John Lucas vs. JaVale McGee Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of JaVale McGee and John Lucas, 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.

John Lucas played 14 years in the NBA, 2 less than JaVale McGee, who played 16. John Lucas had the first of his seasons in 1976-77, while JaVale McGee had his rookie season in 2008-09. 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
John Lucas 14 6 1976-77 to 1989-90
JaVale McGee 16 8 2008-09 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

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1976-772008-09
Team Houston RocketsWashington Wizards
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Playoffs Rockets 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 %
John Lucas 82 30.9 11.1 0.7 2.0 2.7 5.6 1.5 0.2 - 2.1 4.7 9.9 .477 - - - 1.6 2.1 .789
JaVale McGee 75 15.2 6.5 1.6 2.3 3.9 0.3 0.4 1.0 0.8 2.1 2.5 5.2 .494 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.2 .660
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 12 35.8 14.7 0.3 2.4 2.8 6.9 2.0 0.3 - 2.8 6.3 11.6 .540 - - - 2.2 2.8 .765
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------

Season 2

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1977-782009-10
Team Houston RocketsWashington Wizards
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 %
John Lucas 82 35.8 12.4 0.6 2.5 3.1 9.4 2.0 0.1 2.6 2.5 5.0 11.5 .435 - - - 2.4 3.0 .772
JaVale McGee 60 16.1 6.4 1.5 2.6 4.1 0.2 0.3 1.7 0.9 2.0 2.6 5.1 .508 0.0 0.0 .000 1.2 1.9 .638
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------

Season 3

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1978-792010-11
Team Golden State WarriorsWashington Wizards
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 %
John Lucas 82 37.7 16.1 0.8 2.2 3.0 9.3 1.9 0.1 3.1 2.8 6.5 14.0 .462 - - - 3.2 3.9 .822
JaVale McGee 79 27.8 10.1 2.8 5.2 8.0 0.5 0.5 2.4 1.3 2.9 4.2 7.6 .550 0.0 0.0 .000 1.7 2.9 .583
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------

Season 4

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1979-802011-12
Team Golden State WarriorsWashington Wizards, Denver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets 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 %
John Lucas 80 34.5 12.6 0.8 2.0 2.8 7.5 1.7 0.0 2.3 2.5 4.9 10.4 .467 0.2 0.5 .286 2.8 3.6 .768
JaVale McGee 61 25.2 11.3 2.7 5.1 7.8 0.5 0.6 2.2 1.4 2.7 5.0 9.0 .556 0.0 0.0 - 1.3 2.7 .461
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee 7 25.9 8.6 3.3 6.3 9.6 0.7 0.7 3.1 0.6 3.0 3.3 7.6 .434 0.0 0.0 - 2.0 3.7 .538

Season 5

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1980-812012-13
Team Golden State WarriorsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets 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 %
John Lucas 66 29.1 8.4 0.5 1.8 2.3 7.0 1.3 0.0 2.8 2.1 3.4 7.7 .439 0.1 0.4 .167 1.6 2.2 .738
JaVale McGee 79 18.1 9.1 2.0 2.8 4.8 0.3 0.4 2.0 1.1 2.3 3.8 6.7 .575 0.0 0.0 1.000 1.4 2.4 .591
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee 6 18.7 7.2 2.8 2.3 5.2 0.0 0.7 1.0 1.8 2.8 3.0 5.2 .581 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 3.0 .389

Season 6

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1981-822013-14
Team Washington BulletsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bullets 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 %
John Lucas 79 24.6 8.4 0.5 1.6 2.1 7.0 1.2 0.1 2.0 1.3 3.3 7.8 .426 0.0 0.3 .091 1.7 2.2 .784
JaVale McGee 5 15.8 7.0 2.0 1.4 3.4 0.4 0.2 1.4 1.6 3.2 3.4 7.6 .447 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.2 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 7 10.6 4.4 0.0 1.1 1.1 2.9 0.4 0.1 0.6 0.9 2.0 3.7 .538 0.1 0.4 .333 0.3 0.4 .667
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------

Season 7

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1982-832014-15
Team Washington BulletsDenver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers
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 %
John Lucas 35 11.0 4.1 0.2 0.6 0.8 2.9 0.7 0.0 1.3 0.5 1.8 3.7 .473 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 1.2 .500
JaVale McGee 23 11.1 4.6 0.8 1.9 2.7 0.1 0.1 0.9 0.8 1.3 1.8 3.4 .532 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 1.4 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------

Season 8

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1983-842015-16
Team San Antonio SpursDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
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 %
John Lucas 63 28.7 10.9 0.4 2.5 2.9 10.7 1.5 0.1 2.3 2.0 4.4 9.4 .462 0.3 1.1 .275 1.9 2.5 .764
JaVale McGee 34 10.9 5.1 1.6 2.4 3.9 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.6 1.4 2.3 3.9 .575 0.0 0.0 .000 0.5 1.1 .500
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee 2 7.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 1.5 1.5 0.5 1.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 3.0 .333

Season 9

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1984-852016-17
Team Houston RocketsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets 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 %
John Lucas 47 24.6 11.4 0.4 1.4 1.8 6.8 1.3 0.0 2.2 1.7 4.4 9.5 .462 0.4 1.4 .318 2.2 2.7 .798
JaVale McGee 77 9.6 6.1 1.3 1.9 3.2 0.2 0.2 0.9 0.5 1.4 2.7 4.1 .652 0.0 0.0 .000 0.7 1.4 .505
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 5 30.4 13.6 1.4 2.8 4.2 5.4 1.2 0.0 1.4 2.8 5.2 16.0 .325 0.4 2.8 .143 2.8 4.4 .636
JaVale McGee 16 9.3 5.9 1.4 1.6 3.0 0.3 0.1 0.9 0.5 1.9 2.6 3.5 .732 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.1 .722

Season 10

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1985-862017-18
Team Houston RocketsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
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 %
John Lucas 65 32.6 15.5 0.5 1.7 2.2 8.8 1.2 0.1 2.3 1.9 5.6 12.6 .446 0.7 2.2 .308 3.6 4.6 .775
JaVale McGee 65 9.5 4.8 0.9 1.7 2.6 0.5 0.3 0.9 0.4 1.4 2.1 3.4 .621 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 0.8 .731
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee 13 12.2 6.5 1.2 2.0 3.2 0.3 0.2 0.8 0.4 1.5 3.0 4.5 .672 0.0 0.1 .000 0.5 0.7 .667

Season 11

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1986-872018-19
Team Milwaukee BucksLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bucks 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 %
John Lucas 43 31.6 17.5 0.7 2.2 2.9 6.7 1.7 0.1 2.1 1.9 6.6 14.5 .457 1.1 2.9 .365 3.2 4.0 .787
JaVale McGee 75 22.3 12.0 2.6 4.9 7.5 0.7 0.6 2.0 1.4 2.8 5.3 8.5 .624 0.0 0.2 .083 1.3 2.0 .632
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 12 30.2 15.6 0.3 1.8 2.1 5.2 1.2 0.1 1.7 1.4 5.7 12.5 .453 1.0 3.0 .333 3.3 4.0 .813
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------

Season 12

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1987-882019-20
Team Milwaukee BucksLos Angeles Lakers
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 %
John Lucas 81 21.8 9.2 0.4 1.6 2.0 4.8 1.1 0.0 1.5 1.3 3.5 7.8 .445 0.6 1.9 .338 1.6 2.0 .802
JaVale McGee 68 16.6 6.6 1.8 3.9 5.7 0.5 0.5 1.4 0.8 2.3 2.9 4.5 .637 0.0 0.1 .500 0.8 1.2 .646
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 5 16.0 5.8 1.0 0.6 1.6 3.8 1.0 0.0 1.2 1.0 2.0 5.4 .370 0.6 2.6 .231 1.2 1.8 .667
JaVale McGee 14 9.6 2.9 1.1 2.0 3.1 0.5 0.1 0.7 0.6 1.6 1.4 2.3 .625 0.0 0.1 .000 0.1 0.1 .500

Season 13

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1988-892020-21
Team Seattle SupersonicsCleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf SemisNuggets 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 %
John Lucas 74 11.4 4.2 0.3 0.8 1.1 3.5 0.8 0.0 0.9 0.7 1.6 4.0 .398 0.2 0.9 .265 0.7 1.0 .701
JaVale McGee 46 14.7 7.3 1.7 3.5 5.2 0.8 0.4 1.2 1.3 2.6 3.1 6.1 .511 0.1 0.5 .208 1.0 1.5 .657
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas 4 9.3 2.8 0.0 0.3 0.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.3 1.3 4.3 .294 0.0 0.8 .000 0.3 0.5 .500
JaVale McGee 4 8.5 2.0 0.8 2.3 3.0 0.8 0.3 1.3 0.3 1.0 0.8 2.5 .300 0.0 0.5 .000 0.5 1.5 .333

Season 14

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season 1989-902021-22
Team Houston RocketsPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns 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 %
John Lucas 49 19.1 5.8 0.4 1.4 1.8 4.9 0.9 0.0 1.7 1.2 2.2 5.9 .375 0.5 1.8 .299 0.9 1.1 .764
JaVale McGee 74 15.8 9.2 2.2 4.5 6.7 0.6 0.3 1.1 1.3 2.4 3.9 6.2 .629 0.0 0.1 .222 1.4 2.0 .699
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee 12 11.1 6.8 1.3 2.7 4.0 0.6 0.3 0.4 0.8 2.3 2.9 4.2 .700 0.0 0.1 .000 0.9 1.1 .846

Season 15

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season -2022-23
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 %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee 42 8.5 4.4 0.7 1.8 2.5 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.9 1.3 1.9 3.0 .640 0.0 0.1 .400 0.6 1.0 .585
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------

Season 16

John Lucas JaVale McGee
Season -2023-24
Team -Sacramento Kings
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 %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee 46 7.4 4.0 0.9 1.8 2.7 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.7 1.0 1.7 2.9 .598 0.0 0.2 .143 0.6 1.0 .578
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
John Lucas ------- --- ----------
JaVale McGee ------- --- ----------