Complete Stats Comparison of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Larry Bird

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Larry Bird 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 / Games against each other

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
Larry Bird2
(assists, steals)		2
(assists, steals)		13
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
Larry Bird2
(assists, steals)		2
(assists, steals)		12
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-Jabbar6
stats		10
stats		1
stat
Larry Bird6
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-Jabbar6
stats		9
stats		1
stat
Larry Bird6
stats		5
stats		2
stats

- "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 Larry Bird had better averages in assists and steals.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points (+0.3), field goals made (+0.6), offensive rebounds (+0.4), total rebounds (+1.2) and blocks (+1.8)
- Larry Bird had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.7), free throws made (+0.1), defensive rebounds (+0.4), assists (+2.7) and steals (+0.8)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.5)
- Larry Bird had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+0.4)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher average in free throws attempted (+1.0)
- Larry Bird had higher averages in field goals attempted (+1.2) and 3-pointers attempted (+1.9)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24.6
+0.3
Larry Bird 24.3
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 10.2
+0.6
Larry Bird 9.6
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18.1
Larry Bird 19.3
+1.2
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Larry Bird 0.7
+0.7
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Larry Bird 1.9
+1.9
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4.3
Larry Bird 4.4
+0.1
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.0
+1.0
Larry Bird 5.0
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.4
+0.4 *
Larry Bird 2.0
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7.6
*
Larry Bird 8.0
+0.4
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 11.2
+1.2
Larry Bird 10.0
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.6
Larry Bird 6.3
+2.7
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.9
*
Larry Bird 1.7
+0.8
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
+1.8 *
Larry Bird 0.8
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.7
*
Larry Bird 3.1
+0.4
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.0
+0.5
Larry Bird 2.5

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 Larry Bird had more total assists and steals.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played more years (+7) and games (+663), and had more points (+16,596), field goals made (+7,246), free throws made (+2,752), offensive rebounds (+1,218), defensive rebounds (+2,177), total rebounds (+8,466) and blocks (+2,434)
- Larry Bird had more 3-pointers made (+648), assists (+35) and steals (+396)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more personal fouls (+2,378)
- Larry Bird had more turnovers (+289)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more field goals attempted (+10,973) and free throws attempted (+4,833)
- Larry Bird had more 3-pointers attempted (+1,709)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 20
+7
Larry Bird 13
Games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,560
+663
Larry Bird 897
Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
+16,596
Larry Bird 21,791
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 15,837
+7,246
Larry Bird 8,591
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 28,307
+10,973
Larry Bird 17,334
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1
*
Larry Bird 649
+648
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18
*
Larry Bird 1,727
+1,709
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6,712
+2,752
Larry Bird 3,960
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9,304
+4,833
Larry Bird 4,471
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,975
+1,218 *
Larry Bird 1,757
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9,394
+2,177 *
Larry Bird 7,217
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 17,440
+8,466
Larry Bird 8,974
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5,660
Larry Bird 5,695
+35
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,160
*
Larry Bird 1,556
+396
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3,189
+2,434 *
Larry Bird 755
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,527
*
Larry Bird 2,816
+289
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4,657
+2,378
Larry Bird 2,279

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Larry Bird 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%
+6.3
Larry Bird 49.6%
3-Point Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5.6%
*
Larry Bird 37.6%
+32.0
Free Throw Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 72.1%
Larry Bird 88.6%
+16.5

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 Larry Bird had better averages in assists and steals.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points (+0.5), field goals made (+1.0), offensive rebounds (+0.4), total rebounds (+0.2) and blocks (+1.5)
- Larry Bird had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.5), free throws made (+1.1), defensive rebounds (+1.6), assists (+3.3) and steals (+0.8)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.6)
- Larry Bird had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+0.5)
-
- Larry Bird had higher averages in field goals attempted (+0.1), 3-pointers attempted (+1.5) and free throws attempted (+0.2)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24.3
+0.5
Larry Bird 23.8
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9.9
+1.0
Larry Bird 8.9
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18.7
Larry Bird 18.8
+0.1
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Larry Bird 0.5
+0.5
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Larry Bird 1.5
+1.5
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4.4
Larry Bird 5.5
+1.1
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.0
Larry Bird 6.2
+0.2
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
+0.4 *
Larry Bird 2.2
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.5
*
Larry Bird 8.1
+1.6
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 10.5
+0.2
Larry Bird 10.3
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.2
Larry Bird 6.5
+3.3
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1.0
*
Larry Bird 1.8
+0.8
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.4
+1.5 *
Larry Bird 0.9
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
*
Larry Bird 3.1
+0.5
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.4
+0.6
Larry Bird 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 Larry Bird had more total assists and steals.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played more years (+6) and games (+73), and had more points (+1,865), field goals made (+898), free throws made (+149), offensive rebounds (+145), total rebounds (+798) and blocks (+331)
- Larry Bird had more 3-pointers made (+80), defensive rebounds (+50), assists (+295) and steals (+107)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more personal fouls (+331)
- Larry Bird had more turnovers (+59)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more field goals attempted (+1,332) and free throws attempted (+407)
- Larry Bird had more 3-pointers attempted (+245)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18
+6
Larry Bird 12
Games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 237
+73
Larry Bird 164
Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5,762
+1,865
Larry Bird 3,897
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,356
+898
Larry Bird 1,458
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4,422
+1,332
Larry Bird 3,090
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0
*
Larry Bird 80
+80
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4
*
Larry Bird 249
+245
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,050
+149
Larry Bird 901
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,419
+407
Larry Bird 1,012
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 505
+145 *
Larry Bird 360
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,273
*
Larry Bird 1,323
+50
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,481
+798
Larry Bird 1,683
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 767
Larry Bird 1,062
+295
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 189
*
Larry Bird 296
+107
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 476
+331 *
Larry Bird 145
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 447
*
Larry Bird 506
+59
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 797
+331
Larry Bird 466

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 53.3%
+6.1
Larry Bird 47.2%
3-Point Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0%
*
Larry Bird 32.1%
+32.1
Free Throw Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 74.0%
Larry Bird 89.0%
+15.0
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