Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Chris Paul: Career Scoring Comparison
We break down the scoring legacies of Chris Paul and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to determine who has the better numbers. Here you can compare their career totals, points per game, games of 40+ points, 50+, etc. and their year-by-year scoring averages side by side, both in the Regular Season and Playoffs.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Chris Paul are among the all-time leaders in points in NBA history—combining for a total of 61,398 points—. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is also one of the all-time leaders in points per game. Here we compare their scoring stats.
By taking a look at their career numbers for points, the first conclusion one can arrive at is that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has better scoring stats than Chris Paul in averages and totals, both in the regular season and Playoffs. However, we won't stop there and we'll go into detail to analyze what these statistics are made up of, from how many games they had in each threshold (30+ points, 40+, 50+, etc.) to their season-by-season scoring averages.
On this page we compare: |
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Who has better scoring stats? Career Numbers |
Career Numbers
Who has the better scoring stats?
Points in the Regular Season
In his 20 NBA regular seasons played, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averages 7.6 points more than Chris Paul in his 20 seasons (24.6 points against 17.0), and he also scored a total of 15,376 points more (38,387 vs. 23,011).
Points Per Game | Seasons | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.6 | +7.6 | 20 |
| Chris Paul | 17.0 | 20 | |
Total Points | Seasons | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | +15,376 | 20 |
| Chris Paul | 23,011 | 20 | |
Scoring Titles | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 2 |  +2 |
| Chris Paul | 0 | |
Points in the Playoffs
Similar to what happens in the regular season, in the NBA postseason Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a better career point average than Chris Paul (+4.3 points per game) and he also scored more points (+2,781).
Points Per Game | Playoffs | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.3 | +4.3 | 18 |
| Chris Paul | 20.0 | 15 | |
Total Points | Playoffs | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 5,762 | +2,781 | 18 |
| Chris Paul | 2,981 | 15 | |
Points by Thresholds
Regular Season
50+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 10 | +10 | ||
| Chris Paul | 0 | |||
20+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,122 | +650 | ||
| Chris Paul | 472 | |||
10+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,509 | +376 | ||
| Chris Paul | 1,133 | |||
1+ Point Games (games with points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,559 | +209 | ||
| Chris Paul | 1,350 | |||
0 Point Games (games without points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1 | |||
| Chris Paul | 4 | +3 | ||
Playoffs
20+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 169 | +95 | ||
| Chris Paul | 74 | |||
10+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 223 | +89 | ||
| Chris Paul | 134 | |||
1+ Point Games (games with points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 237 | +88 | ||
| Chris Paul | 149 | |||
0 Point Games (games without points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 0 | |||
| Chris Paul | 0 | |||
Career Shooting Stats Comparison
more >>
Regular Season
Stats Per Game
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.6 | 10.2 | 18.1 | 55.9 | * 0.0 | * 0.0 | * 5.6 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 72.1 | 20 | 1,560 |
| difference: | +7.6 | +4.2 | +5.3 | +9.0 | +1.4 | +3.7 | +31.4 | +0.7 | +1.9 | +15.0 | +206 | |
| Chris Paul | 17.0 | 6.0 | 12.8 | 47.0 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 37.0 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 87.1 | 20 | 1,354 |
Total Stats
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | 15,837 | 28,307 | 55.9 | * 1 | * 18 | * 5.6 | 6,712 | 9,304 | 72.1 | 20 | 1,560 |
| difference: | +15,376 | +7,690 | +10,955 | +9.0 | +1,859 | +5,011 | +31.4 | +1,855 | +3,725 | +15.0 | +206 | |
| Chris Paul | 23,011 | 8,147 | 17,352 | 47.0 | 1,860 | 5,029 | 37.0 | 4,857 | 5,579 | 87.1 | 20 | 1,354 |
Notes: Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80.
* = some years in his career didn't have the stat.
Playoffs
Stats Per Game
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.3 | 9.9 | 18.7 | 53.3 | * 0.0 | * 0.0 | * 0.0 | 4.4 | 6.0 | 74.0 | 18 | 237 |
| difference: | +4.3 | +2.5 | +3.4 | +4.9 | +1.6 | +4.4 | +37.3 | +0.9 | +1.9 | +11.4 | +3 | +88 |
| Chris Paul | 20.0 | 7.4 | 15.3 | 48.4 | 1.6 | 4.4 | 37.3 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 85.4 | 15 | 149 |
Total Stats
| Pts | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | Yrs | Gms | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 5,762 | 2,356 | 4,422 | 53.3 | * 0 | * 4 | * 0.0 | 1,050 | 1,419 | 74.0 | 18 | 237 |
| difference: | +2,781 | +1,250 | +2,135 | +4.9 | +244 | +650 | +37.3 | +525 | +804 | +11.4 | +3 | +88 |
| Chris Paul | 2,981 | 1,106 | 2,287 | 48.4 | 244 | 654 | 37.3 | 525 | 615 | 85.4 | 15 | 149 |
Year by Year Points Average Comparison
= NBA Scoring Leader
= NBA ChampionRegular Season
Rookie Season | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.8 | +12.7 | 1970 | 82 |
| Chris Paul | 16.1 | 2006 | 78 | |
Season 2 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 31.7 | +14.4 | 1971 | 82 |
| Chris Paul | 17.3 | 2007 | 64 | |
Season 3 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 34.8 | +13.7 | 1972 | 81 |
| Chris Paul | 21.1 | 2008 | 80 | |
Season 4 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 30.2 | +7.4 | 1973 | 76 |
| Chris Paul | 22.8 | 2009 | 78 | |
Season 5 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.0 | +8.3 | 1974 | 81 |
| Chris Paul | 18.7 | 2010 | 45 | |
Season 6 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 30.0 | +14.1 | 1975 | 65 |
| Chris Paul | 15.9 | 2011 | 80 | |
Season 7 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.7 | +7.9 | 1976 | 82 |
| Chris Paul | 19.8 | 2012 | 60 | |
Season 8 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.2 | +9.3 | 1977 | 82 |
| Chris Paul | 16.9 | 2013 | 70 | |
Season 9 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 25.8 | +6.7 | 1978 | 62 |
| Chris Paul | 19.1 | 2014 | 62 | |
Season 10 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.8 | +4.7 | 1979 | 80 |
| Chris Paul | 19.1 | 2015 | 82 | |
Season 11 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.8 | +5.3 | 1980 | 82 |
| Chris Paul | 19.5 | 2016 | 74 | |
Season 12 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.2 | +8.1 | 1981 | 80 |
| Chris Paul | 18.1 | 2017 | 61 | |
Season 13 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.9 | +5.3 | 1982 | 76 |
| Chris Paul | 18.6 | 2018 | 58 | |
Season 14 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.8 | +6.2 | 1983 | 79 |
| Chris Paul | 15.6 | 2019 | 58 | |
Season 15 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.5 | +3.9 | 1984 | 80 |
| Chris Paul | 17.6 | 2020 | 70 | |
Season 16 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 22.0 | +5.6 | 1985 | 79 |
| Chris Paul | 16.4 | 2021 | 70 | |
Season 17 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.4 | +8.7 | 1986 | 79 |
| Chris Paul | 14.7 | 2022 | 65 | |
Season 18 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 17.5 | +3.6 | 1987 | 78 |
| Chris Paul | 13.9 | 2023 | 59 | |
Playoffs
Rookie Season | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 35.2 | +35.2 | 1970 | 10 |
| Chris Paul | - | DNP | 2006 | 0 |
Season 2 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.6 | +26.6 | 1971 | 14 |
| Chris Paul | - | DNP | 2007 | 0 |
Season 3 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.7 | +4.6 | 1972 | 11 |
| Chris Paul | 24.1 | 2008 | 12 | |
Season 4 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 22.8 | +6.2 | 1973 | 6 |
| Chris Paul | 16.6 | 2009 | 5 | |
Season 5 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 32.2 | +32.2 | 1974 | 16 |
| Chris Paul | - | DNP | 2010 | 0 |
Season 6 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | - | DNP | 1975 | 0 |
| Chris Paul | 22.0 | +22.0 | 2011 | 6 |
Season 7 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | - | DNP | 1976 | 0 |
| Chris Paul | 17.6 | +17.6 | 2012 | 11 |
Season 8 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 34.6 | +11.8 | 1977 | 11 |
| Chris Paul | 22.8 | 2013 | 6 | |
Season 9 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.0 | +7.2 | 1978 | 3 |
| Chris Paul | 19.8 | 2014 | 13 | |
Season 10 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.5 | +6.4 | 1979 | 8 |
| Chris Paul | 22.1 | 2015 | 12 | |
Season 11 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 31.9 | +8.1 | 1980 | 15 |
| Chris Paul | 23.8 | 2016 | 4 | |
Season 12 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.7 | +1.4 | 1981 | 3 |
| Chris Paul | 25.3 | 2017 | 7 | |
Season 13 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 20.4 | 1982 | 14 | |
| Chris Paul | 21.1 | +0.7 | 2018 | 15 |
Season 14 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.1 | +10.1 | 1983 | 15 |
| Chris Paul | 17.0 | 2019 | 11 | |
Season 15 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.9 | +2.6 | 1984 | 21 |
| Chris Paul | 21.3 | 2020 | 7 | |
Season 16 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.9 | +2.7 | 1985 | 19 |
| Chris Paul | 19.2 | 2021 | 20 | |
Season 17 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 25.9 | +8.4 | 1986 | 14 |
| Chris Paul | 17.5 | 2022 | 13 | |
Season 18 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 19.2 | +6.8 | 1987 | 18 |
| Chris Paul | 12.4 | 2023 | 7 | |
Season 19 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 14.1 | +14.1 | 1988 | 24 |
| Chris Paul | - | DNP | 2024 | 0 |
Season 20 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 11.1 | +11.1 | 1989 | 15 |
| Chris Paul | - | DNP | 2025 | 0 |