Ron Harper vs. Karl Malone Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Karl Malone and Ron Harper, 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.

Ron Harper played 15 years in the NBA, 4 less than Karl Malone, who played 19. Ron Harper had the first of his seasons in 1986-87, while Karl Malone had his rookie season in 1985-86. 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
Ron Harper 15 10 1986-87 to 2000-01
Karl Malone 19 19 1985-86 to 2003-04

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

Rookie Season

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1986-871985-86
Team Cleveland CavaliersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 82 37.4 22.9 2.1 2.7 4.8 4.8 2.5 1.0 4.2 3.0 9.0 19.7 .455 0.2 1.1 .213 4.7 6.9 .684
Karl Malone 81 30.6 14.9 2.1 6.7 8.9 2.9 1.3 0.5 3.4 3.6 6.2 12.5 .496 0.0 0.0 .000 2.4 5.0 .481
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 4 36.0 21.8 1.5 6.0 7.5 1.0 2.0 0.0 1.5 4.5 9.5 18.0 .528 0.0 0.0 - 2.8 6.5 .423

Season 2

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1987-881986-87
Team Cleveland CavaliersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East Conf 1st RdJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 57 32.1 15.4 1.1 2.8 3.9 4.9 2.1 0.9 2.8 2.8 6.0 12.8 .464 0.1 0.4 .150 3.4 4.9 .705
Karl Malone 82 34.8 21.7 3.4 7.0 10.4 1.9 1.3 0.7 2.9 3.9 8.9 17.3 .512 0.0 0.1 .000 3.9 6.6 .598
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 4 33.5 17.8 1.0 4.0 5.0 3.8 2.8 1.0 2.8 2.3 7.5 15.8 .476 0.0 0.5 .000 2.8 4.0 .688
Karl Malone 5 40.0 20.0 3.0 6.6 9.6 1.2 2.2 0.8 3.4 4.0 7.4 17.6 .420 0.0 0.0 - 5.2 7.2 .722

Season 3

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1988-891987-88
Team Cleveland CavaliersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost East Conf 1st RdJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 82 34.8 18.6 1.5 3.5 5.0 5.3 2.3 0.9 2.8 2.7 7.2 14.0 .511 0.4 1.4 .250 3.9 5.2 .751
Karl Malone 82 39.0 27.7 3.4 8.6 12.0 2.4 1.4 0.6 4.0 3.6 10.5 20.1 .520 0.0 0.1 .000 6.7 9.6 .700
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 5 37.8 19.6 1.4 2.8 4.2 4.0 2.2 0.8 1.4 4.0 7.8 13.8 .565 0.0 0.4 .000 4.0 5.2 .769
Karl Malone 11 44.9 29.7 3.0 8.8 11.8 1.5 1.2 0.6 3.5 3.2 11.2 23.2 .482 0.0 0.1 .000 7.4 10.2 .723

Season 4

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1989-901988-89
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles ClippersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 35 39.1 22.8 2.1 3.8 5.9 5.2 2.3 1.2 2.9 3.0 8.6 18.2 .473 0.4 1.5 .275 5.2 6.6 .788
Karl Malone 80 39.1 29.1 3.2 7.4 10.7 2.7 1.8 0.9 3.6 3.6 10.1 19.5 .519 0.1 0.2 .313 8.8 11.5 .766
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 3 45.3 30.7 7.3 9.0 16.3 1.3 1.0 0.3 4.3 5.3 11.0 22.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 8.7 10.7 .813

Season 5

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1990-911989-90
Team Los Angeles ClippersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 39 35.5 19.6 1.5 3.3 4.8 5.4 1.7 0.9 3.3 2.8 7.3 18.7 .391 1.2 3.8 .324 3.7 5.6 .668
Karl Malone 82 38.1 31.0 2.8 8.3 11.1 2.8 1.5 0.6 3.7 3.2 11.1 19.8 .562 0.2 0.5 .372 8.5 11.1 .762
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 5 40.6 25.2 3.2 7.0 10.2 2.2 2.2 1.0 2.4 4.4 9.2 21.0 .438 0.0 0.2 .000 6.8 9.0 .756

Season 6

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1991-921990-91
Team Los Angeles ClippersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Clippers Lost West Conf 1st RdJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 82 38.3 18.2 1.5 4.0 5.5 5.1 1.9 0.9 3.1 2.4 6.9 15.8 .440 0.8 2.6 .303 3.6 4.9 .736
Karl Malone 82 40.3 29.0 2.9 8.9 11.8 3.3 1.1 1.0 3.0 3.3 10.3 19.6 .527 0.0 0.2 .286 8.3 10.8 .770
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 5 41.2 18.0 2.0 4.4 6.4 4.6 1.0 0.8 3.0 2.6 7.8 17.4 .448 0.2 1.8 .111 2.2 2.8 .786
Karl Malone 9 42.6 29.7 2.6 10.8 13.3 3.2 1.0 1.2 2.9 3.9 10.6 23.2 .455 0.0 0.9 .000 8.6 10.1 .846

Season 7

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1992-931991-92
Team Los Angeles ClippersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Clippers Lost West Conf 1st RdJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 80 37.1 18.0 1.5 3.9 5.3 4.5 2.2 0.9 2.8 2.7 6.8 15.0 .451 0.7 2.3 .280 3.8 5.0 .769
Karl Malone 81 37.7 28.0 2.8 8.4 11.2 3.0 1.3 0.6 3.1 2.8 9.9 18.7 .526 0.0 0.2 .176 8.3 10.7 .778
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 5 34.8 18.0 0.8 3.2 4.0 3.2 3.0 2.0 2.2 1.4 7.4 15.6 .474 1.0 2.0 .500 2.2 3.4 .647
Karl Malone 16 43.0 29.1 2.7 8.6 11.3 2.6 1.4 1.2 2.9 3.6 9.3 17.8 .521 0.0 0.1 .000 10.6 13.1 .805

Season 8

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1993-941992-93
Team Los Angeles ClippersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 75 38.1 20.1 1.7 4.4 6.1 4.6 1.9 0.7 3.2 2.2 7.6 17.8 .426 0.9 3.1 .301 4.0 5.6 .715
Karl Malone 82 37.8 27.0 2.8 8.4 11.2 3.8 1.5 1.0 2.9 3.2 9.7 17.6 .552 0.0 0.2 .200 7.5 10.2 .740
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 5 43.2 24.0 2.4 8.0 10.4 2.0 1.2 0.4 4.0 4.2 8.8 19.4 .454 0.2 0.4 .500 6.2 7.6 .816

Season 9

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1994-951993-94
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 77 19.9 6.9 0.7 1.7 2.3 2.0 1.3 0.4 1.3 1.7 2.7 6.4 .426 0.4 1.4 .282 1.1 1.7 .618
Karl Malone 82 40.6 25.2 2.9 8.6 11.5 4.0 1.5 1.5 2.9 3.3 9.4 18.9 .497 0.1 0.4 .250 6.2 9.0 .694
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 6 6.7 2.0 0.3 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.2 1.0 1.0 2.3 .429 0.0 0.3 .000 0.0 0.0 -
Karl Malone 16 43.9 27.1 3.3 9.1 12.4 3.4 1.4 0.8 2.1 3.7 9.9 21.1 .467 0.0 0.3 .000 7.4 10.0 .738

Season 10

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1995-961994-95
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 80 23.6 7.4 0.9 1.7 2.7 2.6 1.3 0.4 0.9 1.7 2.9 6.3 .467 0.4 1.3 .269 1.2 1.7 .705
Karl Malone 82 38.1 26.7 1.9 8.7 10.6 3.5 1.6 1.0 2.9 3.3 10.1 18.9 .536 0.1 0.5 .268 6.3 8.5 .742
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 18 27.4 8.8 1.4 2.3 3.7 2.5 1.4 0.4 1.0 2.1 3.2 7.4 .425 0.8 2.6 .319 1.6 2.3 .690
Karl Malone 5 43.2 30.2 3.0 10.2 13.2 3.8 1.4 0.4 2.8 3.6 9.6 20.6 .466 0.2 0.6 .333 10.8 15.6 .692

Season 11

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1996-971995-96
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 76 22.9 6.3 0.6 1.9 2.5 2.5 1.1 0.5 0.7 1.8 2.3 5.3 .436 0.9 2.5 .362 0.8 1.1 .707
Karl Malone 82 38.0 25.7 2.1 7.7 9.8 4.2 1.7 0.7 2.4 3.0 9.6 18.5 .519 0.2 0.5 .400 6.2 8.6 .723
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 19 27.1 7.5 1.1 3.2 4.3 3.0 1.3 0.7 0.6 2.3 2.6 6.6 .400 1.1 3.2 .344 1.1 1.5 .750
Karl Malone 18 40.3 26.5 2.6 7.7 10.3 4.4 1.9 0.6 2.5 3.4 10.4 22.3 .469 0.0 0.2 .000 5.6 9.8 .574

Season 12

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1997-981996-97
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 82 27.9 9.3 1.3 2.2 3.5 2.9 1.3 0.6 1.1 2.2 3.6 8.1 .441 0.2 1.0 .190 2.0 2.6 .750
Karl Malone 82 36.6 27.4 2.4 7.5 9.9 4.5 1.4 0.6 2.8 2.6 10.5 19.2 .550 0.0 0.2 .000 6.4 8.4 .755
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 21 26.9 6.7 1.0 2.6 3.7 2.3 1.0 0.9 0.9 2.0 2.7 5.8 .459 0.2 0.9 .263 1.1 1.9 .615
Karl Malone 20 40.8 26.0 3.0 8.4 11.4 2.9 1.4 0.8 2.7 3.0 9.4 21.5 .435 0.1 0.1 .500 7.2 10.0 .720

Season 13

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1998-991997-98
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 35 31.6 11.2 1.4 3.7 5.1 3.3 1.7 1.0 1.9 2.3 4.2 11.1 .377 0.8 2.4 .318 2.0 2.9 .703
Karl Malone 81 37.4 27.0 2.3 8.0 10.3 3.9 1.2 0.9 3.0 2.9 9.6 18.2 .530 0.0 0.1 .333 7.8 10.2 .761
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 20 39.8 26.3 2.4 8.5 10.9 3.4 1.1 1.0 3.0 3.5 9.9 21.0 .471 0.0 0.2 .000 6.5 8.3 .788

Season 14

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 1999-001998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 80 25.5 7.0 1.2 3.0 4.2 3.4 1.1 0.5 1.7 2.1 2.7 6.6 .399 0.4 1.3 .311 1.3 1.8 .680
Karl Malone 49 37.4 23.8 2.2 7.3 9.4 4.1 1.3 0.6 3.3 2.7 8.0 16.3 .493 0.0 0.0 .000 7.7 9.8 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 23 28.0 8.6 1.3 2.4 3.7 3.2 1.0 0.6 1.2 2.7 3.4 7.9 .431 0.4 1.7 .231 1.4 2.0 .702
Karl Malone 11 41.0 21.8 3.3 8.0 11.3 4.7 1.2 0.7 3.6 3.4 7.8 18.7 .417 0.0 0.1 .000 6.2 7.8 .791

Season 15

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season 2000-011999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz 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 %
Ron Harper 47 24.2 6.5 1.0 2.6 3.5 2.4 0.8 0.5 1.3 1.5 2.7 5.8 .469 0.4 1.5 .264 0.7 1.0 .708
Karl Malone 82 35.9 25.5 2.1 7.4 9.5 3.7 1.0 0.9 2.8 2.8 9.2 18.0 .509 0.0 0.1 .250 7.2 9.0 .797
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper 6 7.3 2.2 0.2 1.2 1.3 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.8 1.7 .500 0.2 0.7 .250 0.3 0.5 .667
Karl Malone 10 38.6 27.2 1.9 7.0 8.9 3.1 0.7 0.7 2.7 3.1 10.3 19.8 .520 0.2 0.2 1.000 6.4 7.9 .810

Season 16

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season -2000-01
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 81 35.7 23.2 1.4 6.9 8.3 4.5 1.1 0.8 3.0 2.7 8.3 16.6 .498 0.0 0.1 .400 6.6 8.3 .793
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 5 40.0 27.6 1.8 7.0 8.8 3.4 1.0 0.8 3.8 2.6 9.8 24.2 .405 0.2 0.4 .500 7.8 9.8 .796

Season 17

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season -2001-02
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 80 38.0 22.4 1.8 6.8 8.6 4.3 1.9 0.7 3.3 2.9 7.9 17.5 .454 0.1 0.3 .360 6.4 8.0 .797
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 4 40.8 20.0 0.8 6.8 7.5 4.5 1.3 0.8 2.8 2.8 7.5 18.3 .411 0.0 0.3 .000 5.0 7.0 .714

Season 18

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season -2002-03
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Jazz 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 %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 81 36.2 20.6 1.4 6.4 7.8 4.7 1.7 0.4 2.6 2.5 7.3 15.9 .462 0.0 0.2 .214 5.9 7.7 .763
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 5 38.2 19.6 1.4 5.4 6.8 4.0 1.6 0.4 4.0 3.0 6.8 16.8 .405 0.0 0.2 .000 6.0 8.2 .732

Season 19

Ron Harper Karl Malone
Season -2003-04
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 %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 42 32.7 13.2 1.5 7.3 8.7 3.9 1.2 0.5 2.5 2.8 4.6 9.5 .483 0.0 0.0 .000 4.0 5.4 .747
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Ron Harper ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 21 38.0 11.5 1.8 7.0 8.8 3.4 1.1 0.1 2.2 3.1 4.7 10.4 .450 0.0 0.0 .000 2.2 3.5 .630