Karl Malone vs Michael Jordan
Karl Malone and Michael Jordan were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 18 seasons. On the floor, Michael Jordan was the higher-volume scorer (30.1 points per game to 25.0); Karl Malone was the more efficient scorer (57.7% true shooting to 56.9%); Michael Jordan created more for others (5.3 assists per game to 3.6). Michael Jordan holds the edge on accolades — 5 MVPs, 6 championships, 6 Finals MVPs and the #1 all-time ranking to Karl Malone's #14.
Career averages
| Karl Malone | Stat | Michael Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| 25.0 | Points / game | 30.1 |
| 10.1 | Rebounds / game | 6.2 |
| 3.6 | Assists / game | 5.3 |
| 1.4 | Steals / game | 2.4 |
| 0.8 | Blocks / game | 0.8 |
| 51.4% | Field goal % | 49.6% |
| 21.1% | 3-point % | 28.0% |
| 73.3% | Free throw % | 83.3% |
| 57.7% | True shooting % | 56.9% |
| 1,476 | Games played | 1,072 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats aren't available for Karl Malone.
Advanced stats aren't available for Michael Jordan.
Playoff averages
| Karl Malone | Stat | Michael Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| 24.7 | Points / game | 33.5 |
| 10.7 | Rebounds / game | 6.4 |
| 3.2 | Assists / game | 5.7 |
| 1.3 | Steals / game | 2.1 |
| 0.7 | Blocks / game | 0.9 |
| 46.2% | Field goal % | 48.8% |
| 13.7% | 3-point % | 34.3% |
| 72.7% | Free throw % | 83.0% |
| 193 | Playoff games | 179 |
Accolades
| Karl Malone | Stat | Michael Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MVP awards | 5 |
| 0 | Finals MVP | 6 |
| 0 | Championships | 6 |
| 12 | All-Star selections | 13 |
| 11 | All-NBA 1st Team | 10 |
| #14 | All-time GOAT rank | #1 |
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