Michael Cooper vs. Micheal Ray Richardson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Micheal Ray Richardson and Michael Cooper, 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.

Michael Cooper played 12 years in the NBA, 4 more than Micheal Ray Richardson, who played 8. Michael Cooper had the first of his seasons in 1978-79, while Micheal Ray Richardson 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
Michael Cooper 12 11 1978-79 to 1989-90
Micheal Ray Richardson 8 4 1978-79 to 1985-86

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1978-791978-79
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
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 %
Michael Cooper 3 2.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 1.0 2.0 .500 - - - 0.0 0.0 -
Micheal Ray Richardson 72 16.9 6.5 1.1 2.2 3.2 3.0 1.4 0.3 2.0 2.6 2.8 6.7 .414 - - - 1.0 1.8 .539
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper ------- --- ----------
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------

Season 2
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1979-801979-80
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Michael Cooper 82 24.1 8.8 1.2 1.6 2.8 2.7 1.0 0.5 1.7 2.6 3.7 7.0 .524 0.1 0.2 .250 1.4 1.7 .776
Micheal Ray Richardson 82 37.3 15.3 1.8 4.7 6.6 10.1 3.2 0.4 4.4 3.2 6.1 13.0 .472 0.3 1.3 .245 2.7 4.1 .660
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 16 29.0 9.1 1.8 1.9 3.7 3.6 1.5 0.7 1.8 3.4 3.6 8.8 .407 0.0 0.1 .000 1.9 2.3 .861
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------

Season 3
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1980-811980-81
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdKnicks 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 %
Michael Cooper 81 32.4 9.4 1.5 2.7 4.1 4.1 1.6 1.0 2.0 3.1 4.0 8.1 .491 0.0 0.2 .211 1.4 1.8 .785
Micheal Ray Richardson 79 40.2 16.4 2.2 4.7 6.9 7.9 2.9 0.4 3.8 3.3 6.6 14.1 .469 0.3 1.3 .225 2.8 4.3 .663
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 3 34.0 10.7 0.7 2.7 3.3 2.3 2.0 0.0 2.3 2.3 3.7 6.7 .550 0.0 1.0 .000 3.3 4.7 .714
Micheal Ray Richardson 2 43.0 11.5 3.0 6.5 9.5 5.5 3.5 0.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 16.5 .242 0.0 2.0 .000 3.5 6.0 .583

Season 4
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1981-821981-82
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Michael Cooper 76 28.9 11.9 1.1 2.4 3.5 3.0 1.6 0.8 2.0 2.8 5.0 9.8 .517 0.0 0.2 .118 1.8 2.3 .813
Micheal Ray Richardson 82 37.1 17.9 2.2 4.7 6.9 7.0 2.6 0.5 3.5 3.9 7.5 16.4 .461 0.2 1.2 .188 2.6 3.7 .700
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 14 27.4 11.9 1.4 3.0 4.4 4.4 1.7 0.8 2.1 3.4 5.0 8.9 .565 0.1 0.1 .500 1.8 2.4 .735
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------

Season 5
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1982-831982-83
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
-Achievement Steals Leader
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNets 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 26.2 7.8 1.0 2.3 3.3 3.8 1.4 0.6 1.6 2.5 3.2 6.1 .535 0.1 0.3 .238 1.2 1.6 .785
Micheal Ray Richardson 64 32.4 12.6 1.8 2.8 4.6 6.8 2.8 0.4 3.8 3.8 5.4 12.7 .425 0.1 0.8 .157 1.7 2.5 .650
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 15 30.2 9.4 0.8 3.1 3.9 2.9 1.7 0.4 1.3 3.6 3.5 7.6 .465 0.1 0.5 .143 2.3 2.7 .829
Micheal Ray Richardson 2 29.0 9.5 1.0 3.0 4.0 2.5 2.5 0.0 2.0 1.5 4.0 10.5 .381 0.0 0.5 .000 1.5 2.5 .600

Season 6
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1983-841983-84
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsNets 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 29.1 9.0 0.6 2.5 3.2 5.9 1.4 0.8 1.8 3.3 3.3 6.7 .497 0.5 1.5 .314 1.9 2.3 .838
Micheal Ray Richardson 48 26.8 12.0 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.5 2.1 0.4 2.5 3.3 5.1 11.0 .460 0.3 1.2 .241 1.6 2.3 .704
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 21 34.4 11.3 1.0 3.0 3.9 5.7 1.1 1.0 1.4 3.8 4.2 9.1 .461 0.6 1.7 .333 2.4 3.0 .806
Micheal Ray Richardson 11 40.3 16.8 1.8 3.1 4.9 7.2 3.1 0.4 2.7 3.6 6.3 15.4 .408 0.5 2.0 .273 3.7 5.1 .732

Season 7
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1984-851984-85
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionNets 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 26.7 8.6 0.7 2.4 3.1 5.2 1.1 0.6 1.9 2.5 3.4 7.2 .465 0.4 1.5 .285 1.4 1.6 .865
Micheal Ray Richardson 82 38.1 20.1 1.9 3.7 5.6 8.2 3.0 0.3 3.0 3.4 8.4 17.9 .469 0.4 1.4 .252 2.9 3.8 .767
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 19 26.4 10.4 0.6 3.4 4.0 4.9 1.1 0.5 1.9 2.4 3.7 6.6 .563 0.4 1.4 .308 2.5 2.7 .923
Micheal Ray Richardson 3 41.7 18.3 1.3 4.7 6.0 11.3 1.3 0.0 2.7 4.0 7.7 19.0 .404 0.0 0.7 .000 3.0 4.7 .643

Season 8
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1985-861985-86
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West 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 %
Michael Cooper 82 27.7 9.2 0.5 2.4 3.0 5.7 1.1 0.5 1.8 2.9 3.3 7.4 .452 0.8 2.0 .387 1.8 2.1 .865
Micheal Ray Richardson 47 34.1 15.7 1.6 3.7 5.3 7.2 2.7 0.2 3.2 3.5 6.3 14.1 .448 0.1 0.6 .148 3.0 3.8 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 14 30.1 9.7 1.1 2.1 3.3 4.9 1.3 0.3 1.5 1.7 3.9 8.2 .470 1.4 2.9 .463 0.6 0.8 .818
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------

Season 9
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1986-87-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Defensive Player of the Year-
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 %
Michael Cooper 82 27.5 10.5 0.7 2.4 3.1 4.5 1.0 0.5 1.2 2.4 3.9 9.0 .438 1.1 2.8 .385 1.5 1.8 .851
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 18 29.0 13.0 0.4 2.8 3.3 5.0 1.4 0.8 2.1 2.6 4.3 8.8 .484 1.9 3.9 .486 2.6 3.0 .852
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------

Season 10
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1987-88-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
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 %
Michael Cooper 61 29.4 8.7 0.8 2.9 3.7 4.7 1.1 0.4 1.7 2.2 3.1 7.9 .392 0.9 2.9 .320 1.6 1.9 .858
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 24 24.5 6.4 0.6 1.8 2.4 2.8 0.8 0.4 0.9 2.4 2.3 5.5 .412 1.0 2.6 .403 0.8 1.1 .741
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------

Season 11
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1988-89-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA Finals-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 80 24.3 7.3 0.4 2.0 2.4 3.9 0.9 0.4 1.2 2.3 2.7 6.2 .431 1.0 2.6 .381 1.0 1.2 .871
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 15 27.6 7.7 0.6 2.1 2.7 4.7 0.6 0.5 1.1 2.5 2.5 5.9 .416 1.4 3.7 .382 1.3 1.6 .833
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------

Season 12
Michael Cooper Micheal Ray Richardson
Season 1989-90-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Michael Cooper 80 23.1 6.4 0.7 2.1 2.8 2.7 0.8 0.5 1.1 2.6 2.4 6.2 .387 0.6 2.0 .318 1.0 1.2 .883
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Michael Cooper 9 19.2 2.6 1.2 1.4 2.7 2.8 0.8 0.4 0.8 2.3 1.1 3.9 .286 0.3 1.3 .250 0.0 0.0 -
Micheal Ray Richardson ------- --- ----------
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