 8.0 1.6 0.9 0.9 2.1 2.9 7.7 18.0 .429 0.1 1.7 .083 3.6 4.4 .806

Season 17

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2014-15
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Mavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 77 29.6 17.3 0.6 5.4 5.9 1.9 0.5 0.4 1.1 2.1 6.3 13.8 .459 1.4 3.6 .380 3.3 3.8 .882
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 5 36.2 21.2 0.8 9.6 10.4 2.4 0.4 0.4 2.0 3.2 7.6 16.8 .452 0.8 3.4 .235 5.2 5.6 .929

Season 18

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2015-16
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Mavericks 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 %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 75 31.5 18.3 0.7 5.8 6.5 1.8 0.7 0.7 1.1 2.1 6.6 14.8 .448 1.7 4.6 .368 3.3 3.7 .893
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 5 34.0 20.4 0.6 4.2 4.8 1.6 0.4 0.6 1.4 1.8 8.2 16.6 .494 0.8 2.2 .364 3.2 3.4 .941

Season 19

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2016-17
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 54 26.4 14.2 0.4 6.1 6.5 1.5 0.6 0.7 0.9 2.1 5.5 12.6 .437 1.5 3.9 .378 1.8 2.1 .875
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki ------- --- ----------

Season 20

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2017-18
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 77 24.7 12.0 0.3 5.4 5.7 1.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.9 4.5 9.8 .456 1.8 4.4 .409 1.3 1.4 .898
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki ------- --- ----------

Season 21

Calvin Murphy Dirk Nowitzki
Season -2018-19
Team -Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki 51 15.6 7.3 0.1 3.0 3.1 0.7 0.2 0.4 0.4 1.5 2.6 7.4 .359 1.3 4.0 .312 0.8 1.0 .780
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Calvin Murphy ------- --- ----------
Dirk Nowitzki ------- --- ----------