Kevin Love vs. Nate Thurmond Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Nate Thurmond and Kevin Love, 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 Love played 16 years in the NBA, 2 more than Nate Thurmond, who played 14. Kevin Love had the first of his seasons in 2008-09, while Nate Thurmond had his rookie season in 1963-64. 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 Love 16 6 2008-09 to 2023-24
Nate Thurmond 14 9 1963-64 to 1976-77

Comparison Season by Season

Rookie Season

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2008-091963-64
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Achievement All-Rookie Second Team-
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 Love 81 25.3 11.1 3.4 5.7 9.1 1.0 0.4 0.6 1.5 2.5 3.9 8.5 .459 0.0 0.2 .105 3.3 4.1 .789
Nate Thurmond 76 25.9 7.0 - - 10.4 1.1 - - - 2.4 2.9 7.3 .395 - - - 1.3 2.3 .549
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 12 34.2 10.0 - - 12.3 0.8 - - - 3.8 3.5 8.0 .438 - - - 3.0 4.4 .679

Season 2

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2009-101964-65
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -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 Love 60 28.6 14.0 3.8 7.2 11.0 2.3 0.7 0.4 2.0 2.3 4.9 10.8 .450 0.6 1.8 .330 3.8 4.6 .815
Nate Thurmond 77 41.2 16.5 - - 18.1 2.0 - - - 3.0 6.7 16.1 .419 - - - 3.1 4.6 .658
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2010-111965-66
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement Most Improved Player-
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement 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 Love 73 35.8 20.2 4.5 10.7 15.2 2.5 0.6 0.4 2.1 2.0 6.6 14.1 .470 1.2 2.9 .417 5.8 6.8 .850
Nate Thurmond 73 39.6 16.3 - - 18.0 1.5 - - - 3.1 6.2 15.3 .406 - - - 3.8 5.9 .654
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2011-121966-67
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 Love 55 39.0 26.0 4.1 9.2 13.3 2.0 0.9 0.5 2.3 2.8 8.6 19.3 .448 1.9 5.1 .372 6.9 8.4 .824
Nate Thurmond 65 42.5 18.7 - - 21.3 2.6 - - - 2.8 7.2 16.4 .437 - - - 4.3 6.8 .629
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 15 46.0 15.9 - - 23.1 3.1 - - - 3.5 6.2 14.3 .433 - - - 3.5 6.1 .571

Season 5

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2012-131967-68
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -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 Love 18 34.3 18.3 3.6 10.4 14.0 2.3 0.7 0.5 2.2 1.9 5.8 16.6 .352 1.1 5.1 .217 5.6 7.9 .704
Nate Thurmond 51 43.6 20.5 - - 22.0 4.2 - - - 2.7 7.5 18.2 .411 - - - 5.5 8.6 .644
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2013-141968-69
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 77 36.3 26.1 2.9 9.6 12.5 4.4 0.8 0.5 2.5 1.8 8.4 18.5 .457 2.5 6.6 .376 6.8 8.2 .821
Nate Thurmond 71 45.2 21.5 - - 19.7 3.6 - - - 2.4 8.0 19.6 .410 - - - 5.4 8.7 .615
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 6 43.8 16.7 - - 19.5 4.7 - - - 3.0 6.7 17.0 .392 - - - 3.3 5.7 .588

Season 7

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2014-151969-70
Team Cleveland CavaliersSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 75 33.8 16.4 1.9 7.9 9.7 2.2 0.7 0.5 1.6 1.9 5.5 12.7 .434 1.9 5.2 .367 3.4 4.3 .804
Nate Thurmond 43 44.6 21.9 - - 17.7 3.5 - - - 2.6 7.9 19.2 .414 - - - 6.1 8.0 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 4 26.8 14.3 1.5 5.5 7.0 2.5 0.3 0.5 1.5 3.0 4.3 10.3 .415 2.3 5.3 .429 3.5 4.8 .737
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2015-161970-71
Team Cleveland CavaliersSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionWarriors 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 Love 77 31.5 16.0 1.9 8.0 9.9 2.4 0.8 0.5 1.8 2.1 5.3 12.7 .419 2.1 5.7 .360 3.4 4.1 .822
Nate Thurmond 82 40.9 20.0 - - 13.8 3.1 - - - 2.3 7.6 17.1 .445 - - - 4.8 6.6 .730
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 20 30.7 14.7 1.7 7.1 8.8 2.1 0.5 0.4 1.4 1.7 4.6 12.0 .385 2.3 5.6 .414 3.2 3.8 .840
Nate Thurmond 5 38.4 17.6 - - 10.2 3.0 - - - 4.0 7.2 19.4 .371 - - - 3.2 4.0 .800

Season 9

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2016-171971-72
Team Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost NBA 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 Love 60 31.4 19.0 2.5 8.6 11.1 1.9 0.9 0.4 2.0 2.1 6.2 14.5 .427 2.4 6.5 .373 4.3 4.9 .871
Nate Thurmond 78 43.1 21.4 - - 16.1 2.9 - - - 2.7 8.1 18.6 .432 - - - 5.3 7.2 .743
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 18 32.1 16.8 2.0 8.6 10.6 1.7 1.2 0.9 1.7 2.6 5.3 12.1 .436 2.8 6.2 .450 3.5 4.2 .840
Nate Thurmond 5 46.0 25.4 - - 17.8 5.2 - - - 2.4 10.6 24.4 .434 - - - 4.2 5.6 .750

Season 10

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2017-181972-73
Team Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost NBA FinalsWarriors 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 Love 59 28.0 17.6 1.7 7.5 9.3 1.7 0.7 0.4 1.5 2.0 5.7 12.4 .458 2.3 5.6 .415 4.0 4.5 .880
Nate Thurmond 79 43.3 17.1 - - 17.1 3.5 - - - 3.0 6.5 14.7 .446 - - - 4.0 5.6 .718
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 21 31.4 14.9 2.3 7.9 10.2 1.6 0.7 0.4 2.0 2.8 5.2 13.2 .392 1.7 5.0 .340 2.8 3.0 .922
Nate Thurmond 11 41.8 14.5 - - 13.2 3.6 - - - 2.7 5.8 14.6 .398 - - - 2.9 3.6 .800

Season 11

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2018-191973-74
Team Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-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 Love 22 27.2 17.0 1.5 9.4 10.9 2.2 0.3 0.2 1.9 2.5 5.0 12.9 .385 2.4 6.7 .361 4.7 5.2 .904
Nate Thurmond 62 39.7 13.0 4.0 10.1 14.2 2.7 0.7 2.9 - 2.9 5.0 11.2 .444 - - - 3.1 4.6 .666
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2019-201974-75
Team Cleveland CavaliersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBulls 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 Love 56 31.8 17.6 1.0 8.8 9.8 3.2 0.6 0.3 2.5 1.6 5.8 13.0 .450 2.6 7.0 .374 3.3 3.9 .854
Nate Thurmond 80 34.5 7.9 3.2 8.1 11.3 4.1 0.6 2.4 - 3.4 3.1 8.6 .364 - - - 1.7 2.8 .589
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 13 19.5 3.5 1.8 4.8 6.7 2.4 0.4 1.6 - 2.8 1.1 2.9 .368 - - - 1.4 2.8 .486

Season 13

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2020-211975-76
Team Cleveland CavaliersChicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCavaliers 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 Love 25 24.9 12.2 0.7 6.8 7.4 2.5 0.6 0.1 1.5 1.0 4.1 10.1 .409 2.3 6.2 .365 1.7 2.0 .824
Nate Thurmond 78 17.9 4.4 1.5 3.8 5.3 1.2 0.3 1.3 - 2.1 1.8 4.3 .421 - - - 0.8 1.6 .504
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 13 28.8 6.7 2.9 6.1 9.0 2.2 0.5 2.2 - 4.0 2.8 6.1 .468 - - - 1.0 2.5 .406

Season 14

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2021-221976-77
Team Cleveland CavaliersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCavaliers 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 Love 74 22.5 13.6 1.2 6.1 7.2 2.2 0.4 0.2 1.3 1.4 4.4 10.3 .430 2.5 6.4 .392 2.2 2.7 .838
Nate Thurmond 49 20.3 5.5 2.5 5.2 7.6 1.7 0.3 1.7 - 2.6 2.0 5.0 .407 - - - 1.4 2.2 .642
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - - - 0.0 0.0 -

Season 15

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2022-23-
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Heat 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 Love 62 20.0 8.2 1.0 5.5 6.4 1.9 0.3 0.2 1.1 1.6 2.7 6.8 .389 1.6 4.8 .334 1.3 1.5 .879
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 20 18.0 6.9 0.7 4.9 5.6 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.8 2.3 6.0 .378 1.7 4.4 .375 0.7 0.8 .875
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Kevin Love Nate Thurmond
Season 2023-24-
Team Miami Heat-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Heat 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 Love 55 16.8 8.8 1.1 5.1 6.1 2.1 0.3 0.2 0.9 1.8 2.9 6.5 .440 1.5 4.4 .344 1.5 2.0 .787
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kevin Love 5 6.4 1.8 0.2 2.6 2.8 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.8 1.8 .444 0.2 0.8 .250 0.0 0.0 -
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------