Kobe Bryant vs. Lenny Wilkens Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Lenny Wilkens 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

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, 5 more than Lenny Wilkens, who played 15. Kobe Bryant had the first of his seasons in 1996-97, while Lenny Wilkens had his rookie season in 1960-61. 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 achievements, 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
Lenny Wilkens 15 7 1960-61 to 1974-75

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15

Rookie Season

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 1996-971960-61
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Rookie Second Team-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisHawks Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+4+9.8+4.1+2.6+1.5-1.5+1.9+4.5+.008+1.0+1.7+.106
Lenny Wilkens 75 25.3 11.7 - - 4.5 2.8 - - - 2.9 4.4 10.4 .425 - - - 2.9 4.0 .713
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+3+21.6+6.0+4.8+2.3-1.7+3.0+7.7+.002+0.8+1.5+.108
Lenny Wilkens 12 36.4 14.2 - - 6.0 3.5 - - - 4.3 5.3 13.8 .380 - - - 3.7 4.8 .759

Season 2

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 1997-981961-62
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+59+17.5+2.8+3.5+3.3-0.9+2.1+6.6+.043+0.4+0.3+.030
Lenny Wilkens 20 43.5 18.2 - - 6.6 5.8 - - - 3.2 7.0 18.2 .385 - - - 4.2 5.5 .764
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Lenny Wilkens DNP------ --- ----------

Season 3

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 1998-991962-63
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisHawks Lost West Div Finals
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+25+3.6+8.1+0.1+1.3-0.3+2.8+4.5+.066+1.9+1.5+.143
Lenny Wilkens 75 34.3 11.8 - - 5.4 5.1 - - - 3.4 4.4 11.1 .399 - - - 3.0 4.3 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+3+3.2+6.1+0.6+1.7-1.6+2.4+3.8+.060+0.1+0.1+.045
Lenny Wilkens 11 36.4 13.7 - - 6.3 6.3 - - - 4.6 5.2 14.0 .370 - - - 3.4 4.5 .755

Season 4

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 1999-001963-64
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHawks Lost West Div Finals
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+12+5.8+10.5+2.0+0.3-0.4+4.1+7.5+.055+1.5+1.4+.081
Lenny Wilkens 78 32.4 12.0 - - 4.3 4.6 - - - 3.7 4.3 10.4 .413 - - - 3.5 4.7 .740
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+10+4.6+6.8+0.5+0.9-0.5+2.6+6.0+.006+0.6+0.9+.005
Lenny Wilkens 12 34.4 14.3 - - 5.0 5.3 - - - 3.5 5.3 11.9 .448 - - - 3.7 4.8 .759

Season 5

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2000-011964-65
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHawks Lost West Div Semis
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+10+4.3+12.0+1.2+0.5-0.3+4.7+8.8+.050+1.7+1.0+.107
Lenny Wilkens 78 36.6 16.5 - - 4.7 5.5 - - - 3.6 5.6 13.4 .414 - - - 5.3 7.2 .746
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+12+6.6+13.4+4.3+2.3-0.2+5.5+8.1+.118+1.8+2.1+.007
Lenny Wilkens 4 36.8 16.0 - - 3.0 3.8 - - - 3.5 5.0 14.3 .351 - - - 6.0 7.3 .828

Season 6

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2001-021965-66
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game MVP-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionHawks Lost West Div Finals
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+11+0.7+7.2+0.8+0.7-0.7+3.4+6.2+.038+0.3+.036
Lenny Wilkens 69 39.0 18.0 - - 4.7 6.2 - - - 3.6 6.0 13.8 .431 - - - 6.1 7.7 .793
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+9+4.7+9.5+0.4+2.4-0.9+4.1+8.4+.035+0.1+0.7+.072
Lenny Wilkens 10 39.1 17.1 - - 5.4 7.0 - - - 4.3 5.7 14.3 .399 - - - 5.7 8.3 .687

Season 7

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2002-031966-67
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisHawks Lost West Div Finals
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+4+3.4+12.6+1.6+0.2-0.9+4.9+10.2+.019+1.4+1.2+.056
Lenny Wilkens 78 38.1 17.4 - - 5.3 5.7 - - - 3.6 5.7 13.3 .432 - - - 5.9 7.5 .787
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+3+2.3+10.7+2.5+2.0-0.9+5.0+10.3+.032+1.4+1.3+.029
Lenny Wilkens 9 42.0 21.4 - - 7.6 7.2 - - - 3.8 6.4 16.1 .400 - - - 8.6 10.0 .856

Season 8

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2003-041967-68
Team Los Angeles LakersSt. Louis Hawks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsHawks Lost West Div Semis
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+17+1.0+4.0+0.2+3.2-0.4+1.2+2.9+0.3+0.5+.084
Lenny Wilkens 82 38.6 20.0 - - 5.3 8.3 - - - 3.1 6.7 15.2 .438 - - - 6.7 8.7 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+16+4.7+6.2+1.6+2.3-1.1+1.9+5.7+.027+1.1+0.8+.063
Lenny Wilkens 6 39.5 18.3 - - 6.3 7.8 - - - 3.8 6.7 15.2 .440 - - - 5.0 6.7 .750

Season 9

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2004-051968-69
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+16+1.5+5.2+0.3+2.2-1.0+0.8+2.3+.007+1.5+1.4+.046
Lenny Wilkens 82 42.2 22.4 - - 6.2 8.2 - - - 3.6 7.9 17.8 .440 - - - 6.7 8.7 .770
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Kobe Bryant nor Lenny Wilkens played in the postseason in their season 9

Season 10

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2005-061969-70
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
-Achievement Assists Leader
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+5+3.6+17.6+0.3+4.6-0.1+6.2+13.0+.030+2.9+2.8+.062
Lenny Wilkens 75 37.4 17.8 - - 5.0 9.1 - - - 2.8 6.0 14.2 .420 - - - 5.8 7.4 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Lenny Wilkens DNP------ --- ----------

Season 11

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2006-071970-71
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement Scoring Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Achievement All-Star Game MVPAchievement All-Star Game MVP
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+6+3.6+11.8+1.2+3.8-0.1+4.0+7.0+.044+2.2+1.9+.065
Lenny Wilkens 71 37.2 19.8 - - 4.5 9.2 - - - 2.8 6.6 15.8 .419 - - - 6.5 8.1 .803
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Lenny Wilkens DNP------ --- ----------

Season 12

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2007-081971-72
Team Los Angeles LakersSeattle Supersonics
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+2+1.5+10.3+2.1+4.2-0.2+3.5+7.8+.007+1.6+1.2+.066
Lenny Wilkens 80 37.4 18.0 - - 4.2 9.6 - - - 2.6 6.0 12.8 .466 - - - 6.0 7.8 .774
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Lenny Wilkens DNP------ --- ----------

Season 13

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2008-091972-73
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Achievement All-Star Game MVP-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
13th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+7+3.5+6.3+0.6+3.5-0.6+2.2+3.9+.018+0.6+0.6+.028
Lenny Wilkens 75 39.6 20.5 - - 4.6 8.4 - - - 2.9 7.6 17.0 .449 - - - 5.3 6.3 .828
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Lenny Wilkens DNP------ --- ----------

Season 14

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2009-101973-74
Team Los Angeles LakersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
14th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+1+5.2+10.6+1.6+1.7+2.1+0.2+0.1-0.4+3.6+8.1+.009+2.1+2.5+.010
Lenny Wilkens 74 33.6 16.4 1.1 2.7 3.7 7.1 1.3 0.2 - 2.2 6.2 13.4 .465 - - - 3.9 4.9 .801
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Lenny Wilkens DNP------ --- ----------

Season 15

Kobe Bryant Lenny Wilkens
Season 2010-111974-75
Team Los Angeles LakersPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Achievement All-Star Game MVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
15th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+17+16.0+18.8+0.4+2.8+3.3+1.1-0.6+6.9+15.3+.012+3.6+4.1+.060
Lenny Wilkens 65 17.9 6.5 0.6 1.3 1.8 3.6 1.2 0.1 - 1.5 2.1 4.7 .439 - - - 2.3 3.0 .768
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Lenny Wilkens DNP------ --- ----------

Additional Years

* Kobe Bryant played 5 seasons more than Lenny Wilkens in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 16 to 20, from 2012 to 2016—Kobe Bryant played in one postseason.

In those 5 extra years over Lenny Wilkens, Kobe Bryant got these achievements:

Honors & AwardsAchievement 2 All-NBA First Team
Achievement 1 All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement 5 All-Star Game