Earl Cureton vs. Chris Paul Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Chris Paul and Earl Cureton, 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.

Earl Cureton played 12 years in the NBA, 7 less than Chris Paul, who played 19. Earl Cureton had the first of his seasons in 1980-81, while Chris Paul had his rookie season in 2005-06. 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
Earl Cureton 12 7 1980-81 to 1996-97
Chris Paul 19 15 2005-06 to 2023-24

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

Rookie Season

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1980-812005-06
Team Philadelphia 76ersNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Rookie of the Year
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs 76ers Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 52 10.2 4.2 1.0 2.0 3.0 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 1.3 1.8 3.9 .454 0.0 0.0 .000 0.6 1.2 .516
Chris Paul 78 36.0 16.1 0.8 4.3 5.1 7.8 2.2 0.1 2.3 2.8 5.2 12.1 .430 0.6 2.3 .282 5.1 6.0 .847
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 9 4.0 1.3 0.1 0.9 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.7 2.0 .333 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.2 .000
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1981-822006-07
Team Philadelphia 76ersNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs 76ers Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 66 14.5 5.3 1.4 2.7 4.1 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.7 2.2 2.3 4.6 .487 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.4 .543
Chris Paul 64 36.8 17.3 0.8 3.5 4.4 8.9 1.8 0.0 2.5 2.4 6.0 13.6 .437 0.8 2.2 .350 4.6 5.6 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 12 6.3 2.7 1.0 1.2 2.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 1.0 1.1 3.4 .317 0.0 0.1 .000 0.5 0.8 .667
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1982-832007-08
Team Philadelphia 76ersNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHornets 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 %
Earl Cureton 73 13.5 3.4 1.2 2.5 3.7 0.6 0.5 0.3 1.0 2.0 1.5 3.5 .419 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 0.9 .493
Chris Paul 80 37.6 21.1 0.8 3.2 4.0 11.6 2.7 0.1 2.5 2.3 7.9 16.1 .488 1.2 3.1 .369 4.2 4.9 .851
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 5 5.0 0.4 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.6 1.0 0.2 0.8 .250 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Chris Paul 12 40.5 24.1 1.3 3.6 4.9 11.3 2.3 0.2 1.8 3.6 9.3 18.4 .502 0.4 1.8 .238 5.2 6.6 .785

Season 4

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1983-842008-09
Team Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdHornets 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 %
Earl Cureton 73 12.4 2.6 1.2 2.8 3.9 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.8 2.0 1.1 2.4 .458 0.0 0.0 .000 0.4 0.8 .525
Chris Paul 78 38.5 22.8 0.9 4.7 5.5 11.0 2.8 0.1 3.0 2.7 8.1 16.1 .503 0.8 2.3 .364 5.8 6.7 .868
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 5 18.6 6.4 2.8 3.8 6.6 0.4 0.4 0.2 1.0 1.8 3.0 6.2 .484 0.0 0.0 - 0.4 1.2 .333
Chris Paul 5 40.2 16.6 0.8 3.6 4.4 10.4 1.6 0.0 4.8 1.6 6.0 14.6 .411 1.0 3.2 .313 3.6 4.2 .857

Season 5

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1984-852009-10
Team Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 81 20.3 6.1 2.1 3.1 5.2 1.0 0.7 0.5 1.4 2.7 2.6 5.3 .484 0.0 0.0 .000 1.0 1.8 .569
Chris Paul 45 38.0 18.7 0.4 3.8 4.2 10.7 2.1 0.2 2.5 2.6 7.0 14.2 .493 1.2 2.8 .409 3.6 4.2 .847
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 9 14.8 4.1 1.1 3.4 4.6 0.4 1.0 0.2 0.4 2.2 1.8 3.8 .471 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 1.0 .556
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1985-862010-11
Team Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdHornets 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 %
Earl Cureton 80 25.2 8.6 2.5 3.8 6.3 1.7 0.7 0.7 1.9 3.0 3.6 7.1 .505 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.6 .555
Chris Paul 80 36.0 15.9 0.5 3.6 4.1 9.8 2.4 0.1 2.2 2.5 5.4 11.6 .463 0.9 2.3 .388 4.2 4.8 .878
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 4 31.5 9.0 3.0 4.5 7.5 2.3 0.8 0.0 1.3 3.5 4.3 7.8 .548 0.0 0.3 .000 0.5 2.0 .250
Chris Paul 6 41.7 22.0 0.5 6.2 6.7 11.5 1.8 0.0 3.7 1.8 7.0 12.8 .545 1.5 3.2 .474 6.5 8.2 .796

Season 7

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1986-872011-12
Team Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayClippers 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 %
Earl Cureton 78 25.3 7.3 2.7 3.1 5.8 1.6 0.4 0.7 1.0 2.4 3.1 6.5 .476 0.0 0.0 .000 1.1 1.9 .539
Chris Paul 60 36.4 19.8 0.7 2.9 3.6 9.1 2.5 0.1 2.1 2.3 7.1 14.8 .478 1.3 3.6 .371 4.3 5.0 .861
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 11 38.5 17.6 0.5 4.5 5.1 7.9 2.7 0.1 3.9 2.7 6.4 14.9 .427 1.2 3.5 .333 3.7 4.3 .872

Season 8

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1987-882012-13
Team Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayClippers 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 %
Earl Cureton 69 16.3 4.3 1.4 2.5 3.9 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.8 2.0 1.9 4.5 .429 0.0 0.0 .000 0.5 0.9 .524
Chris Paul 70 33.4 16.9 0.8 3.0 3.7 9.7 2.4 0.1 2.3 2.0 5.9 12.2 .481 1.1 3.3 .328 4.1 4.6 .885
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 6 37.3 22.8 0.5 3.5 4.0 6.3 1.8 0.0 1.5 2.8 8.2 15.3 .533 1.0 3.2 .316 5.5 6.2 .892

Season 9

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1988-892013-14
Team Charlotte HornetsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayClippers 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 %
Earl Cureton 82 25.0 6.5 2.3 3.7 6.0 1.6 0.6 0.7 1.4 2.8 2.8 5.7 .501 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.5 .537
Chris Paul 62 35.0 19.1 0.6 3.7 4.3 10.7 2.5 0.1 2.3 2.5 6.5 14.0 .467 1.3 3.4 .368 4.8 5.6 .855
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 13 36.3 19.8 0.9 3.3 4.2 10.3 2.8 0.0 3.0 3.8 7.1 15.2 .467 2.5 5.4 .457 3.2 4.1 .774

Note: Earl Cureton didn't play in 1989-90.

Season 10

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1990-912014-15
Team Charlotte HornetsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayClippers 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 %
Earl Cureton 9 17.7 1.9 0.7 3.3 4.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.7 1.8 0.9 2.7 .333 0.0 0.1 .000 0.1 0.3 .333
Chris Paul 82 34.8 19.1 0.6 4.0 4.6 10.2 1.9 0.2 2.3 2.5 6.9 14.3 .485 1.7 4.3 .398 3.5 3.9 .900
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 12 37.1 22.1 0.6 3.8 4.4 8.8 1.8 0.3 2.2 3.1 7.9 15.8 .503 2.3 5.4 .415 4.0 4.3 .941

Note: Earl Cureton didn't play in 1991-92 and 1992-93.

Season 11

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1993-942015-16
Team Houston RocketsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionClippers 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 %
Earl Cureton 2 15.0 2.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.0 1.0 4.0 .250 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 1.0 .000
Chris Paul 74 32.7 19.5 0.5 3.7 4.2 10.0 2.1 0.2 2.6 2.5 7.0 15.1 .462 1.6 4.4 .371 4.0 4.4 .896
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton 10 10.0 1.8 0.6 2.3 2.9 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 2.0 0.8 1.0 .800 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.2 1.000
Chris Paul 4 31.3 23.8 1.0 3.0 4.0 7.3 2.3 0.0 1.0 3.0 9.3 19.0 .487 1.5 5.0 .300 3.8 3.8 1.000

Note: Earl Cureton didn't play in 1994-95 and 1995-96.

Season 12

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season 1996-972016-17
Team Toronto RaptorsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayClippers 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 %
Earl Cureton 9 5.1 0.8 0.4 0.6 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.1 0.3 0.9 .375 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.3 .333
Chris Paul 61 31.5 18.1 0.7 4.3 5.0 9.2 2.0 0.1 2.4 2.4 6.1 12.9 .476 2.0 5.0 .411 3.8 4.3 .892
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 7 37.1 25.3 0.6 4.4 5.0 9.9 1.7 0.1 2.7 3.4 9.6 19.3 .496 2.0 5.4 .368 4.1 4.7 .879

Season 13

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season -2017-18
Team -Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Rockets 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 %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 58 31.8 18.6 0.6 4.8 5.4 7.9 1.7 0.2 2.2 2.4 6.3 13.8 .460 2.5 6.5 .380 3.5 3.8 .919
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 15 34.5 21.1 0.6 5.3 5.9 5.8 2.0 0.3 1.9 3.1 7.9 17.1 .459 2.5 6.6 .374 2.9 3.5 .830

Season 14

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season -2018-19
Team -Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Rockets 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 %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 58 32.0 15.6 0.6 3.9 4.6 8.2 2.0 0.3 2.6 2.5 5.2 12.4 .419 2.2 6.1 .358 3.0 3.5 .862
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 11 36.1 17.0 1.3 5.1 6.4 5.5 2.2 0.6 3.4 3.3 6.0 13.5 .446 1.5 5.7 .270 3.5 4.1 .844

Season 15

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season -2019-20
Team -Oklahoma City Thunder
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Thunder 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 %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 70 31.5 17.6 0.4 4.6 5.0 6.7 1.6 0.2 2.3 2.3 6.2 12.7 .489 1.6 4.3 .365 3.6 4.0 .907
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 7 37.3 21.3 0.4 7.0 7.4 5.3 1.6 0.4 3.3 2.6 7.9 16.0 .491 2.3 6.1 .372 3.3 3.7 .885

Season 16

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season -2020-21
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Suns Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 70 31.4 16.4 0.4 4.1 4.5 8.9 1.4 0.3 2.2 2.4 6.3 12.6 .499 1.5 3.7 .395 2.4 2.6 .934
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 20 34.2 19.2 0.5 3.1 3.5 8.6 1.2 0.2 2.2 2.4 7.5 15.0 .497 1.5 3.3 .446 2.9 3.3 .877

Season 17

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season -2021-22
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Suns 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 %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 65 32.9 14.7 0.3 4.0 4.4 10.8 1.9 0.3 2.4 2.1 5.6 11.3 .493 1.0 3.1 .317 2.6 3.1 .837
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 13 34.5 17.5 0.5 3.6 4.2 8.3 1.5 0.2 2.4 3.1 6.7 11.9 .561 1.5 3.8 .388 2.7 2.8 .946

Season 18

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season -2022-23
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Suns 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 %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 59 32.0 13.9 0.5 3.8 4.3 8.9 1.5 0.4 1.9 2.1 5.0 11.3 .440 1.7 4.4 .375 2.3 2.7 .831
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 7 35.7 12.4 0.7 4.3 5.0 7.4 1.7 0.7 1.0 2.3 5.4 13.0 .418 1.3 4.0 .321 0.3 0.6 .500

Season 19

Earl Cureton Chris Paul
Season -2023-24
Team -Golden State Warriors
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 %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 58 26.4 9.2 0.3 3.6 3.9 6.8 1.2 0.1 1.3 1.9 3.6 8.1 .441 1.3 3.6 .371 0.7 0.9 .827
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Earl Cureton ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------