Hakeem Olajuwon vs Larry Bird
Hakeem Olajuwon and Larry Bird were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 8 seasons. On the floor, Larry Bird was the higher-volume scorer (24.3 points per game to 21.8); Larry Bird was the more efficient scorer (56.5% true shooting to 55.3%); Larry Bird created more for others (6.3 assists per game to 2.5). Larry Bird holds the edge on accolades — 3 MVPs, 3 championships, 2 Finals MVPs and the #10 all-time ranking to Hakeem Olajuwon's #12.
Career averages
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Larry Bird |
|---|---|---|
| 21.8 | Points / game | 24.3 |
| 11.1 | Rebounds / game | 10.0 |
| 2.5 | Assists / game | 6.3 |
| 1.7 | Steals / game | 1.7 |
| 3.1 | Blocks / game | 0.8 |
| 50.9% | Field goal % | 49.4% |
| 10.6% | 3-point % | 34.6% |
| 70.4% | Free throw % | 88.5% |
| 55.3% | True shooting % | 56.5% |
| 1,238 | Games played | 897 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats aren't available for Hakeem Olajuwon.
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Larry Bird's era.
Playoff averages
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Larry Bird |
|---|---|---|
| 25.9 | Points / game | 23.7 |
| 11.2 | Rebounds / game | 10.3 |
| 3.2 | Assists / game | 6.5 |
| 1.7 | Steals / game | 1.8 |
| 3.3 | Blocks / game | 0.9 |
| 53.0% | Field goal % | 47.1% |
| 15.4% | 3-point % | 31.6% |
| 72.6% | Free throw % | 88.5% |
| 145 | Playoff games | 164 |
Accolades
| Hakeem Olajuwon | Stat | Larry Bird |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MVP awards | 3 |
| 2 | Finals MVP | 2 |
| 2 | Championships | 3 |
| 12 | All-Star selections | 10 |
| 6 | All-NBA 1st Team | 9 |
| #12 | All-time GOAT rank | #10 |
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