Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Kobe Bryant: Career Scoring Comparison
We break down the scoring legacies of Kobe Bryant 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 Kobe Bryant are among the most prolific scorers in NBA history—combining for an staggering season total of 72,030 points—and they also have two of the all-time best scoring averages. Here we compare all their scoring stats.
By taking a look at their career numbers for points, the first conclusion one can arrive at is that Kobe Bryant has better scoring averages both in the regular season and Playoffs while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more total points in both stages. 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, Kobe Bryant averages 0.4 points more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his 20 seasons (25.0 points against 24.6). On the other hand Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored a total of 4,744 points more than Kobe Bryant (38,387 vs. 33,643).
Points Per Game | Seasons | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.6 | 20 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 25.0 | +0.4 | 20 |
Total Points | Seasons | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | +4,744 | 20 |
| Kobe Bryant | 33,643 | 20 | |
Scoring Titles | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 2 |  |
| Kobe Bryant | 2 | |
Points in the Playoffs
Similar to what happens in the regular season, in the NBA postseason Kobe Bryant has a better career point average than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (+1.3 points per game) while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored more points (+122).
Points Per Game | Playoffs | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.3 | 18 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 25.6 | +1.3 | 15 |
Total Points | Playoffs | ||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 5,762 | +122 | 18 |
| Kobe Bryant | 5,640 | 15 | |
Points by Thresholds
Regular Season
70+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 0 | |||
| Kobe Bryant | 1 | +1 | ||
60+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 0 | |||
| Kobe Bryant | 6 | +6 | ||
20+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,122 | +181 | ||
| Kobe Bryant | 941 | |||
10+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,509 | +255 | ||
| Kobe Bryant | 1,254 | |||
1+ Point Games (games with points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1,559 | +228 | ||
| Kobe Bryant | 1,331 | |||
0 Point Games (games without points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1 | |||
| Kobe Bryant | 15 | +14 | ||
Playoffs
50+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 0 | |||
| Kobe Bryant | 1 | +1 | ||
20+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 169 | +2 | ||
| Kobe Bryant | 167 | |||
10+ Point Games | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 223 | +19 | ||
| Kobe Bryant | 204 | |||
1+ Point Games (games with points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 237 | +19 | ||
| Kobe Bryant | 218 | |||
0 Point Games (games without points) | ||||
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 0 | |||
| Kobe Bryant | 2 | +2 | ||
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: | +0.4 | +1.5 | +1.4 | +11.2 | +1.4 | +4.1 | +27.3 | +1.9 | +1.4 | +11.6 | +214 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 25.0 | 8.7 | 19.5 | 44.7 | 1.4 | 4.1 | 32.9 | 6.2 | 7.4 | 83.7 | 20 | 1,346 |
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: | +4,744 | +4,118 | +2,107 | +11.2 | +1,826 | +5,528 | +27.3 | +1,666 | +707 | +11.6 | +214 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 33,643 | 11,719 | 26,200 | 44.7 | 1,827 | 5,546 | 32.9 | 8,378 | 10,011 | 83.7 | 20 | 1,346 |
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: | +1.3 | +0.7 | +1.8 | +8.5 | +1.3 | +4.0 | +33.1 | +1.6 | +1.4 | +7.6 | +3 | +17 |
| Kobe Bryant | 25.6 | 9.2 | 20.5 | 44.8 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 33.1 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 81.6 | 15 | 220 |
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: | +122 | +342 | +77 | +8.5 | +292 | +878 | +33.1 | +270 | +198 | +7.6 | +3 | +17 |
| Kobe Bryant | 5,640 | 2,014 | 4,499 | 44.8 | 292 | 882 | 33.1 | 1,320 | 1,617 | 81.6 | 15 | 220 |
Year by Year Points Average Comparison
= NBA Scoring Leader
= NBA ChampionRegular Season
Rookie Season | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.8 | +21.2 | 1970 | 82 |
| Kobe Bryant | 7.6 | 1997 | 71 | |
Season 2 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 31.7 | +16.3 | 1971 | 82 |
| Kobe Bryant | 15.4 | 1998 | 79 | |
Season 3 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 34.8 | +14.9 | 1972 | 81 |
| Kobe Bryant | 19.9 | 1999 | 50 | |
Season 4 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 30.2 | +7.7 | 1973 | 76 |
| Kobe Bryant | 22.5 | 2000 | 66 | |
Season 5 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.0 | 1974 | 81 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 28.5 | +1.5 | 2001 | 68 |
Season 6 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 30.0 | +4.8 | 1975 | 65 |
| Kobe Bryant | 25.2 | 2002 | 80 | |
Season 7 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.7 | 1976 | 82 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 30.0 | +2.3 | 2003 | 82 |
Season 8 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.2 | +2.2 | 1977 | 82 |
| Kobe Bryant | 24.0 | 2004 | 65 | |
Season 9 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 25.8 | 1978 | 62 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 27.6 | +1.8 | 2005 | 66 |
Season 10 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.8 | 1979 | 80 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 35.4 | +11.6 | 2006 | 80 |
Season 11 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 24.8 | 1980 | 82 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 31.6 | +6.8 | 2007 | 77 |
Season 12 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.2 | 1981 | 80 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 28.3 | +2.1 | 2008 | 82 |
Season 13 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.9 | 1982 | 76 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 26.8 | +2.9 | 2009 | 82 |
Season 14 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.8 | 1983 | 79 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 27.0 | +5.2 | 2010 | 73 |
Season 15 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.5 | 1984 | 80 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 25.3 | +3.8 | 2011 | 82 |
Season 16 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 22.0 | 1985 | 79 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 27.9 | +5.9 | 2012 | 58 |
Season 17 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.4 | 1986 | 79 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 27.3 | +3.9 | 2013 | 78 |
Season 18 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 17.5 | +3.7 | 1987 | 78 |
| Kobe Bryant | 13.8 | 2014 | 6 | |
Playoffs
Rookie Season | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 35.2 | +27.0 | 1970 | 10 |
| Kobe Bryant | 8.2 | 1997 | 9 | |
Season 2 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.6 | +17.9 | 1971 | 14 |
| Kobe Bryant | 8.7 | 1998 | 11 | |
Season 3 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.7 | +8.9 | 1972 | 11 |
| Kobe Bryant | 19.8 | 1999 | 8 | |
Season 4 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 22.8 | +1.7 | 1973 | 6 |
| Kobe Bryant | 21.1 | 2000 | 22 | |
Season 5 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 32.2 | +2.8 | 1974 | 16 |
| Kobe Bryant | 29.4 | 2001 | 16 | |
Season 6 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | - | DNP | 1975 | 0 |
| Kobe Bryant | 26.6 | +26.6 | 2002 | 19 |
Season 7 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | - | DNP | 1976 | 0 |
| Kobe Bryant | 32.1 | +32.1 | 2003 | 12 |
Season 8 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 34.6 | +10.1 | 1977 | 11 |
| Kobe Bryant | 24.5 | 2004 | 22 | |
Season 9 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.0 | +27.0 | 1978 | 3 |
| Kobe Bryant | - | DNP | 2005 | 0 |
Season 10 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 28.5 | +0.6 | 1979 | 8 |
| Kobe Bryant | 27.9 | 2006 | 7 | |
Season 11 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 31.9 | 1980 | 15 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 32.8 | +0.9 | 2007 | 5 |
Season 12 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 26.7 | 1981 | 3 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 30.1 | +3.4 | 2008 | 21 |
Season 13 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 20.4 | 1982 | 14 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 30.2 | +9.8 | 2009 | 23 |
Season 14 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 27.1 | 1983 | 15 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 29.2 | +2.1 | 2010 | 23 |
Season 15 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 23.9 | +1.1 | 1984 | 21 |
| Kobe Bryant | 22.8 | 2011 | 10 | |
Season 16 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 21.9 | 1985 | 19 | |
| Kobe Bryant | 30.0 | +8.1 | 2012 | 12 |
Season 17 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 25.9 | +25.9 | 1986 | 14 |
| Kobe Bryant | - | DNP | 2013 | 0 |
Season 18 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 19.2 | +19.2 | 1987 | 18 |
| Kobe Bryant | - | DNP | 2014 | 0 |
Season 19 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 14.1 | +14.1 | 1988 | 24 |
| Kobe Bryant | - | DNP | 2015 | 0 |
Season 20 | Points per game | Year | Games | |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 11.1 | +11.1 | 1989 | 15 |
| Kobe Bryant | - | DNP | 2016 | 0 |