Taj Gibson vs. Karl Malone Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Karl Malone 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, 4 less than Karl Malone, who played 19. Taj Gibson had the first of his seasons in 2009-10, 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
Taj Gibson 15 9 2009-10 to 2023-24
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2009-101985-86
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Bulls 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 %
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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2010-111986-87
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 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 %
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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2011-121987-88
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls 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 %
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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2012-131988-89
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisJazz 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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2013-141989-90
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls 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 %
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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2014-151990-91
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisJazz 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 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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2015-161991-92
Team Chicago BullsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 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
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2016-171992-93
Team Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City ThunderUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Thunder Lost West 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 %
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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2017-181993-94
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Timberwolves 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 %
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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2018-191994-95
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesUtah 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 %
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
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2019-201995-96
Team New York KnicksUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 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
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2020-211996-97
Team New York KnicksUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Knicks Lost East Conf 1st RdJazz 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 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
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 %
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
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2021-221997-98
Team New York KnicksUtah 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 %
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
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2022-231998-99
Team Washington WizardsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 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
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson Karl Malone
Season 2023-241999-00
Team New York Knicks, Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz 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 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
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson 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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson 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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson 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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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

Taj Gibson 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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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 %
Taj Gibson ------- --- ----------
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