Hakeem Olajuwon vs. LaSalle Thompson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of LaSalle Thompson and Hakeem Olajuwon, 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.

Hakeem Olajuwon played 18 years in the NBA, 3 more than LaSalle Thompson, who played 15. Hakeem Olajuwon had the first of his seasons in 1984-85, while LaSalle Thompson had his rookie season in 1982-83. 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
Hakeem Olajuwon 18 15 1984-85 to 2001-02
LaSalle Thompson 15 7 1982-83 to 1996-97

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

Rookie Season

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1984-851982-83
Team Houston RocketsKansas City Kings
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 35.5 20.6 5.4 6.5 11.9 1.4 1.2 2.7 2.9 4.2 8.3 15.3 .538 0.0 0.0 - 4.1 6.7 .613
LaSalle Thompson 71 13.9 5.4 1.9 3.4 5.3 0.5 0.6 0.9 1.4 2.6 2.1 4.0 .512 0.0 0.0 .000 1.3 1.9 .650
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 37.4 21.2 6.6 6.4 13.0 1.4 1.4 2.6 2.2 4.4 8.4 17.6 .477 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 9.2 .478
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1985-861983-84
Team Houston RocketsKansas City Kings
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost NBA FinalsKings 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 68 36.3 23.5 4.9 6.6 11.5 2.0 2.0 3.4 2.9 4.0 9.2 17.5 .526 0.0 0.0 - 5.1 7.9 .645
LaSalle Thompson 80 23.9 10.3 3.3 5.6 8.9 1.1 0.9 1.8 2.1 4.1 4.2 8.0 .523 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 2.8 .717
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 20 38.3 26.9 5.1 6.8 11.8 2.0 2.0 3.5 2.2 4.4 10.3 19.4 .530 0.0 0.1 .000 6.4 10.0 .638
LaSalle Thompson 3 31.0 15.0 3.7 6.3 10.0 1.3 1.0 1.3 1.7 4.7 6.0 13.3 .450 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 3.7 .818

Season 3

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1986-871984-85
Team Houston RocketsKansas City Kings
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 75 36.8 23.4 4.2 7.2 11.4 2.9 1.9 3.4 3.0 3.9 9.0 17.8 .508 0.0 0.1 .200 5.3 7.6 .702
LaSalle Thompson 82 30.0 11.8 3.3 7.1 10.4 1.6 1.2 1.6 2.5 4.0 4.5 8.5 .531 0.0 0.0 - 2.8 3.8 .721
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 10 38.9 29.2 3.9 7.4 11.3 2.5 1.3 4.3 3.6 4.4 11.0 17.9 .615 0.0 0.1 .000 7.2 9.7 .742
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1987-881985-86
Team Houston RocketsSacramento Kings
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdKings 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 79 35.8 22.8 3.8 8.3 12.1 2.1 2.1 2.7 3.1 4.1 9.0 17.5 .514 0.0 0.1 .000 4.8 6.9 .695
LaSalle Thompson 80 29.7 12.8 3.2 6.5 9.6 2.1 0.9 1.4 2.3 3.7 5.1 9.9 .518 0.0 0.0 .000 2.5 3.5 .732
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 37.5 5.0 11.8 16.8 1.8 2.3 2.8 2.3 3.5 14.0 24.5 .571 0.0 0.3 .000 9.5 10.8 .884
LaSalle Thompson 3 33.0 9.7 4.7 7.0 11.7 0.7 0.7 2.0 1.3 2.7 3.7 10.7 .344 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 4.0 .583

Season 5

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1988-891986-87
Team Houston RocketsSacramento Kings
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 36.9 24.8 4.1 9.4 13.5 1.8 2.6 3.4 3.4 4.0 9.6 19.0 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 5.5 8.0 .696
LaSalle Thompson 82 26.4 11.1 2.9 5.5 8.4 1.5 0.8 1.5 1.7 3.5 4.4 9.2 .481 0.0 0.1 .000 2.3 3.1 .737
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 25.3 3.5 9.5 13.0 3.0 2.5 2.8 2.5 4.3 10.5 20.3 .519 0.0 0.0 - 4.3 6.3 .680
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1989-901987-88
Team Houston RocketsSacramento Kings
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement Blocks Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 38.1 24.3 3.6 10.4 14.0 2.9 2.1 4.6 3.9 3.8 9.8 19.6 .501 0.0 0.1 .167 4.7 6.5 .713
LaSalle Thompson 69 18.2 8.0 2.0 4.2 6.2 1.0 0.8 1.1 1.6 3.1 3.1 6.6 .471 0.0 0.1 .400 1.7 2.4 .720
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.3 18.5 3.8 7.8 11.5 2.0 2.5 5.8 2.8 4.8 7.8 17.5 .443 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 4.3 .706
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 7

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1990-911988-89
Team Houston RocketsSacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Blocks Leader-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 56 36.8 21.2 3.9 9.8 13.8 2.3 2.2 3.9 3.1 3.9 8.7 17.1 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 3.8 4.9 .769
LaSalle Thompson 76 30.6 13.9 2.9 6.5 9.4 1.1 1.0 1.2 2.4 3.8 5.5 11.2 .489 0.0 0.0 .000 3.0 3.7 .808
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 3 43.0 22.0 4.0 10.7 14.7 2.0 1.3 2.7 2.7 3.7 8.7 15.0 .578 0.0 0.3 .000 4.7 5.7 .824
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1991-921989-90
Team Houston RocketsIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayPacers 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 70 37.7 21.6 3.5 8.6 12.1 2.2 1.8 4.3 2.7 3.8 8.4 16.8 .502 0.0 0.0 .000 4.7 6.1 .766
LaSalle Thompson 82 25.9 6.8 2.1 5.5 7.7 1.3 0.8 0.9 1.8 3.8 2.7 5.7 .473 0.0 0.1 .200 1.3 1.6 .799
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------
LaSalle Thompson 3 18.0 6.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 0.7 0.0 0.3 2.3 4.3 2.3 5.0 .467 0.0 0.0 - 1.3 1.3 1.000

Season 9

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1992-931990-91
Team Houston RocketsIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Defensive Player of the Year-
Achievement Blocks Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf SemisPacers 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 39.5 26.1 3.5 9.6 13.0 3.5 1.8 4.2 3.2 3.7 10.3 19.5 .529 0.0 0.1 .000 5.4 7.0 .779
LaSalle Thompson 82 23.7 7.6 1.9 5.0 6.9 1.8 0.8 0.8 2.0 3.2 3.4 6.9 .488 0.0 0.1 .200 0.9 1.3 .692
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 12 43.2 25.7 4.3 9.7 14.0 4.8 1.8 4.9 3.8 3.1 10.3 19.8 .517 0.0 0.1 .000 5.2 6.3 .827
LaSalle Thompson 5 25.2 9.0 1.2 5.0 6.2 1.6 0.8 1.4 2.0 3.0 3.8 7.8 .487 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 1.4 1.000

Season 10

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1993-941991-92
Team Houston RocketsIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Defensive Player of the Year-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 80 41.0 27.3 2.9 9.1 11.9 3.6 1.6 3.7 3.4 3.6 11.2 21.2 .528 0.1 0.2 .421 4.9 6.8 .716
LaSalle Thompson 80 16.2 4.9 1.2 3.5 4.8 1.3 0.7 0.4 1.2 2.6 2.1 4.5 .468 0.0 0.0 .000 0.7 0.9 .817
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 23 43.0 28.9 2.4 8.7 11.0 4.3 1.7 4.0 3.6 3.6 11.6 22.3 .519 0.1 0.2 .500 5.6 7.0 .795
LaSalle Thompson 3 21.0 5.3 0.7 3.7 4.3 1.3 0.3 1.3 1.0 3.7 2.3 3.7 .636 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 0.7 1.000

Season 11

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1994-951992-93
Team Houston RocketsIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 39.6 27.8 2.4 8.4 10.8 3.5 1.8 3.4 3.3 3.5 11.1 21.5 .517 0.0 0.2 .188 5.6 7.5 .756
LaSalle Thompson 63 11.6 3.8 0.9 2.0 2.8 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.7 2.2 1.7 3.4 .488 0.0 0.0 .000 0.5 0.6 .744
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 22 42.2 33.0 2.0 8.3 10.3 4.5 1.2 2.8 3.1 4.3 13.9 26.2 .531 0.1 0.2 .500 5.0 7.4 .681
LaSalle Thompson 4 18.3 3.8 1.8 1.8 3.5 0.8 0.8 0.5 1.0 2.3 1.3 3.8 .333 0.0 0.0 - 1.3 1.5 .833

Season 12

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1995-961993-94
Team Houston RocketsIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf SemisPacers 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 38.8 26.9 2.4 8.4 10.9 3.6 1.6 2.9 3.4 3.4 10.7 20.8 .514 0.0 0.2 .214 5.5 7.6 .724
LaSalle Thompson 30 9.4 2.3 0.9 1.6 2.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.8 2.0 0.9 2.6 .351 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 1.0 .533
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 8 41.1 22.4 2.1 7.0 9.1 3.9 1.9 2.1 3.6 3.5 9.4 18.4 .510 0.0 0.1 .000 3.6 5.0 .725
LaSalle Thompson 7 5.6 1.4 0.4 1.0 1.4 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.6 1.3 0.6 1.6 .364 0.0 0.0 - 0.3 0.4 .667

Season 13

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1996-971994-95
Team Houston RocketsIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Rockets 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 78 36.6 23.2 2.2 7.0 9.2 3.0 1.5 2.2 3.6 3.2 9.3 18.3 .510 0.1 0.2 .313 4.5 5.7 .787
LaSalle Thompson 38 11.9 2.9 0.7 1.6 2.3 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.9 2.0 1.3 3.1 .415 0.0 0.0 - 0.4 0.4 .875
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 16 39.4 23.1 2.9 8.0 10.9 3.4 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.8 9.2 15.6 .590 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.5 .731
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1997-981995-96
Team Houston RocketsPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 47 34.7 16.4 2.5 7.3 9.8 3.0 1.8 2.0 2.7 3.2 6.5 13.5 .483 0.0 0.1 .000 3.4 4.5 .755
LaSalle Thompson 44 17.6 1.9 1.4 3.1 4.5 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.8 2.8 0.8 1.9 .398 0.0 0.0 - 0.4 0.5 .792
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 38.0 20.4 1.8 9.0 10.8 2.4 1.0 3.2 2.6 3.6 7.8 19.8 .394 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.6 .727
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1998-991996-97
Team Houston RocketsDenver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 50 35.7 18.9 2.1 7.4 9.6 1.8 1.6 2.5 2.8 3.2 7.5 14.5 .514 0.1 0.3 .308 3.9 5.4 .717
LaSalle Thompson 26 5.4 0.4 0.3 1.0 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 1.3 0.1 0.7 .158 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.2 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 31.0 13.3 1.3 6.0 7.3 0.5 1.3 0.8 1.3 4.5 5.8 13.5 .426 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.0 .875
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 1999-00-
Team Houston Rockets-
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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 44 23.8 10.3 1.5 4.8 6.2 1.4 0.9 1.6 1.7 2.0 4.4 9.6 .458 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 2.5 .616
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 2000-01-
Team Houston Rockets-
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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 58 26.6 11.9 2.1 5.3 7.4 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.4 2.4 4.9 9.8 .498 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.4 .621
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Hakeem Olajuwon LaSalle Thompson
Season 2001-02-
Team Toronto Raptors-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Raptors 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 %
Hakeem Olajuwon 61 22.6 7.1 1.6 4.4 6.0 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.6 2.4 3.2 6.9 .464 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.4 .560
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 17.2 5.6 1.8 2.0 3.8 0.4 1.4 0.8 1.2 1.8 2.4 4.4 .545 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.2 .667
LaSalle Thompson ------- --- ----------