Complete Stats Comparison of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Gary Payton

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Gary Payton during their NBA careers. First we show you a summary of who had better numbers on each statistical category and then we compare in detail the performance of each of these stars in the regular season and the Playoffs, both in total stats and averages per game.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings

This in-depth comparison includes all the numbers, if you prefer a simplified version of this analysis with only the basic statistics, you will find it at the career comparison of these two NBA stars.

On this page we compare:

Who has better stats? Main stats / All stats
Regular Season: Averages / Totals / Pecentages
Playoffs: Averages / Totals / Pecentages

Main Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar3
(points, rebounds, blocks)		3
(points, rebounds, blocks)		20
seasons
Gary Payton2
(assists, steals)		2
(assists, steals)		17
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar3
(points, rebounds, blocks)		3
(points, rebounds, blocks)		18
Playoffs
Gary Payton2
(assists, steals)		2
(assists, steals)		15
Playoffs

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar7
stats		10
stats		1
stat
Gary Payton5
stats		4
stats		2
stats
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar7
stats		9
stats		2
stats
Gary Payton5
stats		5
stats		1
stat

- "Better Career Total" includes games and years played as stats.

- For turnovers and personal fouls, lower numbers are better.

- Field goal, free-throw and three-point attempts are not included on these tables since it can't be said that higher is better.

Now, lets compare all their stats in detail, one by one...

Notes: Offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Turnovers started to be recorded in 1977-78. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80.
(*) = some years in his career don't have the stat.

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points, rebounds and blocks while Gary Payton had better averages in assists and steals.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points (+8.3), field goals made (+3.7), free throws made (+1.9), offensive rebounds (+1.4), defensive rebounds (+4.7), total rebounds (+7.3) and blocks (+2.4)
- Gary Payton had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.8), assists (+3.1) and steals (+0.9)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+0.4) and personal fouls (+0.6)
-
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher averages in field goals attempted (+4.1) and free throws attempted (+2.6)
- Gary Payton had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+2.7)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24.6
+8.3
Gary Payton 16.3
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 10.2
+3.7
Gary Payton 6.5
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18.1
+4.1
Gary Payton 14.0
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Gary Payton 0.8
+0.8
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Gary Payton 2.7
+2.7
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4.3
+1.9
Gary Payton 2.4
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.0
+2.6
Gary Payton 3.4
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.4
+1.4 *
Gary Payton 1.0
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7.6
+4.7 *
Gary Payton 2.9
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 11.2
+7.3
Gary Payton 3.9
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.6
Gary Payton 6.7
+3.1
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.9
*
Gary Payton 1.8
+0.9
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
+2.4 *
Gary Payton 0.2
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.7
+0.4 *
Gary Payton 2.3
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.0
+0.6
Gary Payton 2.4

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more total points, rebounds and blocks while Gary Payton had more total assists and steals.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played more years (+3) and games (+225), and had more points (+16,574), field goals made (+7,129), free throws made (+3,447), offensive rebounds (+1,583), defensive rebounds (+5,517), total rebounds (+12,171) and blocks (+2,904)
- Gary Payton had more 3-pointers made (+1,131), assists (+3,306) and steals (+1,285)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more personal fouls (+1,440)
- Gary Payton had more turnovers (+503)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more field goals attempted (+9,609) and free throws attempted (+4,824)
- Gary Payton had more 3-pointers attempted (+3,552)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 20
+3
Gary Payton 17
Games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,560
+225
Gary Payton 1,335
Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
+16,574
Gary Payton 21,813
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 15,837
+7,129
Gary Payton 8,708
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 28,307
+9,609
Gary Payton 18,698
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1
*
Gary Payton 1,132
+1,131
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18
*
Gary Payton 3,570
+3,552
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6,712
+3,447
Gary Payton 3,265
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9,304
+4,824
Gary Payton 4,480
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,975
+1,583 *
Gary Payton 1,392
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9,394
+5,517 *
Gary Payton 3,877
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 17,440
+12,171
Gary Payton 5,269
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5,660
Gary Payton 8,966
+3,306
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,160
*
Gary Payton 2,445
+1,285
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3,189
+2,904 *
Gary Payton 285
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,527
*
Gary Payton 3,030
+503
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4,657
+1,440
Gary Payton 3,217

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Gary Payton had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better field goal percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 55.9%
+9.3
Gary Payton 46.6%
3-Point Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5.6%
*
Gary Payton 31.7%
+26.1
Free Throw Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 72.1%
Gary Payton 72.9%
+0.8

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points, rebounds and blocks while Gary Payton had better averages in assists and steals.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points (+10.3), field goals made (+4.3), free throws made (+2.4), offensive rebounds (+1.6), defensive rebounds (+3.7), total rebounds (+6.8) and blocks (+2.2)
- Gary Payton had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.9), assists (+2.1) and steals (+0.4)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+0.7) and personal fouls (+0.6)
-
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher averages in field goals attempted (+6.1) and free throws attempted (+3.2)
- Gary Payton had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+2.8)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24.3
+10.3
Gary Payton 14.0
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9.9
+4.3
Gary Payton 5.6
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18.7
+6.1
Gary Payton 12.6
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Gary Payton 0.9
+0.9
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Gary Payton 2.8
+2.8
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4.4
+2.4
Gary Payton 2.0
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.0
+3.2
Gary Payton 2.8
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
+1.6 *
Gary Payton 1.0
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.5
+3.7 *
Gary Payton 2.8
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 10.5
+6.8
Gary Payton 3.7
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.2
Gary Payton 5.3
+2.1
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1.0
*
Gary Payton 1.4
+0.4
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.4
+2.2 *
Gary Payton 0.2
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
+0.7 *
Gary Payton 1.9
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.4
+0.6
Gary Payton 2.8

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more total points, rebounds and blocks while Gary Payton had more total assists and steals.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played more years (+3) and games (+83), and had more points (+3,607), field goals made (+1,501), free throws made (+742), offensive rebounds (+357), defensive rebounds (+846), total rebounds (+1,906) and blocks (+444)
- Gary Payton had more 3-pointers made (+137), assists (+44) and steals (+27)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more turnovers (+150) and personal fouls (+363)
-
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more field goals attempted (+2,484) and free throws attempted (+983)
- Gary Payton had more 3-pointers attempted (+431)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18
+3
Gary Payton 15
Games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 237
+83
Gary Payton 154
Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5,762
+3,607
Gary Payton 2,155
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,356
+1,501
Gary Payton 855
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4,422
+2,484
Gary Payton 1,938
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0
*
Gary Payton 137
+137
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4
*
Gary Payton 435
+431
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,050
+742
Gary Payton 308
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,419
+983
Gary Payton 436
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 505
+357 *
Gary Payton 148
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,273
+846 *
Gary Payton 427
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,481
+1,906
Gary Payton 575
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 767
Gary Payton 811
+44
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 189
*
Gary Payton 216
+27
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 476
+444 *
Gary Payton 32
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 447
+150 *
Gary Payton 297
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 797
+363
Gary Payton 434

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better field goal percentage and free throw percentage while Gary Payton had better 3-point percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 53.3%
+9.2
Gary Payton 44.1%
3-Point Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0%
*
Gary Payton 31.5%
+31.5
Free Throw Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 74.0%
+3.4
Gary Payton 70.6%
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