George Johnson vs. Bob Lanier Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Bob Lanier and George 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

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.

George Johnson played 13 years in the NBA, 1 less than Bob Lanier, who played 14. George Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1972-73, while Bob Lanier had his rookie season in 1970-71. 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
George Johnson 13 8 1972-73 to 1985-86
Bob Lanier 14 9 1970-71 to 1983-84

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1972-731970-71
Team Golden State WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Warriors Lost West 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 %
George Johnson 56 6.2 1.6 - - 2.5 0.1 - - - 0.7 0.7 1.8 .410 - - - 0.1 0.3 .412
Bob Lanier 82 24.6 15.6 - - 8.1 1.8 - - - 3.3 6.1 13.5 .455 - - - 3.3 4.6 .726
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 9 5.0 1.4 - - 1.6 0.3 - - - 0.8 0.7 1.7 .400 - - - 0.1 0.4 .250
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 2

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1973-741971-72
Team Golden State WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
George Johnson 66 19.6 6.1 2.9 5.0 7.9 1.1 0.5 1.9 - 2.7 2.6 5.4 .483 - - - 0.9 1.6 .551
Bob Lanier 80 38.7 25.7 - - 14.2 3.1 - - - 3.7 10.4 21.1 .493 - - - 4.9 6.3 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 3

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1974-751972-73
Team Golden State WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -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 %
George Johnson 82 17.5 4.4 2.6 4.4 7.0 0.8 0.4 1.7 - 2.5 1.9 3.9 .476 - - - 0.7 1.1 .659
Bob Lanier 81 38.9 23.8 - - 14.9 3.2 - - - 3.4 10.0 20.4 .490 - - - 3.8 4.9 .773
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 17 18.9 5.2 3.2 4.2 7.4 0.9 0.5 2.4 - 2.9 2.1 3.7 .571 - - - 0.9 1.6 .593
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 4

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1975-761973-74
Team Golden State WarriorsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Warriors Lost West Conf FinalsPistons 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 %
George Johnson 82 21.3 4.9 2.4 5.2 7.6 1.0 0.6 2.1 - 3.4 2.0 4.2 .484 - - - 0.9 1.3 .673
Bob Lanier 81 37.6 22.5 3.3 9.9 13.3 4.2 1.4 3.0 - 3.4 9.2 18.3 .504 - - - 4.0 5.0 .797
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 13 20.1 5.8 2.9 3.8 6.7 1.3 1.1 1.8 - 3.5 2.4 4.2 .574 - - - 1.1 1.5 .737
Bob Lanier 7 43.3 26.3 3.7 11.6 15.3 3.0 0.6 2.0 - 4.0 11.0 21.7 .507 - - - 4.3 5.4 .789

Season 5

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1976-771974-75
Team Golden State Warriors, Buffalo BravesDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons 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 %
George Johnson 78 21.2 6.0 2.6 5.2 7.8 1.3 0.5 2.3 - 3.2 2.5 5.5 .462 - - - 0.9 1.3 .724
Bob Lanier 76 39.3 24.0 3.0 9.1 12.0 4.6 1.0 2.3 - 3.1 9.6 18.9 .510 - - - 4.8 5.9 .802
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 3 42.7 20.3 1.7 9.0 10.7 6.3 1.3 4.0 - 3.3 8.7 17.0 .510 - - - 3.0 4.0 .750

Season 6

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1977-781975-76
Team New Jersey NetsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement Blocks Leader-
Playoffs Did Not PlayPistons 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 %
George Johnson 81 29.8 8.7 3.0 6.6 9.6 1.4 1.0 3.4 2.7 4.2 3.5 8.9 .395 - - - 1.6 2.3 .719
Bob Lanier 64 36.9 21.3 3.4 8.3 11.7 3.4 1.2 1.3 - 3.2 8.5 15.9 .532 - - - 4.4 5.8 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 9 39.9 26.1 4.3 8.3 12.7 3.3 0.9 2.3 - 3.8 10.6 19.1 .552 - - - 5.0 5.6 .900

Season 7

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1978-791976-77
Team New Jersey NetsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Nets Lost East Conf 1st RdPistons 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 %
George Johnson 78 26.4 6.6 2.6 5.3 7.9 1.1 0.9 3.2 2.3 4.0 2.6 6.2 .427 - - - 1.3 1.8 .761
Bob Lanier 64 38.2 25.3 3.1 8.5 11.6 3.3 1.1 2.0 - 2.7 10.6 19.8 .534 - - - 4.1 5.0 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 2 35.0 14.5 4.0 8.5 12.5 1.0 1.0 3.5 2.0 4.0 7.0 10.5 .667 - - - 0.5 1.5 .333
Bob Lanier 3 39.3 28.0 4.3 12.3 16.7 2.0 1.0 2.3 - 3.3 11.3 18.0 .630 - - - 5.3 6.3 .842

Season 8

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1979-801977-78
Team New Jersey NetsDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
George Johnson 81 26.2 7.2 2.4 5.1 7.4 2.1 0.7 3.2 2.5 3.9 3.1 6.7 .457 0.0 0.0 .000 1.1 1.6 .706
Bob Lanier 63 36.7 24.5 3.1 8.2 11.3 3.4 1.3 1.5 3.6 2.9 9.9 18.4 .537 - - - 4.7 6.1 .772
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 9

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1980-811978-79
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Blocks Leader-
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West 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 %
George Johnson 82 23.6 5.0 2.6 4.7 7.3 1.1 0.6 3.4 1.3 3.3 2.0 4.2 .473 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 1.3 .734
Bob Lanier 53 34.6 23.6 3.1 6.2 9.3 2.6 0.9 1.4 3.3 3.4 9.2 17.9 .515 - - - 5.2 6.9 .749
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 7 23.6 4.4 3.4 5.6 9.0 0.9 0.4 2.3 1.0 2.9 1.7 3.7 .462 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 1.4 .700
Bob Lanier ------- --- ----------

Season 10

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1981-821979-80
Team San Antonio SpursDetroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards Achievement Blocks Leader-
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsBucks 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 %
George Johnson 75 21.0 3.0 2.0 4.0 6.1 1.1 0.3 3.1 1.2 3.5 1.2 2.6 .467 0.0 0.0 - 0.6 0.9 .672
Bob Lanier 63 33.8 19.2 2.4 6.3 8.8 2.9 1.2 1.4 2.6 3.2 7.4 13.8 .537 0.0 0.1 .167 4.4 5.6 .782
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 9 19.4 1.2 1.3 3.8 5.1 1.3 0.7 1.7 0.4 3.8 0.4 0.9 .500 0.0 0.0 - 0.3 0.6 .600
Bob Lanier 7 36.6 19.3 2.4 6.9 9.3 4.4 1.0 1.1 2.4 3.3 7.4 14.4 .515 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 6.0 .738

Season 11

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1982-831980-81
Team Atlanta HawksMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Hawks Lost East Conf 1st RdBucks Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 37 12.5 1.7 1.2 2.0 3.2 0.5 0.3 1.6 0.5 1.9 0.7 1.5 .439 0.0 0.0 - 0.4 0.5 .737
Bob Lanier 67 26.2 14.3 1.9 4.3 6.2 2.7 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.7 5.6 10.7 .525 0.0 0.0 1.000 3.1 4.1 .751
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 1 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Bob Lanier 7 33.7 17.6 1.7 5.7 7.4 4.0 1.7 1.1 2.1 2.6 7.1 12.1 .588 0.0 0.0 - 3.3 4.6 .719

Note: George Johnson didn't play in 1983-84.

Season 12

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1984-851981-82
Team New Jersey NetsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Nets Lost East Conf 1st RdBucks Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 65 12.3 1.6 1.1 1.7 2.8 0.3 0.3 1.2 0.6 2.3 0.6 1.2 .532 0.0 0.0 1.000 0.3 0.4 .815
Bob Lanier 74 26.8 13.5 1.2 4.0 5.2 3.0 1.0 0.8 2.2 2.9 5.5 9.9 .558 0.0 0.0 .000 2.5 3.3 .752
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 1 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Bob Lanier 6 35.3 16.0 3.0 4.5 7.5 3.7 1.3 0.8 2.3 3.5 6.8 13.3 .513 0.0 0.2 .000 2.3 4.2 .560

Season 13

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season 1985-861982-83
Team Seattle SupersonicsMilwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBucks Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson 41 6.4 0.9 0.6 0.8 1.5 0.3 0.1 0.9 0.3 1.1 0.3 0.6 .522 0.0 0.0 - 0.3 0.4 .688
Bob Lanier 39 25.1 10.7 1.5 3.6 5.1 2.7 0.9 0.6 2.1 3.2 4.2 8.5 .491 0.0 0.0 .000 2.3 3.4 .684
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 9 27.8 13.7 1.9 5.1 7.0 2.6 0.6 1.6 2.3 3.6 5.7 9.9 .573 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.9 .600

Season 14

George Johnson Bob Lanier
Season -1983-84
Team -Milwaukee Bucks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Bucks Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 72 27.9 13.6 2.0 4.4 6.3 2.6 0.8 0.7 2.3 3.2 5.4 9.5 .572 0.0 0.0 .000 2.7 3.8 .708
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
George Johnson ------- --- ----------
Bob Lanier 16 31.2 12.7 2.0 5.3 7.3 3.4 0.7 0.6 2.4 3.6 5.1 10.7 .480 0.0 0.0 - 2.4 2.8 .886