Mel Counts vs. Steve Kerr Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Steve Kerr and Mel Counts, 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.

Mel Counts played 12 years in the NBA, 3 less than Steve Kerr, who played 15. Mel Counts had the first of his seasons in 1964-65, while Steve Kerr had his rookie season in 1988-89. 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
Mel Counts 12 8 1964-65 to 1975-76
Steve Kerr 15 11 1988-89 to 2002-03

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15

Rookie Season

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1964-651988-89
Team Boston CelticsPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 54 10.6 4.8 - - 4.9 0.4 - - - 2.5 1.9 5.0 .368 - - - 1.1 1.4 .784
Steve Kerr 26 6.0 2.1 0.1 0.5 0.7 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.8 1.8 .435 0.3 0.7 .471 0.2 0.3 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 4 7.5 2.3 - - 2.8 0.3 - - - 2.5 1.0 3.8 .267 - - - 0.3 0.3 1.000
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1965-661989-90
Team Boston CelticsCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionCavaliers 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 %
Mel Counts 67 15.2 8.4 - - 6.4 0.7 - - - 3.1 3.3 8.2 .403 - - - 1.8 2.2 .828
Steve Kerr 78 21.3 6.7 0.2 1.1 1.3 3.2 0.6 0.1 0.9 0.8 2.5 5.5 .444 0.9 1.8 .507 0.8 0.9 .863
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 10 8.2 4.3 - - 4.0 0.3 - - - 2.6 1.4 3.9 .359 - - - 1.5 1.7 .882
Steve Kerr 5 14.6 1.6 0.2 1.0 1.2 2.0 0.8 0.0 0.4 1.2 0.8 2.8 .286 0.0 0.6 .000 0.0 0.0 -

Season 3

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1966-671990-91
Team Baltimore Bullets, Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Div SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 56 15.4 7.6 - - 6.1 0.9 - - - 3.3 3.2 7.5 .422 - - - 1.2 1.7 .734
Steve Kerr 57 15.9 4.8 0.1 0.6 0.6 2.3 0.5 0.1 0.7 0.9 1.7 3.9 .444 0.5 1.1 .452 0.8 0.9 .849
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 3 9.7 4.7 - - 2.7 0.0 - - - 2.0 1.7 6.3 .263 - - - 1.3 1.3 1.000
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1967-681991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsCavaliers 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 %
Mel Counts 82 21.2 11.7 - - 8.9 1.7 - - - 3.8 4.7 9.9 .475 - - - 2.3 3.1 .748
Steve Kerr 48 17.6 6.6 0.3 1.3 1.6 2.3 0.6 0.2 0.6 0.6 2.5 4.9 .511 0.7 1.5 .432 0.9 1.1 .833
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 15 20.4 8.6 - - 8.9 1.6 - - - 3.5 3.6 6.7 .535 - - - 1.4 2.1 .677
Steve Kerr 12 12.4 3.7 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.3 1.0 1.5 3.4 .439 0.3 0.9 .273 0.4 0.4 1.000

Season 5

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1968-691992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Mel Counts 77 24.2 12.4 - - 7.8 1.4 - - - 2.9 5.1 11.3 .450 - - - 2.3 2.9 .805
Steve Kerr 52 9.3 2.6 0.1 0.8 0.9 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.7 1.0 2.3 .434 0.1 0.5 .231 0.4 0.5 .917
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 18 24.6 11.2 - - 7.9 1.4 - - - 3.7 4.1 10.7 .385 - - - 3.0 3.9 .761
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1969-701993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsBulls 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 %
Mel Counts 81 27.1 12.6 - - 8.4 2.0 - - - 3.8 5.4 12.6 .427 - - - 1.9 2.5 .776
Steve Kerr 82 24.8 8.6 0.3 1.3 1.6 2.6 0.9 0.0 0.7 1.2 3.5 7.0 .497 0.6 1.5 .419 1.0 1.2 .856
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 14 15.1 6.1 - - 5.3 1.1 - - - 3.4 2.6 6.3 .420 - - - 0.8 0.9 .846
Steve Kerr 10 18.6 3.5 0.2 1.2 1.4 1.0 0.7 0.0 0.1 1.3 1.3 3.6 .361 0.6 1.6 .375 0.3 0.3 1.000

Season 7

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1970-711994-95
Team Phoenix SunsChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBulls 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 %
Mel Counts 80 20.9 11.0 - - 6.3 1.7 - - - 3.5 4.6 10.0 .457 - - - 1.9 2.5 .753
Steve Kerr 82 22.4 8.2 0.2 1.2 1.5 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.6 1.4 3.2 6.0 .527 1.1 2.1 .524 0.8 1.0 .778
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 10 19.3 5.1 0.1 0.5 0.6 1.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.4 1.9 4.0 .475 0.8 1.9 .421 0.5 0.5 1.000

Season 8

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1971-721995-96
Team Phoenix SunsChicago Bulls
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 %
Mel Counts 76 11.9 5.2 - - 3.4 1.3 - - - 2.1 1.9 4.5 .427 - - - 1.3 1.8 .721
Steve Kerr 82 23.4 8.4 0.3 1.0 1.3 2.3 0.8 0.0 0.5 1.3 3.0 5.9 .506 1.5 2.9 .515 1.0 1.0 .929
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 18 19.8 6.8 0.2 0.8 1.0 1.7 0.8 0.0 0.7 1.2 2.2 4.8 .448 0.9 2.9 .321 1.5 1.7 .871

Season 9

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1972-731996-97
Team Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 66 10.0 4.6 - - 3.8 1.0 - - - 1.6 2.0 4.5 .449 - - - 0.6 0.9 .672
Steve Kerr 82 22.7 8.1 0.4 1.2 1.6 2.1 0.8 0.0 0.5 1.2 3.0 5.7 .533 1.3 2.9 .464 0.7 0.8 .806
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 17 19.2 9.1 - - 6.1 1.6 - - - 3.0 3.6 7.8 .459 - - - 1.9 2.4 .780
Steve Kerr 19 17.9 5.0 0.2 0.7 0.9 1.1 0.9 0.1 0.4 1.3 1.7 4.1 .429 0.8 2.2 .381 0.7 0.7 .929

Season 10

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1973-741997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 45 11.1 3.2 1.2 2.0 3.2 1.2 0.4 0.5 - 1.9 1.4 3.7 .365 - - - 0.5 0.7 .727
Steve Kerr 50 22.4 7.5 0.3 1.3 1.5 1.9 0.5 0.1 0.5 1.4 2.7 6.0 .454 1.1 2.6 .438 0.9 1.0 .918
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts 4 8.5 3.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 - 0.8 1.5 3.0 .500 - - - 0.0 0.0 -
Steve Kerr 21 19.8 4.9 0.4 0.4 0.8 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.2 1.2 1.6 3.6 .434 0.9 2.0 .463 0.9 1.0 .818

Season 11

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1974-751998-99
Team New Orleans JazzSan Antonio Spurs
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 %
Mel Counts 75 18.9 6.9 1.4 4.5 5.9 2.4 0.7 0.6 - 2.6 2.9 6.6 .438 - - - 1.1 1.5 .761
Steve Kerr 44 16.7 4.4 0.1 0.9 1.0 1.1 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.6 1.5 4.0 .391 0.6 1.8 .313 0.7 0.8 .886
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 11 8.7 2.2 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.7 2.7 .267 0.3 1.2 .231 0.5 0.5 .833

Season 12

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season 1975-761999-00
Team New Orleans JazzSan Antonio Spurs
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 %
Mel Counts 30 10.6 3.0 0.9 2.4 3.3 1.3 0.5 0.3 - 2.5 1.2 3.0 .407 - - - 0.5 0.7 .762
Steve Kerr 32 8.4 2.8 0.1 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.4 1.0 2.3 .432 0.5 1.0 .516 0.3 0.3 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season -2000-01
Team -San Antonio Spurs
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Spurs 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 %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 55 11.8 3.3 0.1 0.5 0.6 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.5 1.2 2.9 .421 0.6 1.4 .429 0.3 0.3 .933
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 9 11.1 3.3 0.3 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.9 1.3 2.8 .480 0.6 1.7 .333 0.1 0.2 .500

Season 14

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season -2001-02
Team -Portland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Trail Blazers 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 %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 65 11.9 4.1 0.1 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.6 3.3 .470 0.4 1.0 .394 0.6 0.6 .975
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 3 13.0 6.3 0.0 1.3 1.3 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 2.0 2.0 4.7 .429 0.7 2.7 .250 1.7 1.7 1.000

Season 15

Mel Counts Steve Kerr
Season -2002-03
Team -San Antonio Spurs
Honors & Awards
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 %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 75 12.7 4.0 0.2 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.7 1.5 3.4 .430 0.7 1.7 .395 0.4 0.5 .882
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mel Counts ------- --- ----------
Steve Kerr 10 4.5 2.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.7 1.1 .636 0.5 0.6 .833 0.3 0.4 .750