Taj Gibson vs. Hakeem Olajuwon Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Hakeem Olajuwon and Taj Gibson, 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.

Taj Gibson played 15 years in the NBA, 3 less than Hakeem Olajuwon, who played 18. Taj Gibson had the first of his seasons in 2009-10, while Hakeem Olajuwon had his rookie season in 1984-85. 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
Taj Gibson 15 9 2009-10 to 2023-24
Hakeem Olajuwon 18 15 1984-85 to 2001-02

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18

Rookie Season

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2009-101984-85
Team Chicago BullsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 82 26.9 9.0 2.8 4.7 7.5 0.9 0.6 1.3 1.4 3.4 3.8 7.7 .494 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 2.1 .646
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 35.5 20.6 5.4 6.5 11.9 1.4 1.2 2.7 2.9 4.2 8.3 15.3 .538 0.0 0.0 - 4.1 6.7 .613
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 5 29.0 7.6 1.8 5.2 7.0 0.6 0.2 0.6 0.4 3.4 3.2 7.6 .421 0.0 0.0 - 1.2 2.2 .545
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 37.4 21.2 6.6 6.4 13.0 1.4 1.4 2.6 2.2 4.4 8.4 17.6 .477 0.0 0.0 - 4.4 9.2 .478

Season 2

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2010-111985-86
Team Chicago BullsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf FinalsRockets Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 80 21.8 7.1 2.0 3.7 5.7 0.7 0.5 1.3 0.9 2.5 2.9 6.3 .466 0.0 0.1 .125 1.3 1.9 .676
Hakeem Olajuwon 68 36.3 23.5 4.9 6.6 11.5 2.0 2.0 3.4 2.9 4.0 9.2 17.5 .526 0.0 0.0 - 5.1 7.9 .645
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 16 17.8 5.9 1.6 2.5 4.1 0.6 0.3 1.4 0.9 2.0 2.7 4.8 .566 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 0.9 .600
Hakeem Olajuwon 20 38.3 26.9 5.1 6.8 11.8 2.0 2.0 3.5 2.2 4.4 10.3 19.4 .530 0.0 0.1 .000 6.4 10.0 .638

Season 3

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2011-121986-87
Team Chicago BullsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 63 20.4 7.7 2.1 3.1 5.3 0.7 0.4 1.3 1.0 2.1 3.2 6.4 .495 0.0 0.0 - 1.3 2.1 .622
Hakeem Olajuwon 75 36.8 23.4 4.2 7.2 11.4 2.9 1.9 3.4 3.0 3.9 9.0 17.8 .508 0.0 0.1 .200 5.3 7.6 .702
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 6 22.8 9.5 2.5 4.0 6.5 0.7 0.7 1.7 0.5 3.2 3.5 7.7 .457 0.0 0.0 - 2.5 3.7 .682
Hakeem Olajuwon 10 38.9 29.2 3.9 7.4 11.3 2.5 1.3 4.3 3.6 4.4 11.0 17.9 .615 0.0 0.1 .000 7.2 9.7 .742

Season 4

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2012-131987-88
Team Chicago BullsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 65 22.4 8.0 1.9 3.4 5.3 0.9 0.4 1.4 1.2 2.6 3.3 6.8 .485 0.0 0.1 .000 1.4 2.0 .679
Hakeem Olajuwon 79 35.8 22.8 3.8 8.3 12.1 2.1 2.1 2.7 3.1 4.1 9.0 17.5 .514 0.0 0.1 .000 4.8 6.9 .695
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 12 17.2 6.5 1.3 1.8 3.0 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.8 3.1 2.6 5.5 .470 0.0 0.2 .000 1.3 1.8 .727
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 37.5 5.0 11.8 16.8 1.8 2.3 2.8 2.3 3.5 14.0 24.5 .571 0.0 0.3 .000 9.5 10.8 .884

Season 5

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2013-141988-89
Team Chicago BullsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 82 28.7 13.0 2.4 4.4 6.8 1.1 0.5 1.4 1.8 2.5 5.2 10.9 .479 0.0 0.1 .000 2.6 3.4 .751
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 36.9 24.8 4.1 9.4 13.5 1.8 2.6 3.4 3.4 4.0 9.6 19.0 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 5.5 8.0 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 5 30.8 18.2 4.2 2.0 6.2 0.4 0.4 2.4 1.6 2.4 6.4 11.4 .561 0.0 0.0 - 5.4 7.2 .750
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.5 25.3 3.5 9.5 13.0 3.0 2.5 2.8 2.5 4.3 10.5 20.3 .519 0.0 0.0 - 4.3 6.3 .680

Season 6

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2014-151989-90
Team Chicago BullsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement Blocks Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 62 27.3 10.3 2.6 3.8 6.4 1.1 0.6 1.2 1.2 2.6 4.1 8.2 .502 0.0 0.0 - 2.1 3.0 .717
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 38.1 24.3 3.6 10.4 14.0 2.9 2.1 4.6 3.9 3.8 9.8 19.6 .501 0.0 0.1 .167 4.7 6.5 .713
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 12 23.0 7.4 2.1 3.4 5.5 1.0 0.3 1.0 0.9 2.1 2.8 6.0 .472 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.5 .700
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 40.3 18.5 3.8 7.8 11.5 2.0 2.5 5.8 2.8 4.8 7.8 17.5 .443 0.0 0.0 - 3.0 4.3 .706

Season 7

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2015-161990-91
Team Chicago BullsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Blocks Leader
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 73 26.5 8.6 2.8 4.1 6.9 1.5 0.6 1.1 1.1 2.5 3.6 6.8 .526 0.0 0.0 .000 1.4 2.0 .692
Hakeem Olajuwon 56 36.8 21.2 3.9 9.8 13.8 2.3 2.2 3.9 3.1 3.9 8.7 17.1 .508 0.0 0.1 .000 3.8 4.9 .769
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 3 43.0 22.0 4.0 10.7 14.7 2.0 1.3 2.7 2.7 3.7 8.7 15.0 .578 0.0 0.3 .000 4.7 5.7 .824

Season 8

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2016-171991-92
Team Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City ThunderHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Thunder 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 %
Taj Gibson 78 25.5 10.8 2.0 4.2 6.2 0.9 0.5 0.8 1.3 2.1 4.7 9.1 .515 0.0 0.2 .231 1.4 2.0 .715
Hakeem Olajuwon 70 37.7 21.6 3.5 8.6 12.1 2.2 1.8 4.3 2.7 3.8 8.4 16.8 .502 0.0 0.0 .000 4.7 6.1 .766
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 5 23.6 9.8 0.6 3.0 3.6 0.6 0.2 0.0 1.6 2.6 4.2 7.0 .600 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 1.6 .875
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2017-181992-93
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Defensive Player of the Year
-Achievement Blocks Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 82 33.2 12.2 2.4 4.8 7.1 1.2 0.8 0.7 1.1 2.7 5.2 9.0 .577 0.1 0.4 .200 1.7 2.3 .768
Hakeem Olajuwon 82 39.5 26.1 3.5 9.6 13.0 3.5 1.8 4.2 3.2 3.7 10.3 19.5 .529 0.0 0.1 .000 5.4 7.0 .779
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 5 24.6 6.2 1.4 2.6 4.0 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.8 1.6 2.8 4.4 .636 0.0 0.0 - 0.6 0.6 1.000
Hakeem Olajuwon 12 43.2 25.7 4.3 9.7 14.0 4.8 1.8 4.9 3.8 3.1 10.3 19.8 .517 0.0 0.1 .000 5.2 6.3 .827

Season 10

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2018-191993-94
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Defensive Player of the Year
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Taj Gibson 70 24.1 10.8 2.5 4.1 6.5 1.2 0.8 0.6 1.0 2.7 4.3 7.7 .566 0.2 0.5 .324 1.9 2.5 .757
Hakeem Olajuwon 80 41.0 27.3 2.9 9.1 11.9 3.6 1.6 3.7 3.4 3.6 11.2 21.2 .528 0.1 0.2 .421 4.9 6.8 .716
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 23 43.0 28.9 2.4 8.7 11.0 4.3 1.7 4.0 3.6 3.6 11.6 22.3 .519 0.1 0.2 .500 5.6 7.0 .795

Season 11

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2019-201994-95
Team New York KnicksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Taj Gibson 62 16.5 6.1 1.8 2.5 4.3 0.8 0.4 0.5 0.8 2.0 2.7 4.6 .584 0.1 0.2 .286 0.7 0.9 .732
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 39.6 27.8 2.4 8.4 10.8 3.5 1.8 3.4 3.3 3.5 11.1 21.5 .517 0.0 0.2 .188 5.6 7.5 .756
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 22 42.2 33.0 2.0 8.3 10.3 4.5 1.2 2.8 3.1 4.3 13.9 26.2 .531 0.1 0.2 .500 5.0 7.4 .681

Season 12

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2020-211995-96
Team New York KnicksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Knicks Lost East Conf 1st RdRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 45 20.8 5.4 2.2 3.4 5.6 0.8 0.7 1.1 0.5 2.2 2.2 3.5 .627 0.1 0.3 .200 0.9 1.2 .727
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 38.8 26.9 2.4 8.4 10.9 3.6 1.6 2.9 3.4 3.4 10.7 20.8 .514 0.0 0.2 .214 5.5 7.6 .724
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson 5 27.6 5.0 3.2 3.8 7.0 0.8 1.6 1.0 0.6 2.6 2.4 4.0 .600 0.0 0.0 - 0.2 0.2 1.000
Hakeem Olajuwon 8 41.1 22.4 2.1 7.0 9.1 3.9 1.9 2.1 3.6 3.5 9.4 18.4 .510 0.0 0.1 .000 3.6 5.0 .725

Season 13

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2021-221996-97
Team New York KnicksHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 52 18.2 4.4 1.7 2.7 4.4 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.5 2.6 1.7 3.2 .518 0.3 0.7 .395 0.8 1.0 .808
Hakeem Olajuwon 78 36.6 23.2 2.2 7.0 9.2 3.0 1.5 2.2 3.6 3.2 9.3 18.3 .510 0.1 0.2 .313 4.5 5.7 .787
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 16 39.4 23.1 2.9 8.0 10.9 3.4 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.8 9.2 15.6 .590 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.5 .731

Season 14

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2022-231997-98
Team Washington WizardsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 49 9.8 3.4 0.7 1.2 1.9 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.5 1.7 1.3 2.6 .520 0.2 0.5 .333 0.6 0.9 .714
Hakeem Olajuwon 47 34.7 16.4 2.5 7.3 9.8 3.0 1.8 2.0 2.7 3.2 6.5 13.5 .483 0.0 0.1 .000 3.4 4.5 .755
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 38.0 20.4 1.8 9.0 10.8 2.4 1.0 3.2 2.6 3.6 7.8 19.8 .394 0.0 0.2 .000 4.8 6.6 .727

Season 15

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season 2023-241998-99
Team New York Knicks, Detroit PistonsHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayRockets 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 %
Taj Gibson 20 10.3 1.7 0.6 1.3 1.9 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.3 1.6 0.8 1.9 .405 0.1 0.5 .200 0.1 0.1 1.000
Hakeem Olajuwon 50 35.7 18.9 2.1 7.4 9.6 1.8 1.6 2.5 2.8 3.2 7.5 14.5 .514 0.1 0.3 .308 3.9 5.4 .717
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 4 31.0 13.3 1.3 6.0 7.3 0.5 1.3 0.8 1.3 4.5 5.8 13.5 .426 0.0 0.0 - 1.8 2.0 .875

Season 16

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -1999-00
Team -Houston Rockets
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 44 23.8 10.3 1.5 4.8 6.2 1.4 0.9 1.6 1.7 2.0 4.4 9.6 .458 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 2.5 .616
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -2000-01
Team -Houston Rockets
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 58 26.6 11.9 2.1 5.3 7.4 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.4 2.4 4.9 9.8 .498 0.0 0.0 .000 2.1 3.4 .621
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Taj Gibson Hakeem Olajuwon
Season -2001-02
Team -Toronto Raptors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Raptors 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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 61 22.6 7.1 1.6 4.4 6.0 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.6 2.4 3.2 6.9 .464 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.4 .560
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
Hakeem Olajuwon 5 17.2 5.6 1.8 2.0 3.8 0.4 1.4 0.8 1.2 1.8 2.4 4.4 .545 0.0 0.0 - 0.8 1.2 .667