Otis Birdsong vs. Kobe Bryant Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Kobe Bryant and Otis Birdsong, 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.

Otis Birdsong played 12 years in the NBA, 8 less than Kobe Bryant, who played 20. Otis Birdsong had the first of his seasons in 1977-78, while Kobe Bryant had his rookie season in 1996-97. 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
Otis Birdsong 12 7 1977-78 to 1988-89
Kobe Bryant 20 15 1996-97 to 2015-16

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

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1977-781996-97
Team Kansas City KingsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers 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 %
Otis Birdsong 73 25.7 15.8 1.0 1.4 2.4 2.4 1.0 0.2 2.0 2.5 6.4 13.1 .492 - - - 3.0 4.2 .697
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong ------- --- ----------
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

Season 2

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1978-791997-98
Team Kansas City KingsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Kings Lost West Conf SemisLakers 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 %
Otis Birdsong 82 34.6 21.7 2.1 2.2 4.3 3.4 1.5 0.2 2.4 3.1 9.0 17.8 .509 - - - 3.6 5.0 .725
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 5 33.6 21.0 1.6 2.0 3.6 1.8 2.0 0.0 2.0 2.6 7.8 15.2 .513 - - - 5.4 7.6 .711
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

Season 3

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1979-801998-99
Team Kansas City KingsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Kings Lost West Conf 1st RdLakers 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 %
Otis Birdsong 82 35.2 22.7 2.1 2.0 4.0 2.5 1.7 0.3 2.2 2.8 9.5 18.9 .505 0.1 0.4 .278 3.5 5.0 .694
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 3 37.3 22.0 3.7 4.0 7.7 2.3 1.3 0.0 2.0 1.7 10.0 20.7 .484 0.0 1.0 .000 2.0 4.7 .429
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

Season 4

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1980-811999-00
Team Kansas City KingsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second TeamAchievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Kings Lost West Conf FinalsNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 71 36.5 24.6 1.7 2.0 3.6 3.3 1.3 0.3 2.4 2.4 10.0 18.4 .544 0.1 0.5 .286 4.5 6.4 .697
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 8 29.3 15.5 1.0 1.6 2.6 3.4 1.5 0.0 2.5 1.6 7.0 12.3 .571 0.1 0.1 1.000 1.4 2.3 .611
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

Season 5

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1981-822000-01
Team New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 37 27.7 14.2 0.8 1.8 2.6 3.4 0.8 0.1 1.7 2.0 6.1 13.0 .469 0.0 0.3 .000 2.0 3.4 .583
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong ------- --- ----------
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

Season 6

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1982-832001-02
Team New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Nets Lost East Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 62 30.4 15.1 0.9 1.6 2.4 3.9 1.4 0.3 1.8 2.5 6.9 13.5 .511 0.0 0.1 .333 1.3 2.3 .566
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 2 18.5 6.5 0.5 0.5 1.0 4.5 1.5 0.0 0.5 1.5 3.0 8.0 .375 0.0 0.5 .000 0.5 1.0 .500
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

Season 7

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1983-842002-03
Team New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Nets Lost East Conf SemisLakers 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 %
Otis Birdsong 69 31.4 19.8 1.1 1.4 2.5 3.9 1.2 0.2 2.5 2.6 8.4 16.6 .508 0.1 0.3 .250 2.8 4.6 .608
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 11 35.2 15.2 0.6 1.7 2.4 3.7 1.8 0.1 2.0 3.5 6.5 15.5 .415 0.0 0.1 .000 2.3 4.4 .521
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

Season 8

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1984-852003-04
Team New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 56 32.9 20.6 1.1 1.6 2.6 4.1 1.5 0.1 2.1 2.6 8.8 17.3 .511 0.1 0.4 .190 2.9 4.6 .622
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong ------- --- ----------
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

Season 9

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1985-862004-05
Team New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Nets Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 77 31.1 15.8 1.1 1.5 2.6 3.4 1.1 0.2 2.3 3.0 7.0 13.7 .513 0.1 0.3 .364 1.6 2.7 .581
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 3 44.0 23.0 1.7 2.3 4.0 3.3 2.0 1.0 3.0 4.7 9.7 18.3 .527 0.0 1.0 .000 3.7 6.3 .579
Kobe Bryant ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1986-872005-06
Team New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Scoring Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers 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 %
Otis Birdsong 7 18.1 6.3 0.4 0.6 1.0 2.4 0.4 0.0 1.3 2.3 2.7 6.0 .452 0.0 0.1 .000 0.9 1.3 .667
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong ------- --- ----------
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

Season 11

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1987-882006-07
Team New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers
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 Did Not PlayLakers 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 %
Otis Birdsong 67 28.1 10.9 1.1 1.4 2.5 3.3 0.8 0.2 1.9 2.1 5.0 11.0 .458 0.1 0.4 .360 0.7 1.4 .511
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong ------- --- ----------
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

Season 12

Otis Birdsong Kobe Bryant
Season 1988-892007-08
Team Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf 1st RdLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 13 8.3 2.8 0.3 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.9 0.8 1.4 2.8 .500 0.1 0.2 .333 0.0 0.2 .000
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
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Otis Birdsong 3 6.7 0.7 0.0 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.0 1.0 0.3 1.7 .200 0.0 0.7 .000 0.0 0.0 -
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

Season 13

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

Season 14

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

Season 15

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

Season 16

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

Season 17

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

Season 18

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

Season 19

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

Season 20

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