Hakeem Olajuwon vs Karl Malone
Hakeem Olajuwon and Karl Malone were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 18 seasons. On the floor, Karl Malone was the higher-volume scorer (25.0 points per game to 21.8); Karl Malone was the more efficient scorer (57.7% true shooting to 55.3%); Karl Malone created more for others (3.6 assists per game to 2.5). Hakeem Olajuwon holds the edge on accolades — 1 MVP, 2 championships, 2 Finals MVPs and the #12 all-time ranking to Karl Malone's #14.
Career averages
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Karl Malone |
|---|---|---|
| 21.8 | Points / game | 25.0 |
| 11.1 | Rebounds / game | 10.1 |
| 2.5 | Assists / game | 3.6 |
| 1.7 | Steals / game | 1.4 |
| 3.1 | Blocks / game | 0.8 |
| 50.9% | Field goal % | 51.4% |
| 10.6% | 3-point % | 21.1% |
| 70.4% | Free throw % | 73.3% |
| 55.3% | True shooting % | 57.7% |
| 1,238 | Games played | 1,476 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats aren't available for Hakeem Olajuwon.
Advanced stats aren't available for Karl Malone.
Playoff averages
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Karl Malone |
|---|---|---|
| 25.9 | Points / game | 24.7 |
| 11.2 | Rebounds / game | 10.7 |
| 3.2 | Assists / game | 3.2 |
| 1.7 | Steals / game | 1.3 |
| 3.3 | Blocks / game | 0.7 |
| 53.0% | Field goal % | 46.2% |
| 15.4% | 3-point % | 13.7% |
| 72.6% | Free throw % | 72.7% |
| 145 | Playoff games | 193 |
Accolades
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Karl Malone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MVP awards | 2 |
| 2 | Finals MVP | 0 |
| 2 | Championships | 0 |
| 12 | All-Star selections | 12 |
| 6 | All-NBA 1st Team | 11 |
| #12 | All-time GOAT rank | #14 |
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