Complete Stats Comparison of Larry Bird and Michael Jordan

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Larry Bird and Michael Jordan 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
Larry Bird2
(rebounds, assists)		2
(rebounds, assists)		13
seasons
Michael Jordan2
(points, steals)		3
(points, steals, blocks)		15
seasons
they are tied1
(blocks)
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Larry Bird2
(rebounds, assists)		2
(rebounds, assists)		12
Playoffs
Michael Jordan2
(points, steals)		3
(points, steals, blocks)		13
Playoffs
they are tied1
(blocks)

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Larry Bird6
stats		7
stats		2
stats
Michael Jordan5
stats		7
stats		1
stat
they are tied1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Larry Bird5
stats		6
stats		1
stat
Michael Jordan5
stats		8
stats		2
stats
they are tied2
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...

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 rebounds and assists while Michael Jordan had better averages in points and steals. They are tied in blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Larry Bird had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.2), offensive rebounds (+0.4), defensive rebounds (+3.3), total rebounds (+3.8) and assists (+1.0)
- Michael Jordan had better averages in points (+5.8), field goals made (+1.8), free throws made (+2.4) and steals (+0.6)
- Larry Bird had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+0.4)
- Michael Jordan had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.1)
- Larry Bird had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+0.2)
- Michael Jordan had higher averages in field goals attempted (+3.6) and free throws attempted (+3.2)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Larry Bird 24.3
Michael Jordan 30.1
+5.8
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 9.6
Michael Jordan 11.4
+1.8
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 19.3
Michael Jordan 22.9
+3.6
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 0.7
+0.2
Michael Jordan 0.5
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 1.9
+0.2
Michael Jordan 1.7
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 4.4
Michael Jordan 6.8
+2.4
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 5.0
Michael Jordan 8.2
+3.2
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 2.0
+0.4
Michael Jordan 1.6
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 8.0
+3.3
Michael Jordan 4.7
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 10.0
+3.8
Michael Jordan 6.2
Assists
Larry Bird 6.3
+1.0
Michael Jordan 5.3
Steals
Larry Bird 1.7
Michael Jordan 2.3
+0.6
Blocks
Larry Bird 0.8
Michael Jordan 0.8
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 3.1
+0.4
Michael Jordan 2.7
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2.5
Michael Jordan 2.6
+0.1

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Larry Bird had more 3-pointers made (+68), offensive rebounds (+89), defensive rebounds (+2,213), total rebounds (+2,302) and assists (+62)
- Michael Jordan played more years (+2) and games (+175), and had more points (+10,501), field goals made (+3,601), free throws made (+3,367), steals (+958) and blocks (+138)
-
- Michael Jordan had more turnovers (+108) and personal fouls (+504)
-
- Michael Jordan had more field goals attempted (+7,203), 3-pointers attempted (+51) and free throws attempted (+4,301)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Larry Bird 13
Michael Jordan 15
+2
Games
Larry Bird 897
Michael Jordan 1,072
+175
Points
Larry Bird 21,791
Michael Jordan 32,292
+10,501
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 8,591
Michael Jordan 12,192
+3,601
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 17,334
Michael Jordan 24,537
+7,203
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 649
+68
Michael Jordan 581
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 1,727
Michael Jordan 1,778
+51
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 3,960
Michael Jordan 7,327
+3,367
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 4,471
Michael Jordan 8,772
+4,301
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 1,757
+89
Michael Jordan 1,668
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 7,217
+2,213
Michael Jordan 5,004
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 8,974
+2,302
Michael Jordan 6,672
Assists
Larry Bird 5,695
+62
Michael Jordan 5,633
Steals
Larry Bird 1,556
Michael Jordan 2,514
+958
Blocks
Larry Bird 755
Michael Jordan 893
+138
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2,816
Michael Jordan 2,924
+108
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2,279
Michael Jordan 2,783
+504

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 Michael Jordan had better field goal percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird 49.6%
Michael Jordan 49.7%
+0.1
3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird 37.6%
+4.9
Michael Jordan 32.7%
Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird 88.6%
+5.1
Michael Jordan 83.5%

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 rebounds and assists while Michael Jordan had better averages in points and steals. They are tied in blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Larry Bird had better averages in offensive rebounds (+0.5), defensive rebounds (+3.4), total rebounds (+3.9) and assists (+0.8)
- Michael Jordan had better averages in points (+9.6), field goals made (+3.3), 3-pointers made (+0.3), free throws made (+2.7) and steals (+0.3)
-
- Michael Jordan had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.2)
-
- Michael Jordan had higher averages in field goals attempted (+6.3), 3-pointers attempted (+1.0) and free throws attempted (+3.7)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Larry Bird 23.8
Michael Jordan 33.4
+9.6
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 8.9
Michael Jordan 12.2
+3.3
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 18.8
Michael Jordan 25.1
+6.3
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 0.5
Michael Jordan 0.8
+0.3
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 1.5
Michael Jordan 2.5
+1.0
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 5.5
Michael Jordan 8.2
+2.7
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 6.2
Michael Jordan 9.9
+3.7
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 2.2
+0.5
Michael Jordan 1.7
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 8.1
+3.4
Michael Jordan 4.7
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 10.3
+3.9
Michael Jordan 6.4
Assists
Larry Bird 6.5
+0.8
Michael Jordan 5.7
Steals
Larry Bird 1.8
Michael Jordan 2.1
+0.3
Blocks
Larry Bird 0.9
Michael Jordan 0.9
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 3.1
Michael Jordan 3.1
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 2.8
Michael Jordan 3.0
+0.2

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Larry Bird had more offensive rebounds (+55), defensive rebounds (+476), total rebounds (+531) and assists (+40)
- Michael Jordan played more years (+1) and games (+15), and had more points (+2,090), field goals made (+730), 3-pointers made (+68), free throws made (+562), steals (+80) and blocks (+13)
-
- Michael Jordan had more turnovers (+40) and personal fouls (+75)
-
- Michael Jordan had more field goals attempted (+1,407), 3-pointers attempted (+197) and free throws attempted (+754)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Larry Bird 12
Michael Jordan 13
+1
Games
Larry Bird 164
Michael Jordan 179
+15
Points
Larry Bird 3,897
Michael Jordan 5,987
+2,090
Field Goals Made
Larry Bird 1,458
Michael Jordan 2,188
+730
Field Goals Attempted
Larry Bird 3,090
Michael Jordan 4,497
+1,407
3-Pointers Made
Larry Bird 80
Michael Jordan 148
+68
3-Pointers Attempted
Larry Bird 249
Michael Jordan 446
+197
Free Throws Made
Larry Bird 901
Michael Jordan 1,463
+562
Free Throws Attempted
Larry Bird 1,012
Michael Jordan 1,766
+754
Offensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 360
+55
Michael Jordan 305
Defensive Rebounds
Larry Bird 1,323
+476
Michael Jordan 847
Total Rebounds
Larry Bird 1,683
+531
Michael Jordan 1,152
Assists
Larry Bird 1,062
+40
Michael Jordan 1,022
Steals
Larry Bird 296
Michael Jordan 376
+80
Blocks
Larry Bird 145
Michael Jordan 158
+13
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 506
Michael Jordan 546
+40
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Larry Bird 466
Michael Jordan 541
+75

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird 47.2%
Michael Jordan 48.7%
+1.5
3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird 32.1%
Michael Jordan 33.2%
+1.1
Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird 89.0%
+6.2
Michael Jordan 82.8%
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