Complete Stats Comparison of Larry Bird and Dwight Howard

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Larry Bird and Dwight Howard 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
Larry Bird3
(points, assists, steals)		3
(points, assists, steals)		13
seasons
Dwight Howard2
(rebounds, blocks)		2
(rebounds, blocks)		18
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Larry Bird3
(points, assists, steals)		4
(points, rebounds, assists, steals)		12
Playoffs
Dwight Howard2
(rebounds, blocks)		1
(blocks)		12
Playoffs

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Larry Bird7
stats		7
stats		2
stats
Dwight Howard5
stats		7
stats		1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Larry Bird7
stats		10
stats		2
stats
Dwight Howard5
stats		3
stats		1
stat
they are tied1
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...

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Larry Bird had better averages in points, assists and steals while Dwight Howard had better averages in rebounds and blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Larry Bird had better averages in points (+8.6), field goals made (+3.9), 3-pointers made (+0.7), free throws made (+0.1), assists (+5.0) and steals (+0.8)
- Dwight Howard had better averages in offensive rebounds (+1.3), defensive rebounds (+0.4), total rebounds (+1.8) and blocks (+1.0)
- Larry Bird had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+0.4)
- Dwight Howard had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.6)
- Larry Bird had higher averages in field goals attempted (+9.6) and 3-pointers attempted (+1.8)
- Dwight Howard had higher average in free throws attempted (+2.6)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Larry Bird 24.3
+8.6
Dwight Howard 15.7
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 9.6
+3.9
Dwight Howard 5.7
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 19.3
+9.6
Dwight Howard 9.7
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 0.7
+0.7
Dwight Howard 0.0
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 1.9
+1.8
Dwight Howard 0.1
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 4.4
+0.1
Dwight Howard 4.3
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 5.0
Dwight Howard 7.6
+2.6
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 2.0
Dwight Howard 3.3
+1.3
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 8.0
Dwight Howard 8.4
+0.4
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 10.0
Dwight Howard 11.8
+1.8
Assists
Larry Bird 6.3
+5.0
Dwight Howard 1.3
Steals
Larry Bird 1.7
+0.8
Dwight Howard 0.9
Blocks
Larry Bird 0.8
Dwight Howard 1.8
+1.0
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 3.1
+0.4
Dwight Howard 2.7
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2.5
Dwight Howard 3.1
+0.6

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Larry Bird had more total points, assists and steals while Dwight Howard had more total rebounds and blocks.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Larry Bird had more points (+2,306), field goals made (+1,540), 3-pointers made (+627), assists (+4,019) and steals (+475)
- Dwight Howard played more years (+5) and games (+345), and had more free throws made (+1,401), offensive rebounds (+2,394), defensive rebounds (+3,259), total rebounds (+5,653) and blocks (+1,473)
-
- Dwight Howard had more turnovers (+486) and personal fouls (+1,633)
- Larry Bird had more field goals attempted (+5,318) and 3-pointers attempted (+1,624)
- Dwight Howard had more free throws attempted (+4,984)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Larry Bird 13
Dwight Howard 18
+5
Games
Larry Bird 897
Dwight Howard 1,242
+345
Points
Larry Bird 21,791
+2,306
Dwight Howard 19,485
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 8,591
+1,540
Dwight Howard 7,051
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 17,334
+5,318
Dwight Howard 12,016
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 649
+627
Dwight Howard 22
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 1,727
+1,624
Dwight Howard 103
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 3,960
Dwight Howard 5,361
+1,401
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 4,471
Dwight Howard 9,455
+4,984
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 1,757
Dwight Howard 4,151
+2,394
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 7,217
Dwight Howard 10,476
+3,259
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 8,974
Dwight Howard 14,627
+5,653
Assists
Larry Bird 5,695
+4,019
Dwight Howard 1,676
Steals
Larry Bird 1,556
+475
Dwight Howard 1,081
Blocks
Larry Bird 755
Dwight Howard 2,228
+1,473
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2,816
Dwight Howard 3,302
+486
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2,279
Dwight Howard 3,912
+1,633

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 Dwight Howard had better field goal percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird 49.6%
Dwight Howard 58.7%
+9.1
3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird 37.6%
+16.2
Dwight Howard 21.4%
Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird 88.6%
+31.9
Dwight Howard 56.7%

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Larry Bird had better averages in points, assists and steals while Dwight Howard had better averages in rebounds and blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Larry Bird had better averages in points (+8.5), field goals made (+3.5), 3-pointers made (+0.5), free throws made (+1.1), assists (+5.3) and steals (+1.0)
- Dwight Howard had better averages in offensive rebounds (+1.3), defensive rebounds (+0.2), total rebounds (+1.5) and blocks (+1.1)
- Larry Bird had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+0.5)
- Dwight Howard had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.9)
- Larry Bird had higher averages in field goals attempted (+9.6) and 3-pointers attempted (+1.4)
- Dwight Howard had higher average in free throws attempted (+1.8)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Larry Bird 23.8
+8.5
Dwight Howard 15.3
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 8.9
+3.5
Dwight Howard 5.4
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 18.8
+9.6
Dwight Howard 9.2
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 0.5
+0.5
Dwight Howard 0.0
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 1.5
+1.4
Dwight Howard 0.1
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 5.5
+1.1
Dwight Howard 4.4
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 6.2
Dwight Howard 8.0
+1.8
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 2.2
Dwight Howard 3.5
+1.3
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 8.1
Dwight Howard 8.3
+0.2
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 10.3
Dwight Howard 11.8
+1.5
Assists
Larry Bird 6.5
+5.3
Dwight Howard 1.2
Steals
Larry Bird 1.8
+1.0
Dwight Howard 0.8
Blocks
Larry Bird 0.9
Dwight Howard 2.0
+1.1
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 3.1
+0.5
Dwight Howard 2.6
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2.8
Dwight Howard 3.7
+0.9

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Larry Bird had more total points, rebounds, assists and steals while Dwight Howard had more total blocks.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Larry Bird played more games (+39) and had more points (+1,988), field goals made (+777), 3-pointers made (+79), free throws made (+355), defensive rebounds (+291), total rebounds (+210), assists (+913) and steals (+202)
- Dwight Howard had more offensive rebounds (+81) and blocks (+103)
- Larry Bird had more turnovers (+183)
- Dwight Howard had more personal fouls (+1)
- Larry Bird had more field goals attempted (+1,934), 3-pointers attempted (+242) and free throws attempted (+15)
-

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Larry Bird 12
Dwight Howard 12
Games
Larry Bird 164
+39
Dwight Howard 125
Points
Larry Bird 3,897
+1,988
Dwight Howard 1,909
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 1,458
+777
Dwight Howard 681
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 3,090
+1,934
Dwight Howard 1,156
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 80
+79
Dwight Howard 1
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 249
+242
Dwight Howard 7
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 901
+355
Dwight Howard 546
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 1,012
+15
Dwight Howard 997
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 360
Dwight Howard 441
+81
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 1,323
+291
Dwight Howard 1,032
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 1,683
+210
Dwight Howard 1,473
Assists
Larry Bird 1,062
+913
Dwight Howard 149
Steals
Larry Bird 296
+202
Dwight Howard 94
Blocks
Larry Bird 145
Dwight Howard 248
+103
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 506
+183
Dwight Howard 323
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 466
Dwight Howard 467
+1

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 Dwight Howard had better field goal percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird 47.2%
Dwight Howard 58.9%
+11.7
3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird 32.1%
+17.8
Dwight Howard 14.3%
Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird 89.0%
+34.2
Dwight Howard 54.8%
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