Mike Sanders vs. Nikola Vucevic Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Nikola Vucevic and Mike Sanders, 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.

Mike Sanders played 11 years in the NBA, 2 less than Nikola Vucevic, who played 13. Mike Sanders had the first of his seasons in 1982-83, while Nikola Vucevic had his rookie season in 2011-12. 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
Mike Sanders 11 9 1982-83 to 1992-93
Nikola Vucevic 13 4 2011-12 to 2023-24

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1982-832011-12
Team San Antonio SpursPhiladelphia 76ers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf Finals76ers 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 %
Mike Sanders 26 15.1 7.0 1.2 2.4 3.6 0.7 0.7 0.2 1.1 2.2 2.9 6.0 .484 0.0 0.1 .000 1.2 1.7 .721
Nikola Vucevic 51 15.9 5.5 1.7 3.1 4.8 0.6 0.4 0.7 0.6 2.2 2.6 5.7 .450 0.1 0.2 .375 0.4 0.7 .529
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 6 4.2 2.3 0.3 1.2 1.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.2 2.2 .538 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Nikola Vucevic 1 3.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 .000 0.0 0.0 - 1.0 2.0 .500

Season 2

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1983-842012-13
Team Phoenix SunsOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns 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 %
Mike Sanders 50 11.7 4.5 0.8 1.3 2.1 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.9 2.0 1.9 4.1 .478 0.0 0.0 - 0.6 0.8 .690
Nikola Vucevic 77 33.2 13.1 3.5 8.4 11.9 1.9 0.8 1.0 1.8 2.8 6.0 11.5 .519 0.0 0.0 .000 1.1 1.6 .683
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 15 10.1 4.0 0.7 0.7 1.3 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.9 2.1 1.5 3.1 .478 0.0 0.0 - 1.1 1.1 .941
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1984-852013-14
Team Phoenix SunsOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Suns 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 %
Mike Sanders 21 19.9 10.2 1.8 2.4 4.2 1.4 1.1 0.2 1.6 2.8 4.0 8.3 .486 0.0 0.0 - 2.1 2.8 .763
Nikola Vucevic 57 31.8 14.2 3.2 7.7 11.0 1.8 1.1 0.8 2.0 3.0 6.2 12.2 .507 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.4 .766
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 3 30.3 17.3 2.7 2.3 5.0 3.3 1.7 0.0 3.0 2.7 7.3 12.3 .595 0.0 0.0 - 2.7 3.3 .800
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1985-862014-15
Team Phoenix SunsOrlando Magic
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 %
Mike Sanders 82 20.0 11.0 1.3 2.1 3.3 1.8 0.9 0.4 1.7 2.9 4.2 8.2 .513 0.0 0.2 .200 2.5 3.1 .809
Nikola Vucevic 74 34.2 19.3 3.2 7.7 10.9 2.0 0.7 0.7 2.0 3.0 8.5 16.3 .523 0.0 0.1 .333 2.2 2.9 .752
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders ------- --- ----------
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 5

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1986-872015-16
Team Phoenix SunsOrlando Magic
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 %
Mike Sanders 82 20.2 10.5 1.2 2.1 3.3 1.5 0.7 0.3 1.3 2.6 4.4 8.8 .494 0.0 0.2 .118 1.7 2.2 .781
Nikola Vucevic 65 31.3 18.2 2.7 6.2 8.9 2.8 0.8 1.1 1.9 2.7 8.2 16.1 .510 0.0 0.1 .222 1.7 2.3 .753
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders ------- --- ----------
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1987-882016-17
Team Phoenix Suns, Cleveland CavaliersOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East 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 %
Mike Sanders 59 15.0 6.2 0.6 1.2 1.8 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.8 2.2 2.6 5.1 .505 0.0 0.0 .000 1.0 1.3 .776
Nikola Vucevic 75 28.8 14.6 2.3 8.0 10.4 2.8 1.0 1.0 1.6 2.4 6.4 13.7 .468 0.3 1.0 .307 1.4 2.1 .669
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 5 26.8 12.8 2.2 2.8 5.0 1.4 0.6 0.4 2.2 4.2 5.6 10.4 .538 0.0 0.2 .000 1.6 2.0 .800
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 7

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1988-892017-18
Team Cleveland CavaliersOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East 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 %
Mike Sanders 82 25.6 9.3 1.2 2.5 3.7 1.6 1.1 0.4 1.3 2.8 4.0 8.9 .453 0.0 0.1 .300 1.2 1.6 .719
Nikola Vucevic 57 29.5 16.5 1.8 7.4 9.2 3.4 1.0 1.1 1.9 2.5 7.0 14.7 .475 1.1 3.6 .314 1.4 1.6 .819
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 5 17.4 6.6 1.2 2.0 3.2 0.8 0.4 0.2 2.0 2.2 3.0 6.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 0.6 1.0 .600
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1989-902018-19
Team Indiana PacersOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pacers Lost East Conf 1st RdMagic 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 %
Mike Sanders 82 18.7 6.2 1.0 1.9 2.8 1.1 0.5 0.3 1.0 2.7 2.7 5.8 .470 0.1 0.2 .357 0.7 0.9 .733
Nikola Vucevic 80 31.4 20.8 2.8 9.2 12.0 3.8 1.0 1.1 2.0 2.0 8.8 16.9 .518 1.1 2.9 .364 2.2 2.8 .789
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 3 8.0 3.7 1.7 0.3 2.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.7 1.3 1.7 3.7 .455 0.3 0.3 1.000 0.0 0.0 -
Nikola Vucevic 5 29.4 11.2 1.8 6.2 8.0 3.0 0.4 1.0 2.6 2.4 4.2 11.6 .362 0.6 2.6 .231 2.2 2.8 .786

Season 9

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1990-912019-20
Team Indiana PacersOrlando Magic
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Pacers Lost East Conf 1st RdMagic 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 %
Mike Sanders 80 17.0 5.8 0.9 1.4 2.3 1.3 0.5 0.3 0.8 2.5 2.6 6.2 .417 0.1 0.3 .200 0.6 0.7 .825
Nikola Vucevic 62 32.2 19.6 2.3 8.6 10.9 3.6 0.9 0.8 1.4 2.2 8.0 16.7 .477 1.6 4.7 .339 2.1 2.7 .784
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 5 8.2 3.0 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.2 1.8 1.2 2.0 .600 0.2 0.4 .500 0.4 0.8 .500
Nikola Vucevic 5 37.0 28.0 1.8 9.2 11.0 4.0 0.8 0.6 2.6 2.6 11.2 22.2 .505 3.6 8.8 .409 2.0 2.2 .909

Season 10

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1991-922020-21
Team Indiana Pacers, Cleveland CavaliersOrlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East 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 %
Mike Sanders 31 20.4 7.1 0.9 2.2 3.1 1.7 0.8 0.3 0.7 2.7 3.0 5.2 .571 0.0 0.1 .333 1.2 1.5 .766
Nikola Vucevic 70 33.5 23.4 2.1 9.6 11.7 3.8 0.9 0.7 1.8 2.0 9.5 19.9 .477 2.5 6.3 .400 1.9 2.2 .840
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 17 24.6 7.6 1.2 2.1 3.2 2.2 0.9 0.7 1.4 3.6 3.3 6.8 .487 0.1 0.2 .333 1.0 1.2 .810
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season 1992-932021-22
Team Cleveland CavaliersChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East Conf SemisBulls 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 %
Mike Sanders 53 22.4 8.6 1.0 2.2 3.2 1.4 0.7 0.6 1.1 2.8 3.7 7.5 .497 0.0 0.1 .250 1.1 1.5 .756
Nikola Vucevic 73 33.1 17.6 1.9 9.1 11.0 3.2 1.0 1.0 1.9 2.5 7.5 15.8 .473 1.4 4.5 .314 1.3 1.7 .760
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders 8 18.1 5.8 1.0 1.3 2.3 1.3 1.0 0.1 0.4 2.1 2.5 6.0 .417 0.0 0.3 .000 0.8 1.3 .600
Nikola Vucevic 5 36.2 19.4 2.8 9.6 12.4 3.2 0.4 1.2 1.6 2.8 8.0 18.2 .440 2.6 8.4 .310 0.8 1.0 .800

Season 12

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season -2022-23
Team -Chicago Bulls
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 %
Mike Sanders ------- --- ----------
Nikola Vucevic 82 33.5 17.6 1.9 9.1 11.0 3.2 0.7 0.7 1.7 2.2 7.3 14.0 .520 1.5 4.2 .349 1.6 1.9 .835
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders ------- --- ----------
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Mike Sanders Nikola Vucevic
Season -2023-24
Team -Chicago Bulls
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 %
Mike Sanders ------- --- ----------
Nikola Vucevic 76 34.3 18.0 2.8 7.8 10.5 3.3 0.7 0.8 1.6 2.5 7.7 15.9 .484 1.2 4.1 .294 1.4 1.7 .822
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Mike Sanders ------- --- ----------
Nikola Vucevic ------- --- ----------