Joe Smith vs. Klay Thompson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Klay Thompson and Joe Smith, 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.

Joe Smith played 16 years in the NBA, 5 more than Klay Thompson, who played 11. Joe Smith had the first of his seasons in 1995-96, while Klay Thompson had his rookie season in 2011-12. 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
Joe Smith 16 10 1995-96 to 2010-11
Klay Thompson 11 9 2011-12 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

Rookie Season

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 1995-962011-12
Team Golden State WarriorsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement 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 %
Joe Smith 82 34.4 15.3 3.7 5.1 8.7 1.0 1.0 1.6 1.7 2.7 5.7 12.5 .458 0.1 0.3 .357 3.7 4.8 .773
Klay Thompson 66 24.4 12.5 0.4 2.1 2.4 2.0 0.7 0.3 1.6 2.3 4.8 10.9 .443 1.7 4.1 .414 1.2 1.4 .868
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 1996-972012-13
Team Golden State WarriorsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 %
Joe Smith 80 38.6 18.7 3.3 5.2 8.5 1.6 0.9 1.1 2.4 3.1 7.3 16.2 .454 0.2 0.6 .261 3.8 4.7 .814
Klay Thompson 82 35.8 16.6 0.4 3.3 3.7 2.2 1.0 0.5 1.9 2.9 6.2 14.7 .422 2.6 6.4 .401 1.6 1.9 .841
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------
Klay Thompson 12 41.3 15.2 0.8 3.8 4.6 1.8 1.0 0.6 2.0 3.7 6.3 14.5 .437 2.1 4.9 .424 0.4 0.5 .833

Season 3

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 1997-982013-14
Team Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 %
Joe Smith 79 29.7 14.6 2.5 3.4 6.0 1.2 0.8 0.6 2.0 3.3 5.9 13.5 .434 0.0 0.1 .000 2.9 3.7 .775
Klay Thompson 81 35.4 18.4 0.5 2.6 3.1 2.2 0.9 0.5 1.7 2.9 6.9 15.5 .444 2.8 6.6 .417 1.8 2.3 .795
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------
Klay Thompson 7 36.7 16.4 0.6 2.9 3.4 3.6 1.0 0.7 2.1 3.4 5.7 14.0 .408 2.3 6.3 .364 2.7 3.4 .792

Season 4

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 1998-992014-15
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 43 33.0 13.7 3.6 4.7 8.2 1.6 0.7 1.5 1.5 3.4 5.2 12.1 .427 0.0 0.1 .000 3.3 4.4 .755
Klay Thompson 77 31.9 21.7 0.4 2.9 3.2 2.9 1.1 0.8 1.9 1.6 7.8 16.9 .463 3.1 7.1 .439 2.9 3.3 .879
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 4 30.0 7.5 2.5 4.0 6.5 1.3 0.5 2.0 1.3 3.8 2.8 9.3 .297 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 2.8 .727
Klay Thompson 21 36.2 18.6 0.4 3.4 3.9 2.6 0.8 0.9 2.0 3.0 7.1 15.9 .446 2.7 7.0 .390 1.7 2.1 .800

Season 5

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 1999-002015-16
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdWarriors Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 78 25.3 9.9 2.4 3.8 6.2 1.1 0.6 1.1 1.5 3.9 3.7 8.0 .464 0.0 0.0 1.000 2.5 3.3 .756
Klay Thompson 80 33.3 22.1 0.4 3.4 3.8 2.1 0.8 0.6 1.7 1.9 8.1 17.3 .470 3.5 8.1 .425 2.4 2.8 .873
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 4 19.8 4.5 1.8 1.3 3.0 0.3 0.8 0.3 1.0 3.8 2.0 4.3 .471 0.0 0.3 .000 0.5 0.5 1.000
Klay Thompson 24 35.4 24.3 0.6 3.0 3.7 2.3 1.1 0.4 2.0 2.2 8.4 18.9 .444 4.1 9.6 .424 3.4 4.0 .854

Season 6

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2000-012016-17
Team Detroit PistonsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -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 %
Joe Smith 69 28.1 12.3 2.3 4.8 7.1 1.1 0.7 0.7 1.3 3.7 4.5 11.1 .403 0.0 0.1 .000 3.3 4.2 .805
Klay Thompson 78 34.0 22.3 0.6 3.0 3.7 2.1 0.8 0.5 1.6 1.8 8.3 17.6 .468 3.4 8.3 .414 2.4 2.8 .853
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------
Klay Thompson 17 35.1 15.0 0.6 3.2 3.9 2.1 0.8 0.3 1.4 2.6 5.5 13.9 .397 2.4 6.2 .387 1.5 1.9 .788

Season 7

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2001-022017-18
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 72 26.7 10.7 2.1 4.2 6.3 1.1 0.5 0.8 1.2 3.5 4.1 8.1 .511 0.0 0.0 .667 2.4 2.9 .830
Klay Thompson 73 34.3 20.0 0.4 3.4 3.8 2.5 0.8 0.5 1.8 1.6 7.9 16.2 .488 3.1 7.1 .440 1.1 1.3 .837
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 3 14.3 4.3 1.3 2.3 3.7 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 2.7 1.0 2.3 .429 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 2.7 .875
Klay Thompson 21 37.8 19.6 0.5 3.6 4.1 1.8 0.8 0.3 1.5 2.3 7.6 16.3 .465 3.2 7.5 .427 1.3 1.5 .871

Season 8

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2002-032018-19
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdWarriors Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 54 20.7 7.5 2.1 2.9 5.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 0.8 3.2 2.8 6.1 .460 0.0 0.0 .000 1.9 2.4 .779
Klay Thompson 78 34.0 21.5 0.5 3.4 3.8 2.4 1.1 0.6 1.5 2.0 8.4 18.0 .467 3.1 7.7 .402 1.7 2.0 .816
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 5 8.0 2.8 0.0 1.2 1.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 2.8 0.8 1.2 .667 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 1.2 1.000
Klay Thompson 21 39.0 20.7 0.6 3.5 4.1 2.1 1.3 0.7 1.8 2.8 7.8 17.1 .456 3.3 7.5 .443 1.8 2.0 .902

Note: Klay Thompson didn't play in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Season 9

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2003-042021-22
Team Milwaukee BucksGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bucks Lost East Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 76 29.7 10.9 3.0 5.4 8.5 1.0 0.6 1.2 1.1 2.8 4.1 9.3 .439 0.0 0.1 .200 2.7 3.2 .859
Klay Thompson 32 29.4 20.4 0.5 3.4 3.9 2.8 0.5 0.5 1.3 1.7 7.7 17.9 .429 3.6 9.3 .385 1.4 1.6 .902
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 5 35.4 13.2 4.6 5.4 10.0 0.4 0.8 2.0 1.2 3.0 5.4 11.0 .491 0.0 0.2 .000 2.4 2.6 .923
Klay Thompson 22 36.0 19.0 0.3 3.6 3.9 2.3 1.1 0.7 1.3 2.1 7.2 16.7 .429 3.5 9.1 .385 1.2 1.4 .867

Season 10

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2004-052022-23
Team Milwaukee BucksGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 %
Joe Smith 74 30.6 11.0 2.4 4.9 7.3 0.9 0.6 0.5 1.1 3.0 4.3 8.4 .514 0.0 0.0 .000 2.4 3.1 .768
Klay Thompson 69 33.0 21.9 0.6 3.6 4.1 2.4 0.7 0.4 1.8 1.9 7.9 18.1 .436 4.4 10.6 .412 1.7 1.9 .879
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------
Klay Thompson 13 36.0 18.5 0.1 4.1 4.2 2.2 0.5 0.3 2.0 2.2 6.5 16.8 .388 3.8 10.5 .368 1.6 1.8 .875

Season 11

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2005-062023-24
Team Milwaukee BucksGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bucks Lost East 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 %
Joe Smith 44 20.2 8.6 1.9 3.3 5.2 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.9 2.7 3.3 6.9 .475 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.6 .774
Klay Thompson 77 29.7 17.9 0.5 2.8 3.3 2.3 0.6 0.5 1.5 1.6 6.4 14.7 .432 3.5 9.0 .387 1.6 1.8 .927
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 5 21.2 7.6 1.2 4.2 5.4 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.2 3.2 3.2 6.6 .485 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 1.8 .667
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2006-07-
Team Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers-
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 %
Joe Smith 65 23.1 8.5 1.8 4.3 6.2 0.8 0.6 0.4 1.2 2.3 3.3 7.3 .449 0.0 0.1 .000 1.9 2.3 .845
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith ------- --- ----------
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2007-08-
Team Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers 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 %
Joe Smith 77 22.4 10.1 2.1 3.1 5.2 0.9 0.4 0.6 0.9 2.4 4.1 8.5 .478 0.0 0.0 .000 2.0 2.6 .755
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 13 20.2 6.6 1.5 3.1 4.6 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 3.2 2.8 5.7 .486 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 1.7 .636
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2008-09-
Team Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers 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 %
Joe Smith 57 19.3 6.6 1.6 3.1 4.6 0.7 0.3 0.7 0.4 2.1 2.7 5.8 .468 0.1 0.1 .429 1.0 1.4 .720
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 13 16.8 5.5 0.8 2.9 3.7 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.9 1.8 3.8 .460 0.2 0.4 .600 1.8 2.2 .793
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2009-10-
Team Atlanta Hawks-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Hawks 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 %
Joe Smith 64 9.3 3.0 1.0 1.4 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.5 1.2 3.0 .399 0.0 0.1 .143 0.6 0.8 .813
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 5 4.8 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.6 .000 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Joe Smith Klay Thompson
Season 2010-11-
Team New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Joe Smith 16 4.3 0.5 0.2 1.1 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.8 0.2 1.0 .188 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 0.1 1.000
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Joe Smith 5 2.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.4 .000 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Klay Thompson ------- --- ----------