Kevin Garnett vs. Jeff Ruland Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Jeff Ruland and Kevin Garnett, 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.

Kevin Garnett played 21 years in the NBA, 13 more than Jeff Ruland, who played 8. Kevin Garnett had the first of his seasons in 1995-96, while Jeff Ruland had his rookie season in 1981-82. 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
Kevin Garnett 21 14 1995-96 to 2015-16
Jeff Ruland 8 4 1981-82 to 1992-93

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21

Rookie Season

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 1995-961981-82
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Achievement All-Rookie Second Team-
Playoffs Did Not PlayBullets 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 %
Kevin Garnett 80 28.7 10.4 2.2 4.1 6.3 1.8 1.1 1.6 1.4 2.4 4.5 9.2 .491 0.1 0.4 .286 1.3 1.9 .705
Jeff Ruland 82 27.0 14.4 3.1 6.2 9.3 1.6 0.5 0.7 2.9 3.9 5.1 9.1 .561 0.0 0.0 .333 4.2 5.5 .752
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Jeff Ruland 7 33.9 17.0 4.1 5.3 9.4 0.7 0.4 0.6 3.3 3.4 5.4 11.3 .481 0.0 0.1 .000 6.1 8.0 .768

Season 2

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 1996-971982-83
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves 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 %
Kevin Garnett 77 38.9 17.0 2.5 5.6 8.0 3.1 1.4 2.1 2.3 2.6 7.1 14.3 .499 0.1 0.3 .286 2.7 3.5 .754
Jeff Ruland 79 36.2 19.4 3.7 7.3 11.0 3.0 0.9 1.0 3.8 3.9 7.3 13.3 .552 0.0 0.0 .333 4.7 6.9 .689
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 3 41.7 17.3 4.7 4.7 9.3 3.7 1.3 1.0 1.3 2.0 8.0 17.0 .471 0.3 0.3 1.000 1.0 1.0 1.000
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 1997-981983-84
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdBullets 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 %
Kevin Garnett 82 39.3 18.5 2.7 6.9 9.6 4.2 1.7 1.8 2.3 2.7 7.7 15.8 .491 0.0 0.2 .188 3.0 4.0 .738
Jeff Ruland 75 41.1 22.2 3.5 8.8 12.3 3.9 0.9 1.0 4.6 3.8 8.0 13.8 .579 0.0 0.1 .143 6.2 8.5 .733
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 5 38.6 15.8 3.4 6.2 9.6 4.0 0.8 2.4 4.4 3.4 7.2 15.0 .480 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 1.8 .778
Jeff Ruland 4 46.8 24.0 4.0 8.8 12.8 7.8 0.5 0.8 4.8 3.8 9.3 17.8 .521 0.0 0.3 .000 5.5 6.8 .815

Season 4

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 1998-991984-85
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdBullets 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 %
Kevin Garnett 47 37.9 20.8 3.5 6.9 10.4 4.3 1.7 1.8 2.9 3.2 8.8 19.1 .460 0.1 0.3 .286 3.1 4.4 .704
Jeff Ruland 37 38.8 18.9 3.4 7.6 11.1 4.4 0.8 0.7 4.8 3.5 6.8 11.9 .569 0.0 0.1 .000 5.4 7.9 .685
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 4 42.5 21.8 4.0 8.0 12.0 3.8 1.8 2.0 3.3 2.5 8.8 19.8 .443 0.0 0.5 .000 4.3 5.8 .739
Jeff Ruland 4 40.5 17.5 3.0 5.5 8.5 5.3 2.3 1.0 5.8 3.8 7.0 11.8 .596 0.0 0.5 .000 3.5 5.0 .700

Season 5

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 1999-001985-86
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesWashington Bullets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdBullets 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 %
Kevin Garnett 81 40.0 22.9 2.8 9.0 11.8 5.0 1.5 1.6 3.3 2.5 9.4 18.8 .497 0.4 1.0 .370 3.8 5.0 .765
Jeff Ruland 30 37.1 19.0 3.6 7.1 10.7 5.3 0.8 0.8 4.0 3.3 7.1 12.8 .554 0.0 0.1 .000 4.8 6.7 .725
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 4 42.5 18.8 3.3 7.5 10.8 8.8 1.3 0.8 2.8 3.0 7.5 19.5 .385 0.5 0.8 .667 3.3 4.0 .813
Jeff Ruland 2 27.0 14.0 2.5 3.5 6.0 5.0 0.0 1.0 3.0 3.0 3.5 7.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 7.0 8.5 .824

Season 6

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2000-011986-87
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves 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 %
Kevin Garnett 81 39.5 22.0 2.7 8.7 11.4 5.0 1.4 1.8 2.8 2.5 8.7 18.2 .477 0.2 0.8 .288 4.4 5.8 .764
Jeff Ruland 5 23.2 9.4 2.4 3.2 5.6 2.0 0.0 0.8 2.0 2.6 3.8 5.6 .679 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.4 .750
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 4 41.3 21.0 2.5 9.5 12.0 4.3 1.0 1.5 1.5 3.3 6.8 14.5 .466 0.0 0.8 .000 7.5 9.0 .833
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Note: Jeff Ruland didn't play in 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90 and 1990-91.

Season 7

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2001-021991-92
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves 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 %
Kevin Garnett 81 39.2 21.2 3.0 9.1 12.1 5.2 1.2 1.6 2.8 2.3 8.1 17.3 .470 0.5 1.4 .319 4.4 5.5 .801
Jeff Ruland 13 16.1 3.9 1.2 2.4 3.6 0.4 0.5 0.3 1.5 3.5 1.5 2.9 .526 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.2 .688
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 3 43.3 24.0 5.3 13.3 18.7 5.0 1.7 1.7 4.0 3.7 8.0 18.7 .429 0.3 0.7 .500 7.7 10.7 .719
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2002-031992-93
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDetroit Pistons
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Timberwolves 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 %
Kevin Garnett 82 40.5 23.0 3.0 10.5 13.4 6.0 1.4 1.6 2.8 2.4 9.1 18.1 .502 0.2 0.9 .282 4.6 6.1 .751
Jeff Ruland 11 5.0 1.1 0.8 0.8 1.6 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.5 1.5 0.5 1.0 .455 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.4 .500
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 6 44.0 27.0 1.8 13.8 15.7 5.2 1.7 1.7 3.0 3.8 11.8 23.0 .514 0.5 1.5 .333 2.8 4.7 .607
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2003-04-
Team Minnesota Timberwolves-
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves 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 %
Kevin Garnett 82 39.4 24.2 3.0 10.9 13.9 5.0 1.5 2.2 2.6 2.5 9.8 19.6 .499 0.1 0.5 .256 4.5 5.7 .791
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 18 43.5 24.3 2.2 12.4 14.6 5.1 1.3 2.3 4.2 3.2 9.3 20.7 .452 0.3 0.9 .313 5.4 6.9 .776
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2004-05-
Team Minnesota Timberwolves-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Kevin Garnett 82 38.1 22.2 3.0 10.5 13.5 5.7 1.5 1.4 2.7 2.5 8.3 16.6 .502 0.1 0.3 .240 5.4 6.7 .811
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2005-06-
Team Minnesota Timberwolves-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Kevin Garnett 76 38.9 21.8 2.8 9.9 12.7 4.1 1.4 1.4 2.4 2.7 8.2 15.7 .526 0.1 0.4 .267 5.2 6.4 .810
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2006-07-
Team Minnesota Timberwolves-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Kevin Garnett 76 39.4 22.4 2.4 10.4 12.8 4.1 1.2 1.7 2.7 2.4 8.4 17.6 .476 0.2 0.7 .214 5.5 6.6 .835
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2007-08-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Defensive Player of the Year-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA Champion-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 71 32.8 18.8 1.9 7.3 9.2 3.4 1.4 1.3 1.9 2.3 7.5 13.9 .539 0.0 0.2 .000 3.8 4.7 .801
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 26 38.0 20.4 2.8 7.8 10.5 3.3 1.3 1.1 2.1 2.8 8.3 16.8 .495 0.1 0.3 .250 3.6 4.5 .810
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2008-09-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Kevin Garnett 57 31.1 15.8 1.4 7.1 8.5 2.5 1.1 1.2 1.6 2.2 6.9 13.0 .531 0.0 0.1 .250 1.9 2.3 .841
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2009-10-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics Lost NBA Finals-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 69 29.9 14.3 1.1 6.2 7.3 2.7 1.0 0.8 1.5 2.5 5.8 11.2 .521 0.0 0.1 .200 2.7 3.2 .837
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 23 33.3 15.0 1.4 6.0 7.4 2.5 1.1 0.9 1.3 3.2 6.5 13.1 .495 0.0 0.1 .000 2.0 2.4 .839
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2010-11-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics 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 %
Kevin Garnett 71 31.3 14.9 1.2 7.7 8.9 2.4 1.3 0.8 1.6 2.1 6.1 11.6 .528 0.0 0.1 .200 2.6 3.1 .862
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 9 36.4 14.9 2.3 8.6 10.9 2.6 1.9 1.0 2.1 3.0 6.2 14.1 .441 0.0 0.1 .000 2.4 3.2 .759
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2011-12-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Playoffs Celtics 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 %
Kevin Garnett 60 31.1 15.8 1.1 7.1 8.2 2.9 0.9 1.0 1.8 2.4 6.5 13.0 .503 0.1 0.2 .333 2.7 3.2 .857
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 20 36.9 19.2 1.6 8.8 10.3 1.5 1.2 1.5 2.2 3.0 8.0 16.0 .497 0.1 0.2 .250 3.3 4.0 .813
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2012-13-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Celtics 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 %
Kevin Garnett 68 29.7 14.8 1.1 6.7 7.8 2.3 1.1 0.9 1.6 2.3 6.2 12.5 .496 0.0 0.2 .125 2.3 3.0 .786
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 6 35.3 12.7 1.5 12.2 13.7 3.5 0.8 1.0 3.2 3.8 5.0 10.0 .500 0.0 0.3 .000 2.7 2.8 .941
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 19

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2013-14-
Team Brooklyn Nets-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Nets 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 %
Kevin Garnett 54 20.5 6.5 1.1 5.5 6.6 1.5 0.8 0.7 1.3 2.3 2.9 6.6 .441 0.0 0.1 .000 0.7 0.9 .809
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett 12 20.8 6.9 1.6 4.8 6.3 1.3 0.8 0.4 1.1 2.1 2.8 5.3 .524 0.0 0.2 .000 1.4 1.9 .739
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 20

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2014-15-
Team Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves-
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 %
Kevin Garnett 47 20.3 6.9 1.0 5.6 6.6 1.6 1.0 0.4 1.0 2.3 3.0 6.5 .467 0.0 0.1 .143 0.8 1.0 .800
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------

Season 21

Kevin Garnett Jeff Ruland
Season 2015-16-
Team Minnesota Timberwolves-
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 %
Kevin Garnett 38 14.6 3.2 0.4 3.6 3.9 1.6 0.7 0.3 0.4 1.8 1.4 3.0 .470 0.0 0.0 .000 0.4 0.6 .667
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Jeff Ruland ------- --- ----------