Kevin Garnett vs. Purvis Short Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Purvis Short 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, 9 more than Purvis Short, who played 12. Kevin Garnett had the first of his seasons in 1995-96, while Purvis Short had his rookie season in 1978-79. 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
Purvis Short 12 3 1978-79 to 1989-90

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 Purvis Short
Season 1995-961978-79
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie Second 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 %
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
Purvis Short 75 22.7 10.6 1.7 2.9 4.6 1.3 0.7 0.2 1.5 3.1 4.9 10.3 .479 - - - 0.8 1.1 .671
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 1996-971979-80
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
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
Purvis Short 62 26.4 17.0 1.9 3.2 5.1 2.0 1.0 0.1 2.0 3.0 7.4 14.8 .503 0.0 0.1 .000 2.2 2.7 .812
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 1997-981980-81
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
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 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
Purvis Short 79 29.2 16.1 1.9 3.0 4.9 3.2 1.0 0.2 1.8 3.1 6.9 14.6 .475 0.0 0.2 .176 2.1 2.6 .820
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 1998-991981-82
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
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 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
Purvis Short 76 23.4 14.4 1.6 1.9 3.5 2.8 0.9 0.1 1.6 2.9 6.0 12.3 .488 0.1 0.4 .214 2.3 2.9 .801
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 5

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 1999-001982-83
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First 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 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
Purvis Short 67 35.8 21.4 2.2 3.1 5.3 3.4 1.4 0.2 2.9 3.6 8.8 18.0 .487 0.1 0.2 .267 3.8 4.6 .828
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 2000-011983-84
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
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
Purvis Short 79 37.3 22.8 2.3 3.2 5.5 3.1 1.3 0.1 2.9 3.2 9.0 19.1 .473 0.3 0.9 .306 4.5 5.6 .793
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 7

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 2001-021984-85
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
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
Purvis Short 78 39.5 28.0 2.0 3.1 5.1 3.0 1.5 0.3 3.1 3.3 10.5 22.8 .460 0.6 1.9 .313 6.4 7.9 .817
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 2002-031985-86
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
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
Purvis Short 64 37.9 25.5 2.0 3.2 5.1 3.7 1.4 0.3 2.9 3.6 9.9 20.5 .482 0.2 0.8 .306 5.5 6.3 .865
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 2003-041986-87
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesGolden State Warriors
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 FinalsWarriors 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 %
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
Purvis Short 34 27.9 18.3 1.6 2.4 4.0 2.5 1.3 0.2 2.0 3.0 7.1 14.7 .479 0.1 0.5 .235 4.0 4.7 .856
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
Purvis Short 10 25.3 14.6 1.2 2.1 3.3 2.7 1.2 0.2 2.1 3.4 5.7 12.3 .463 0.0 0.2 .000 3.2 3.6 .889

Season 10

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 2004-051987-88
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
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
Purvis Short 81 24.1 14.3 0.9 1.9 2.7 2.0 0.7 0.2 1.5 2.4 5.9 12.2 .481 0.1 0.3 .238 2.5 3.0 .858
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short 4 17.8 5.5 1.0 1.3 2.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 1.0 2.0 1.8 6.5 .269 0.0 0.3 .000 2.0 2.0 1.000

Season 11

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 2005-061988-89
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
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
Purvis Short 65 17.8 7.4 1.0 1.8 2.8 1.6 0.7 0.2 1.1 1.8 3.0 7.4 .413 0.1 0.5 .273 1.2 1.4 .865
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short 4 9.3 4.8 1.5 0.8 2.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.8 2.0 5.3 .381 0.0 0.5 .000 0.8 1.3 .600

Season 12

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
Season 2006-071989-90
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesNew Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
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 %
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
Purvis Short 82 27.0 13.1 1.2 1.8 3.0 1.8 0.8 0.2 1.5 2.5 5.3 11.6 .455 0.1 0.4 .286 2.4 2.9 .835
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 19

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 20

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 21

Kevin Garnett Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Garnett ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------