Michael Cooper vs. Karl Malone Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Karl Malone and Michael Cooper that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

Michael Cooper

vs.

Karl Malone

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Michael Cooper: 1978-79 to 1989-90
Karl Malone: 1985-86 to 2003-04

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Michael Cooper 5 Karl Malone 0

NBA Seasons Michael Cooper 12 Karl Malone 19

Playoffs Played Michael Cooper 11 Karl Malone 19

All-Star Games Michael Cooper 0 Karl Malone 14

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Michael Cooper 0 Karl Malone 2

All-NBA First Team Michael Cooper 0 Karl Malone 11

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Michael Cooper 0 Karl Malone 14

All-Defensive 1st Team Michael Cooper 5 Karl Malone 3

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Michael Cooper 8 Karl Malone 4

Defensive Player of The Year Michael Cooper 1 * Karl Malone 0

* Notes: Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 8.9 Karl Malone 25.0

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.2 Karl Malone 10.1

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 Karl Malone 3.6

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 Karl Malone 1.4

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 Karl Malone 0.8

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 7,729 Karl Malone 36,928

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 2,769 Karl Malone 14,968

Total Assists Michael Cooper 3,666 Karl Malone 5,248

Total Steals Michael Cooper 1,033 Karl Malone 2,085

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 523 Karl Malone 1,145

Total Games Michael Cooper 873 Karl Malone 1,476

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .469 Karl Malone .516

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .340 * Karl Malone .274

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .833 Karl Malone .742

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 11.9 (1982) Karl Malone 31.0 (1990)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.1 (1981) Karl Malone 12.0 (1988)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.9 (1984) Karl Malone 4.7 (2003)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.6 (1981) Karl Malone 1.9 (2002)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1981) Karl Malone 1.5 (1994)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 9.4 Karl Malone 24.7

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 3.4 Karl Malone 10.7

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 4.2 Karl Malone 3.2

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 1.2 Karl Malone 1.3

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 0.6 Karl Malone 0.7

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Cooper 1,581 Karl Malone 4,761

Total Rebounds Michael Cooper 574 Karl Malone 2,062

Total Assists Michael Cooper 703 Karl Malone 610

Total Steals Michael Cooper 203 Karl Malone 258

Total Blocks Michael Cooper 96 Karl Malone 135

Total Games Michael Cooper 168 Karl Malone 193

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Cooper .468 Karl Malone .463

3-Point Percentage Michael Cooper .392 * Karl Malone .162

Free Throw Percentage Michael Cooper .825 Karl Malone .736

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Cooper 13.0 (1987) Karl Malone 30.7 (1989)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Cooper 4.4 (1982) Karl Malone 16.3 (1989)

Assists Per Game Michael Cooper 5.7 (1984) Karl Malone 4.7 (1999)

Steals Per Game Michael Cooper 2.0 (1981) Karl Malone 2.2 (1990)

Blocks Per Game Michael Cooper 1.0 (1984) Karl Malone 1.2 (1991)

Notes: * Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.