Kobe Bryant vs. John Starks Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of John Starks and Kobe Bryant, 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.

Kobe Bryant played 20 years in the NBA, 7 more than John Starks, who played 13. Kobe Bryant had the first of his seasons in 1996-97, while John Starks 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
Kobe Bryant 20 15 1996-97 to 2015-16
John Starks 13 9 1988-89 to 2001-02

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20

Rookie Season

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 1996-971988-89
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie Second Team-
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Kobe Bryant 71 15.5 7.6 0.7 1.2 1.9 1.3 0.7 0.3 1.6 1.4 2.5 5.9 .417 0.7 1.9 .375 1.9 2.3 .819
John Starks 36 8.8 4.1 0.4 0.7 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.1 1.1 1.0 1.4 3.5 .408 0.3 0.7 .385 0.9 1.4 .654
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 9 14.8 8.2 0.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 0.3 0.2 1.6 2.6 2.3 6.1 .382 0.7 2.6 .261 2.9 3.3 .867
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Note: John Starks didn't play in 1989-90.

Season 2

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 1997-981990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsKnicks 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 %
Kobe Bryant 79 26.0 15.4 1.0 2.1 3.1 2.5 0.9 0.5 2.0 2.3 4.9 11.6 .428 0.9 2.8 .341 4.6 5.8 .794
John Starks 61 19.2 7.6 0.5 1.7 2.1 3.3 1.0 0.3 1.2 2.2 3.0 6.7 .439 0.4 1.5 .290 1.3 1.7 .752
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 11 20.2 8.7 0.6 1.3 1.9 1.5 0.3 0.7 1.0 2.5 2.8 6.9 .408 0.3 1.3 .214 2.8 4.1 .689
John Starks 3 9.3 2.0 0.3 0.7 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.3 0.7 1.7 .400 0.0 0.0 - 0.7 0.7 1.000

Season 3

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 1998-991991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisKnicks 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 %
Kobe Bryant 50 37.9 19.9 1.1 4.2 5.3 3.8 1.4 1.0 3.1 3.1 7.2 15.6 .465 0.5 2.0 .267 4.9 5.8 .839
John Starks 82 25.8 13.9 0.5 1.8 2.3 3.4 1.3 0.2 1.8 2.8 4.9 11.0 .449 1.1 3.3 .348 2.9 3.7 .778
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 8 39.6 19.8 1.6 5.3 6.9 4.6 1.9 1.3 3.9 3.0 7.6 17.8 .430 1.0 2.9 .348 3.5 4.4 .800
John Starks 12 24.6 12.1 0.6 1.9 2.5 3.2 1.4 0.0 1.8 3.8 3.8 10.3 .374 0.9 3.8 .239 3.5 4.3 .808

Season 4

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 1999-001992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionKnicks 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 %
Kobe Bryant 66 38.2 22.5 1.6 4.7 6.3 4.9 1.6 0.9 2.8 3.3 8.4 17.9 .468 0.7 2.2 .319 5.0 6.1 .821
John Starks 80 31.0 17.5 0.7 1.9 2.6 5.1 1.1 0.2 2.2 2.9 6.4 15.0 .428 1.4 4.2 .321 3.3 4.1 .795
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 22 39.0 21.1 1.2 3.3 4.5 4.4 1.5 1.5 2.5 4.0 7.9 17.9 .442 1.0 2.9 .344 4.3 5.7 .754
John Starks 15 38.3 16.5 0.3 3.2 3.5 6.4 1.0 0.2 3.7 3.8 5.9 13.3 .440 1.9 5.0 .373 2.9 4.0 .717

Season 5

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2000-011993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionKnicks Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 68 40.9 28.5 1.5 4.3 5.9 5.0 1.7 0.6 3.2 3.3 10.3 22.2 .464 0.9 2.9 .305 7.0 8.2 .853
John Starks 59 34.9 19.0 0.6 2.5 3.1 5.9 1.6 0.1 3.1 3.2 6.9 16.6 .420 1.9 5.7 .335 3.2 4.2 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 16 43.4 29.4 1.8 5.4 7.3 6.1 1.6 0.8 3.2 3.3 10.5 22.4 .469 0.7 2.1 .324 7.8 9.4 .821
John Starks 25 33.6 14.6 0.4 2.0 2.3 4.6 1.4 0.1 2.3 3.4 4.4 11.6 .381 1.9 5.3 .356 3.9 5.0 .770

Season 6

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2001-021994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionKnicks 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 %
Kobe Bryant 80 38.3 25.2 1.4 4.1 5.5 5.5 1.5 0.4 2.8 2.9 9.4 20.0 .469 0.4 1.7 .250 6.1 7.4 .829
John Starks 80 34.1 15.3 0.4 2.3 2.7 5.1 1.2 0.1 2.0 3.2 5.2 13.3 .395 2.7 7.6 .355 2.1 2.9 .737
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 19 43.8 26.6 1.5 4.4 5.8 4.6 1.4 0.9 2.8 3.4 9.8 22.7 .434 1.2 3.1 .379 5.8 7.6 .759
John Starks 11 34.5 15.6 0.2 2.1 2.3 5.2 1.2 0.1 2.4 3.6 5.3 11.7 .450 2.7 6.6 .411 2.4 3.8 .619

Season 7

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2002-031995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisKnicks 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 %
Kobe Bryant 82 41.5 30.0 1.3 5.6 6.9 5.9 2.2 0.8 3.5 2.7 10.6 23.5 .451 1.5 4.0 .383 7.3 8.7 .843
John Starks 81 30.8 12.6 0.4 2.5 2.9 3.9 1.3 0.1 1.9 2.8 4.6 10.4 .443 1.8 4.9 .361 1.6 2.1 .753
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 12 44.3 32.1 1.3 3.8 5.1 5.2 1.2 0.1 3.5 2.9 11.4 26.4 .432 2.1 5.2 .403 7.2 8.7 .827
John Starks 8 39.3 16.0 0.4 3.3 3.6 4.1 1.6 0.1 3.1 3.3 4.9 10.9 .448 2.6 5.6 .467 3.6 4.9 .744

Season 8

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2003-041996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
-Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsKnicks 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 %
Kobe Bryant 65 37.6 24.0 1.6 3.9 5.5 5.1 1.7 0.4 2.6 2.7 7.9 18.1 .438 1.1 3.3 .327 7.0 8.2 .852
John Starks 77 26.5 13.8 0.5 2.2 2.7 2.8 1.2 0.1 2.1 2.5 4.8 11.1 .431 1.9 5.3 .369 2.2 2.9 .769
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 22 44.2 24.5 0.8 3.9 4.7 5.5 1.9 0.3 2.8 2.7 8.6 20.9 .413 1.1 4.4 .247 6.1 7.5 .813
John Starks 9 28.3 14.0 0.8 2.7 3.4 2.8 1.1 0.0 2.2 2.8 4.9 11.0 .444 1.4 4.6 .317 2.8 3.4 .806

Season 9

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2004-051997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayKnicks 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 %
Kobe Bryant 66 40.7 27.6 1.4 4.5 5.9 6.0 1.3 0.8 4.1 2.6 8.7 20.1 .433 2.0 5.9 .339 8.2 10.1 .816
John Starks 82 26.7 12.9 0.6 2.2 2.8 2.7 1.0 0.1 1.7 2.5 4.5 11.5 .393 1.6 4.9 .327 2.3 2.9 .787
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
John Starks 10 31.4 16.4 0.4 3.6 4.0 2.3 1.6 0.1 1.1 3.5 5.9 12.5 .472 2.5 5.9 .424 2.1 2.4 .875

Season 10

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2005-061998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Kobe Bryant 80 41.0 35.4 0.9 4.4 5.3 4.5 1.8 0.4 3.1 2.9 12.2 27.2 .450 2.3 6.5 .347 8.7 10.2 .850
John Starks 50 33.7 13.8 0.7 2.6 3.3 4.7 1.4 0.1 1.7 2.7 5.4 14.6 .370 1.6 5.4 .290 1.5 2.0 .740
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 7 44.9 27.9 0.6 5.7 6.3 5.1 1.1 0.4 4.7 3.6 10.3 20.7 .497 2.0 5.0 .400 5.3 6.9 .771
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2006-071999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers 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 %
Kobe Bryant 77 40.8 31.6 1.0 4.7 5.7 5.4 1.4 0.5 3.3 2.7 10.6 22.8 .463 1.8 5.2 .344 8.7 10.0 .868
John Starks 37 32.2 13.9 0.3 2.5 2.7 4.9 1.1 0.1 1.8 2.8 5.5 14.6 .375 1.6 4.6 .345 1.4 1.6 .847
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 5 43.0 32.8 0.2 5.0 5.2 4.4 1.0 0.4 4.4 2.0 12.0 26.0 .462 2.0 5.6 .357 6.8 7.4 .919
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2007-082000-01
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsJazz 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 %
Kobe Bryant 82 38.9 28.3 1.1 5.2 6.3 5.4 1.8 0.5 3.1 2.8 9.5 20.6 .459 1.8 5.1 .361 7.6 9.0 .840
John Starks 75 28.3 9.3 0.4 1.7 2.1 2.4 1.0 0.1 1.3 2.9 3.6 9.1 .398 0.9 2.4 .352 1.2 1.5 .802
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 21 41.1 30.1 0.9 4.8 5.7 5.6 1.7 0.4 3.3 2.8 10.6 22.0 .479 1.5 5.0 .302 7.5 9.2 .809
John Starks 3 12.0 3.7 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 1.7 1.3 4.0 .333 0.3 1.3 .250 0.7 0.7 1.000

Season 13

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2008-092001-02
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 82 36.1 26.8 1.1 4.1 5.2 4.9 1.5 0.5 2.6 2.3 9.8 20.9 .467 1.4 4.1 .351 5.9 6.9 .856
John Starks 66 14.1 4.4 0.2 0.8 1.0 1.1 0.5 0.0 0.8 1.9 1.7 4.7 .368 0.4 1.4 .305 0.5 0.6 .805
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 23 40.9 30.2 0.8 4.5 5.3 5.5 1.7 0.9 2.6 2.6 10.5 23.0 .457 1.6 4.6 .349 7.6 8.6 .883
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2009-10-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 73 38.8 27.0 1.1 4.3 5.4 5.0 1.5 0.3 3.2 2.6 9.8 21.5 .456 1.4 4.1 .329 6.0 7.4 .811
John Starks ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 23 40.1 29.2 1.1 4.9 6.0 5.5 1.3 0.7 3.4 3.3 10.2 22.2 .458 2.1 5.7 .374 6.7 8.0 .842
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2010-11-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 82 33.9 25.3 1.0 4.1 5.1 4.7 1.2 0.1 3.0 2.1 9.0 20.0 .451 1.4 4.3 .323 5.9 7.1 .828
John Starks ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 10 35.4 22.8 0.8 2.6 3.4 3.3 1.6 0.3 3.1 2.3 8.3 18.6 .446 1.2 4.1 .293 5.0 6.1 .820
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2011-12-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 58 38.5 27.9 1.1 4.3 5.4 4.6 1.2 0.3 3.5 1.8 9.9 23.0 .430 1.5 4.9 .303 6.6 7.8 .845
John Starks ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant 12 39.7 30.0 1.3 3.5 4.8 4.3 1.3 0.2 2.8 2.8 11.0 25.1 .439 1.4 5.0 .283 6.6 7.9 .832
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2012-13-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 78 38.6 27.3 0.8 4.7 5.6 6.0 1.4 0.3 3.7 2.2 9.5 20.4 .463 1.7 5.2 .324 6.7 8.0 .839
John Starks ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2013-14-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 6 29.5 13.8 0.3 4.0 4.3 6.3 1.2 0.2 5.7 1.5 5.2 12.2 .425 0.5 2.7 .188 3.0 3.5 .857
John Starks ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 19

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2014-15-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 35 34.5 22.3 0.7 4.9 5.7 5.6 1.3 0.2 3.7 1.9 7.6 20.4 .373 1.5 5.3 .293 5.6 6.9 .813
John Starks ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
John Starks ------- --- ----------

Season 20

Kobe Bryant John Starks
Season 2015-16-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
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 %
Kobe Bryant 66 28.2 17.6 0.6 3.1 3.7 2.8 0.9 0.2 2.0 1.7 6.0 16.9 .358 2.0 7.1 .285 3.5 4.3 .826
John Starks ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
John Starks ------- --- ----------