Kobe Bryant vs. Purvis Short Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Purvis Short 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, 8 more than Purvis Short, who played 12. Kobe Bryant had the first of his seasons in 1996-97, while Purvis Short had his rookie season in 1978-79. 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
Purvis Short 12 3 1978-79 to 1989-90

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 Purvis Short
Season 1996-971978-79
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
Purvis Short 75 22.7 10.6 1.7 2.9 4.6 1.3 0.7 0.2 1.5 3.1 4.9 10.3 .479 - - - 0.8 1.1 .671
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 1997-981979-80
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsDid 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 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
Purvis Short 62 26.4 17.0 1.9 3.2 5.1 2.0 1.0 0.1 2.0 3.0 7.4 14.8 .503 0.0 0.1 .000 2.2 2.7 .812
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 1998-991980-81
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third 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 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
Purvis Short 79 29.2 16.1 1.9 3.0 4.9 3.2 1.0 0.2 1.8 3.1 6.9 14.6 .475 0.0 0.2 .176 2.1 2.6 .820
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 1999-001981-82
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 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
Purvis Short 76 23.4 14.4 1.6 1.9 3.5 2.8 0.9 0.1 1.6 2.9 6.0 12.3 .488 0.1 0.4 .214 2.3 2.9 .801
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 5

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2000-011982-83
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 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
Purvis Short 67 35.8 21.4 2.2 3.1 5.3 3.4 1.4 0.2 2.9 3.6 8.8 18.0 .487 0.1 0.2 .267 3.8 4.6 .828
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2001-021983-84
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
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 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 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
Purvis Short 79 37.3 22.8 2.3 3.2 5.5 3.1 1.3 0.1 2.9 3.2 9.0 19.1 .473 0.3 0.9 .306 4.5 5.6 .793
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 7

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2002-031984-85
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 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
Purvis Short 78 39.5 28.0 2.0 3.1 5.1 3.0 1.5 0.3 3.1 3.3 10.5 22.8 .460 0.6 1.9 .313 6.4 7.9 .817
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2003-041985-86
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Defensive First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsDid 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 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
Purvis Short 64 37.9 25.5 2.0 3.2 5.1 3.7 1.4 0.3 2.9 3.6 9.9 20.5 .482 0.2 0.8 .306 5.5 6.3 .865
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2004-051986-87
Team Los Angeles LakersGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors 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 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
Purvis Short 34 27.9 18.3 1.6 2.4 4.0 2.5 1.3 0.2 2.0 3.0 7.1 14.7 .479 0.1 0.5 .235 4.0 4.7 .856
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short 10 25.3 14.6 1.2 2.1 3.3 2.7 1.2 0.2 2.1 3.4 5.7 12.3 .463 0.0 0.2 .000 3.2 3.6 .889

Season 10

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2005-061987-88
Team Los Angeles LakersHouston Rockets
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 RdRockets 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 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
Purvis Short 81 24.1 14.3 0.9 1.9 2.7 2.0 0.7 0.2 1.5 2.4 5.9 12.2 .481 0.1 0.3 .238 2.5 3.0 .858
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
Purvis Short 4 17.8 5.5 1.0 1.3 2.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 1.0 2.0 1.8 6.5 .269 0.0 0.3 .000 2.0 2.0 1.000

Season 11

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2006-071988-89
Team Los Angeles LakersHouston Rockets
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 RdRockets 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 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
Purvis Short 65 17.8 7.4 1.0 1.8 2.8 1.6 0.7 0.2 1.1 1.8 3.0 7.4 .413 0.1 0.5 .273 1.2 1.4 .865
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
Purvis Short 4 9.3 4.8 1.5 0.8 2.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.8 2.0 5.3 .381 0.0 0.5 .000 0.8 1.3 .600

Season 12

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2007-081989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersNew Jersey Nets
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 >>
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
Purvis Short 82 27.0 13.1 1.2 1.8 3.0 1.8 0.8 0.2 1.5 2.5 5.3 11.6 .455 0.1 0.4 .286 2.4 2.9 .835
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
Season 2008-09-
Team Los Angeles Lakers-
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 Champion-
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 17

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 18

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 19

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------

Season 20

Kobe Bryant Purvis Short
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
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------
Purvis Short ------- --- ----------