Shawn Kemp vs. Steve Nash Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Steve Nash and Shawn Kemp, 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 / Games against each other

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.

Shawn Kemp played 14 years in the NBA, 4 less than Steve Nash, who played 18. Shawn Kemp had the first of his seasons in 1989-90, while Steve Nash had his rookie season in 1996-97. 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
Shawn Kemp 14 10 1989-90 to 2002-03
Steve Nash 18 12 1996-97 to 2013-14

Comparison Season by Season

Rookie Season

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1989-901996-97
Team Seattle SupersonicsPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns 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 %
Shawn Kemp 81 13.8 6.5 1.8 2.5 4.3 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.3 2.5 2.5 5.2 .479 0.0 0.1 .167 1.4 2.0 .736
Steve Nash 65 10.5 3.3 0.2 0.7 1.0 2.1 0.3 0.0 1.0 1.4 1.1 2.7 .423 0.4 0.8 .418 0.6 0.8 .824
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 4 3.8 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 1.3 0.5 2.3 .222 0.3 1.0 .250 0.0 0.0 -

Season 2

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1990-911997-98
Team Seattle SupersonicsPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Shawn Kemp 81 30.1 15.0 3.3 5.1 8.4 1.8 1.0 1.5 2.5 3.9 5.7 11.2 .508 0.0 0.1 .167 3.6 5.4 .661
Steve Nash 76 21.9 9.1 0.4 1.7 2.1 3.4 0.8 0.1 1.3 1.9 3.5 7.7 .459 1.1 2.6 .415 1.0 1.1 .860
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 5 29.8 13.2 2.6 4.6 7.2 1.2 0.6 0.8 3.2 4.0 4.4 11.4 .386 0.0 0.2 .000 4.4 5.4 .815
Steve Nash 4 12.8 5.5 0.5 2.0 2.5 1.8 0.5 0.0 0.8 1.8 2.0 4.5 .444 0.3 1.3 .200 1.3 2.0 .625

Season 3

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1991-921998-99
Team Seattle SupersonicsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 64 28.3 15.5 4.1 6.3 10.4 1.3 1.1 1.9 2.4 4.1 5.7 11.2 .504 0.0 0.0 .000 4.2 5.6 .748
Steve Nash 40 31.7 7.9 0.8 2.1 2.9 5.5 0.9 0.1 2.1 2.5 2.9 7.9 .363 1.2 3.3 .374 1.0 1.2 .826
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 9 37.6 17.4 5.2 7.0 12.2 0.4 0.6 1.6 3.0 4.6 5.3 11.2 .475 0.0 0.0 - 6.8 8.9 .763
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1992-931999-00
Team Seattle SupersonicsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Supersonics 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 %
Shawn Kemp 78 33.1 17.8 3.7 7.0 10.7 2.0 1.5 1.9 2.8 4.2 6.6 13.4 .492 0.0 0.1 .000 4.6 6.4 .712
Steve Nash 56 27.4 8.6 0.6 1.6 2.2 4.9 0.7 0.1 1.8 2.2 3.1 6.5 .477 1.1 2.7 .403 1.3 1.5 .882
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 19 34.9 16.5 4.2 5.8 10.0 2.6 1.5 2.1 2.8 4.1 5.8 11.3 .512 0.0 0.0 - 4.9 6.1 .809
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 5

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1993-942000-01
Team Seattle SupersonicsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf 1st RdMavericks 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 %
Shawn Kemp 79 32.9 18.1 3.9 6.8 10.8 2.6 1.8 2.1 3.3 3.9 6.7 12.5 .538 0.0 0.1 .250 4.6 6.2 .741
Steve Nash 70 34.1 15.6 0.7 2.5 3.2 7.3 1.0 0.1 2.9 2.3 5.5 11.3 .487 1.3 3.1 .406 3.3 3.7 .895
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 5 41.2 14.8 4.0 5.8 9.8 3.4 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.6 5.2 14.0 .371 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 6.6 .667
Steve Nash 10 37.0 13.6 0.6 2.6 3.2 6.4 0.6 0.1 2.5 1.9 4.5 10.8 .417 1.6 3.9 .410 3.0 3.4 .882

Season 6

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1994-952001-02
Team Seattle SupersonicsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf 1st RdMavericks 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 %
Shawn Kemp 82 32.7 18.7 3.9 7.0 10.9 1.8 1.2 1.5 3.2 4.1 6.6 12.2 .547 0.0 0.1 .286 5.3 7.1 .749
Steve Nash 82 34.6 17.9 0.6 2.5 3.1 7.7 0.6 0.0 2.8 2.0 6.4 13.3 .483 1.9 4.2 .455 3.2 3.6 .887
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 4 40.0 24.8 4.3 7.8 12.0 2.8 2.0 1.8 3.8 4.3 8.3 14.3 .579 0.3 0.3 1.000 8.0 9.8 .821
Steve Nash 8 40.5 19.5 0.9 3.1 4.0 8.8 0.5 0.0 3.8 2.5 6.4 14.8 .432 2.5 5.6 .444 4.3 4.4 .971

Season 7

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1995-962002-03
Team Seattle SupersonicsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Supersonics Lost NBA FinalsMavericks 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 %
Shawn Kemp 79 33.3 19.6 3.5 7.9 11.4 2.2 1.2 1.6 4.0 3.8 6.7 11.9 .561 0.1 0.2 .417 6.2 8.4 .742
Steve Nash 82 33.1 17.7 0.8 2.1 2.9 7.3 1.0 0.1 2.3 1.6 6.3 13.6 .465 1.4 3.3 .413 3.8 4.1 .909
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 20 36.0 20.9 3.3 7.1 10.4 1.5 1.2 2.0 4.0 4.2 7.4 12.9 .570 0.0 0.2 .000 6.2 7.8 .795
Steve Nash 20 36.4 16.1 0.8 2.8 3.5 7.3 0.9 0.1 2.6 2.4 5.8 12.9 .447 1.9 3.8 .487 2.8 3.2 .873

Season 8

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1996-972003-04
Team Seattle SupersonicsDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf SemisMavericks 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 %
Shawn Kemp 81 34.0 18.7 3.4 6.6 10.0 1.9 1.5 1.0 3.5 4.0 6.5 12.7 .510 0.1 0.4 .364 5.6 7.5 .742
Steve Nash 78 33.5 14.5 0.8 2.2 3.0 8.8 0.9 0.1 2.7 1.8 5.1 10.8 .470 1.3 3.3 .405 2.9 3.2 .916
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 12 36.8 21.6 4.3 8.0 12.3 3.0 1.2 1.3 3.9 4.6 7.1 14.6 .486 0.2 0.8 .200 7.3 8.8 .829
Steve Nash 5 39.2 13.6 1.2 4.0 5.2 9.0 0.8 0.0 2.4 2.8 5.4 14.0 .386 1.2 3.2 .375 1.6 1.8 .889

Season 9

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1997-982004-05
Team Cleveland CavaliersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Shawn Kemp 80 34.6 18.0 2.7 6.6 9.3 2.5 1.4 1.1 3.4 3.9 6.5 14.6 .445 0.0 0.1 .250 5.1 7.0 .727
Steve Nash 75 34.3 15.5 0.8 2.6 3.3 11.5 1.0 0.1 3.3 1.8 5.7 11.4 .502 1.3 2.9 .431 2.8 3.2 .887
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 4 38.0 26.0 4.0 6.3 10.3 2.0 1.3 1.0 4.0 3.0 8.3 17.8 .465 0.0 0.0 - 9.5 11.3 .844
Steve Nash 15 40.7 23.9 0.6 4.2 4.8 11.3 0.9 0.2 4.7 2.4 9.3 17.9 .520 1.4 3.6 .389 3.8 4.1 .919

Season 10

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1998-992005-06
Team Cleveland CavaliersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns 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 %
Shawn Kemp 42 35.1 20.5 3.1 6.1 9.2 2.4 1.1 1.1 3.0 3.8 6.6 13.7 .482 0.0 0.0 .500 7.3 9.3 .789
Steve Nash 79 35.4 18.8 0.6 3.6 4.2 10.5 0.8 0.2 3.5 1.5 6.8 13.4 .512 1.9 4.3 .439 3.3 3.5 .921
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 20 39.9 20.4 0.5 3.2 3.7 10.2 0.4 0.3 3.4 1.9 7.3 14.6 .502 1.6 4.4 .368 4.2 4.6 .912

Season 11

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 1999-002006-07
Team Cleveland CavaliersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns 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 %
Shawn Kemp 82 30.4 17.8 2.8 6.0 8.8 1.7 1.2 1.2 3.5 4.5 5.9 14.1 .417 0.0 0.1 .333 6.0 7.7 .776
Steve Nash 76 35.3 18.6 0.4 3.1 3.5 11.6 0.8 0.1 3.8 1.5 6.8 12.8 .532 2.1 4.5 .455 2.9 3.3 .899
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 11 37.5 18.9 0.4 2.8 3.2 13.3 0.4 0.1 4.4 1.9 6.7 14.5 .463 1.7 3.5 .487 3.7 4.2 .891

Season 12

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 2000-012007-08
Team Portland Trail BlazersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlaySuns 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 %
Shawn Kemp 68 15.9 6.5 0.9 2.9 3.8 1.0 0.7 0.3 1.5 2.7 2.5 6.1 .407 0.1 0.2 .364 1.5 1.9 .771
Steve Nash 81 34.3 16.9 0.3 3.1 3.5 11.1 0.7 0.1 3.6 1.4 6.0 11.9 .504 2.2 4.7 .470 2.7 3.0 .906
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 5 36.6 16.2 0.2 2.6 2.8 7.8 0.4 0.2 2.4 2.0 6.4 14.0 .457 1.2 4.0 .300 2.2 2.4 .917

Season 13

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 2001-022008-09
Team Portland Trail BlazersPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Trail Blazers 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 %
Shawn Kemp 75 16.4 6.1 1.2 2.6 3.8 0.7 0.6 0.4 1.1 2.5 2.3 5.4 .430 0.0 0.1 .000 1.4 1.7 .794
Steve Nash 74 33.6 15.7 0.3 2.8 3.0 9.7 0.7 0.1 3.4 1.5 5.8 11.5 .503 1.5 3.3 .439 2.6 2.8 .933
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 3 12.0 3.7 0.7 2.0 2.7 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.7 2.7 0.7 2.3 .286 0.0 0.0 - 2.3 3.3 .700
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season 2002-032009-10
Team Orlando MagicPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Magic Lost East Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Shawn Kemp 79 20.7 6.8 1.9 3.8 5.7 0.7 0.8 0.4 1.3 3.0 2.7 6.4 .418 0.0 0.0 .000 1.5 2.0 .742
Steve Nash 81 32.8 16.5 0.4 2.9 3.3 11.0 0.5 0.1 3.6 1.3 6.2 12.2 .507 1.5 3.6 .426 2.6 2.8 .938
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp 7 10.4 3.0 0.1 2.0 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.9 1.1 3.0 .381 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 0.9 .833
Steve Nash 16 33.7 17.8 0.4 2.9 3.3 10.1 0.3 0.1 3.8 1.3 6.2 11.9 .518 1.2 3.1 .380 4.2 4.7 .893

Season 15

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season -2010-11
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement Assists Leader
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 %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 75 33.3 14.7 0.5 2.9 3.5 11.4 0.6 0.1 3.5 1.2 5.3 10.8 .492 1.1 2.7 .395 3.0 3.3 .912
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season -2011-12
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -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 %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 62 31.6 12.5 0.4 2.6 3.0 10.7 0.6 0.1 3.7 0.9 4.8 9.0 .532 0.9 2.3 .390 2.0 2.3 .894
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season -2012-13
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Lakers 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 %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 50 32.5 12.7 0.5 2.3 2.8 6.7 0.6 0.1 2.5 1.4 4.7 9.5 .497 1.1 2.6 .438 2.1 2.3 .922
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 2 30.5 12.5 1.0 1.5 2.5 4.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 1.0 5.0 11.5 .435 0.0 1.5 .000 2.5 2.5 1.000

Season 18

Shawn Kemp Steve Nash
Season -2013-14
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
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 %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash 15 20.9 6.8 0.3 1.7 1.9 5.7 0.5 0.1 2.1 1.2 2.4 6.3 .383 0.5 1.6 .333 1.5 1.6 .917
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Shawn Kemp ------- --- ----------
Steve Nash ------- --- ----------