Complete Stats Comparison of Michael Jordan and Dirk Nowitzki

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Michael Jordan and Dirk Nowitzki 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
Michael Jordan3
(points, assists, steals)		3
(points, assists, steals)		15
seasons
Dirk Nowitzki1
(rebounds)		2
(rebounds, blocks)		21
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
Michael Jordan3
(points, assists, steals)		4
(points, assists, steals, blocks)		13
Playoffs
Dirk Nowitzki1
(rebounds)		1
(rebounds)		15
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
Michael Jordan6
stats		7
stats		1
stat
Dirk Nowitzki5
stats		7
stats		2
stats
they are tied1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Michael Jordan6
stats		8
stats		1
stat
Dirk Nowitzki5
stats		6
stats		2
stats
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, Michael Jordan had better averages in points, assists and steals while Dirk Nowitzki had better average in rebounds. They are tied in blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Michael Jordan had better averages in points (+9.4), field goals made (+4.1), free throws made (+2.0), offensive rebounds (+0.6), assists (+2.9) and steals (+1.5)
- Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.8), defensive rebounds (+1.9) and total rebounds (+1.3)
- Michael Jordan had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+1.1) and personal fouls (+0.2)
-
- Michael Jordan had higher averages in field goals attempted (+7.3) and free throws attempted (+2.8)
- Dirk Nowitzki had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+1.7)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Michael Jordan 30.1
+9.4
Dirk Nowitzki 20.7
Field Goals Made
Michael Jordan 11.4
+4.1
Dirk Nowitzki 7.3
Field Goals Attempted
Michael Jordan 22.9
+7.3
Dirk Nowitzki 15.6
3-Pointers Made
Michael Jordan 0.5
Dirk Nowitzki 1.3
+0.8
3-Pointers Attempted
Michael Jordan 1.7
Dirk Nowitzki 3.4
+1.7
Free Throws Made
Michael Jordan 6.8
+2.0
Dirk Nowitzki 4.8
Free Throws Attempted
Michael Jordan 8.2
+2.8
Dirk Nowitzki 5.4
Offensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 1.6
+0.6
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
Defensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 4.7
Dirk Nowitzki 6.6
+1.9
Total Rebounds
Michael Jordan 6.2
Dirk Nowitzki 7.5
+1.3
Assists
Michael Jordan 5.3
+2.9
Dirk Nowitzki 2.4
Steals
Michael Jordan 2.3
+1.5
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Blocks
Michael Jordan 0.8
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 2.7
+1.1
Dirk Nowitzki 1.6
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 2.6
+0.2
Dirk Nowitzki 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, Michael Jordan had more total points, assists and steals while Dirk Nowitzki had more total rebounds and blocks.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Michael Jordan had more points (+732), field goals made (+1,023), free throws made (+87), offensive rebounds (+200), assists (+1,982) and steals (+1,304)
- Dirk Nowitzki played more years (+6) and games (+450), and had more 3-pointers made (+1,401), defensive rebounds (+5,017), total rebounds (+4,817) and blocks (+388)
- Michael Jordan had more turnovers (+430)
- Dirk Nowitzki had more personal fouls (+818)
- Michael Jordan had more field goals attempted (+803) and free throws attempted (+533)
- Dirk Nowitzki had more 3-pointers attempted (+3,432)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Michael Jordan 15
Dirk Nowitzki 21
+6
Games
Michael Jordan 1,072
Dirk Nowitzki 1,522
+450
Points
Michael Jordan 32,292
+732
Dirk Nowitzki 31,560
Field Goals Made
Michael Jordan 12,192
+1,023
Dirk Nowitzki 11,169
Field Goals Attempted
Michael Jordan 24,537
+803
Dirk Nowitzki 23,734
3-Pointers Made
Michael Jordan 581
Dirk Nowitzki 1,982
+1,401
3-Pointers Attempted
Michael Jordan 1,778
Dirk Nowitzki 5,210
+3,432
Free Throws Made
Michael Jordan 7,327
+87
Dirk Nowitzki 7,240
Free Throws Attempted
Michael Jordan 8,772
+533
Dirk Nowitzki 8,239
Offensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 1,668
+200
Dirk Nowitzki 1,468
Defensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 5,004
Dirk Nowitzki 10,021
+5,017
Total Rebounds
Michael Jordan 6,672
Dirk Nowitzki 11,489
+4,817
Assists
Michael Jordan 5,633
+1,982
Dirk Nowitzki 3,651
Steals
Michael Jordan 2,514
+1,304
Dirk Nowitzki 1,210
Blocks
Michael Jordan 893
Dirk Nowitzki 1,281
+388
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 2,924
+430
Dirk Nowitzki 2,494
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 2,783
Dirk Nowitzki 3,601
+818

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Dirk Nowitzki 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
Michael Jordan 49.7%
+2.6
Dirk Nowitzki 47.1%
3-Point Percentage
Michael Jordan 32.7%
Dirk Nowitzki 38.0%
+5.3
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Jordan 83.5%
Dirk Nowitzki 87.9%
+4.4

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Michael Jordan had better averages in points, assists and steals while Dirk Nowitzki had better average in rebounds. They are tied in blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Michael Jordan had better averages in points (+8.1), field goals made (+3.8), free throws made (+0.8), offensive rebounds (+0.2), assists (+3.2) and steals (+1.1)
- Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.2), defensive rebounds (+3.8) and total rebounds (+3.6)
- Michael Jordan had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+0.8) and personal fouls (+0.2)
-
- Michael Jordan had higher averages in field goals attempted (+6.9) and free throws attempted (+1.6)
- Dirk Nowitzki had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+0.3)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Michael Jordan 33.4
+8.1
Dirk Nowitzki 25.3
Field Goals Made
Michael Jordan 12.2
+3.8
Dirk Nowitzki 8.4
Field Goals Attempted
Michael Jordan 25.1
+6.9
Dirk Nowitzki 18.2
3-Pointers Made
Michael Jordan 0.8
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
+0.2
3-Pointers Attempted
Michael Jordan 2.5
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8
+0.3
Free Throws Made
Michael Jordan 8.2
+0.8
Dirk Nowitzki 7.4
Free Throws Attempted
Michael Jordan 9.9
+1.6
Dirk Nowitzki 8.3
Offensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 1.7
+0.2
Dirk Nowitzki 1.5
Defensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 4.7
Dirk Nowitzki 8.5
+3.8
Total Rebounds
Michael Jordan 6.4
Dirk Nowitzki 10.0
+3.6
Assists
Michael Jordan 5.7
+3.2
Dirk Nowitzki 2.5
Steals
Michael Jordan 2.1
+1.1
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
Blocks
Michael Jordan 0.9
Dirk Nowitzki 0.9
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 3.1
+0.8
Dirk Nowitzki 2.3
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 3.0
+0.2
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8

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, assists, steals and blocks while Dirk Nowitzki had more total rebounds.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Michael Jordan played more games (+34) and had more points (+2,324), field goals made (+968), free throws made (+389), offensive rebounds (+93), assists (+662), steals (+227) and blocks (+29)
- Dirk Nowitzki played more years (+2) and had more 3-pointers made (+1), defensive rebounds (+387) and total rebounds (+294)
- Michael Jordan had more turnovers (+218) and personal fouls (+134)
-
- Michael Jordan had more field goals attempted (+1,855), 3-pointers attempted (+38) and free throws attempted (+562)
-

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Michael Jordan 13
Dirk Nowitzki 15
+2
Games
Michael Jordan 179
+34
Dirk Nowitzki 145
Points
Michael Jordan 5,987
+2,324
Dirk Nowitzki 3,663
Field Goals Made
Michael Jordan 2,188
+968
Dirk Nowitzki 1,220
Field Goals Attempted
Michael Jordan 4,497
+1,855
Dirk Nowitzki 2,642
3-Pointers Made
Michael Jordan 148
Dirk Nowitzki 149
+1
3-Pointers Attempted
Michael Jordan 446
+38
Dirk Nowitzki 408
Free Throws Made
Michael Jordan 1,463
+389
Dirk Nowitzki 1,074
Free Throws Attempted
Michael Jordan 1,766
+562
Dirk Nowitzki 1,204
Offensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 305
+93
Dirk Nowitzki 212
Defensive Rebounds
Michael Jordan 847
Dirk Nowitzki 1,234
+387
Total Rebounds
Michael Jordan 1,152
Dirk Nowitzki 1,446
+294
Assists
Michael Jordan 1,022
+662
Dirk Nowitzki 360
Steals
Michael Jordan 376
+227
Dirk Nowitzki 149
Blocks
Michael Jordan 158
+29
Dirk Nowitzki 129
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 546
+218
Dirk Nowitzki 328
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Michael Jordan 541
+134
Dirk Nowitzki 407

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Michael Jordan 48.7%
+2.5
Dirk Nowitzki 46.2%
3-Point Percentage
Michael Jordan 33.2%
Dirk Nowitzki 36.5%
+3.3
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Jordan 82.8%
Dirk Nowitzki 89.2%
+6.4
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