Michael Jordan won 6 NBA championships with 5 MVP awards and a 33.4 PPG career average, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the all-time scoring record with 38,387 points across 20 seasons and 6 championships. Jordan is widely considered the greatest player ever due to his peak dominance and clutch performance, while Kareem's longevity and scoring consistency rank him second in most all-time rankings.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs Michael Jordan — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
All-time leading NBA scorer with 38,387 points who won 6 championships across 20 seasons.
Six-time NBA champion widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time.
Career Scoring Total. Regular Season MVP Awards. NBA Championships Won. Career Scoring Average (PPG). Finals MVP Awards. Career Length. Career Field Goal Percentage
Michael Jordan edges out Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the greatest player debate due to his superior peak performance, unmatched Finals success (6-0 record), higher scoring efficiency, and dominance across multiple statistical categories when adjusted for era. Choose Kareem if you value longevity, career consistency, and all-time scoring records; choose Jordan if you prioritize peak excellence, championship-clinching moments, and overall competitive greatness.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 6 championships | Michael Jordan: 6
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 6 | Michael Jordan: 5
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 20 | Michael Jordan: 15
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 0 NBA Cup MVPs | Michael Jordan: N/A
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 1 title | Michael Jordan: N/A
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Center (position-specific) | Michael Jordan: N/A
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 1969-1989 (pre-3-point era emphasis) | Michael Jordan: N/A
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 2 | Michael Jordan: 6
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387 | Michael Jordan: 32,292
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 55.9% | Michael Jordan: 50.3%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 24.6 | Michael Jordan: 30.1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 15 | Michael Jordan: 13
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 20 | Michael Jordan: 15 seasons
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 3 | Michael Jordan: 6
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 6 | Michael Jordan: 6
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 6-3 | Michael Jordan: 6-0
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 30.1 | Michael Jordan: 30.1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 6
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 5,633 assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 6,672
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 33.5 PPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 83.4%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 32.7%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 6.2 RPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 2.3 SPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 1,071 games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 15 seasons (1984-2003)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 2.9
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 5 MVP awards
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 10 scoring titles
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: $3 billion+
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 9
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 37.1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 8.0
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 6-0 (100%)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 50.5%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 10
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 30.1
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 6-0
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 37.1 (1986-87)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 1,072
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 32,292 points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 5 DPOY awards
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 5.3 APG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 6.2
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 32,292
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 9 selections
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 1.89
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 11
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 15 seasons (1984-1993, 1995-1998, 2001-2003)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 13 selections
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 33.4 PPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 65.4%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 33.4
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 13
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 100%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 11.5 (6.2 RPG + 5.3 APG)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 15 seasons
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 5
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 27.9%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: N/A | Michael Jordan: 15
How to choose between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan
Compare Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs Michael Jordan
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs Michael Jordan — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs Michael Jordan. Contains 85 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs Michael Jordan — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs Michael Jordan.
Who is considered the greatest basketball player of all time?
Michael Jordan is widely considered the GOAT by most basketball experts, analysts, and fans. In a 2023 ESPN poll, 68% of NBA players and analysts ranked Jordan #1. However, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are frequently cited as top-3 candidates. Jordan's 6-0 Finals record, 5 MVPs, and peak dominance give him the edge over Kareem's 20-year longevity and all-time scoring record.
Why does Kareem have more career points than Jordan if Jordan was better?
Kareem played 5 additional seasons (20 vs 15), allowing him to accumulate 6,095 more points despite averaging 8.8 fewer PPG than Jordan. Kareem entered the league at age 22 after his college career and played until age 42, prioritizing durability. Jordan peaked harder but retired earlier, resulting in lower career totals but higher per-game impact and Finals success (6-0 vs 2-6 Finals record).
How do their playoff performances compare?
Jordan dramatically outperformed Kareem in playoffs: Jordan averaged 33.4 PPG in playoffs (tied with career average) with 6 Finals MVPs on a perfect 6-0 championship record. Kareem averaged 24.5 PPG in playoffs with only 2 Finals MVPs, though he won 6 championships. Jordan's Finals efficiency was 52.3% FG vs Kareem's 54.6%, but Jordan's scoring volume and clutch moments defined playoff dominance.
Which era was more competitive, the 1980s or 1990s?
The 1980s and 1990s featured different competitive landscapes. The 1980s had stronger defensive rules and deeper talent pools (Bird, Magic, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins). The 1990s saw more perimeter-oriented play and zone defense restrictions, potentially favoring scorers like Jordan. Most analysts consider the 1990s slightly more wide-open for scoring, making Jordan's dominance more impressive relative to available spacing and three-point shooting.
What made Kareem's skyhook so effective?
Kareem's skyhook was virtually unguardable due to its release point (highest in basketball), requiring shooters to reach 11+ feet high to block it. The technique required minimal footwork, allowing Kareem to score efficiently from mid-post against any defender for 20 years. He made approximately 87% of his career skyhook attempts (estimated 8,000+ made), making it statistically his most efficient shot type.
How to Choose Between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan
Career Scoring Total: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 38,387 points, while Michael Jordan has 32,292 points.
Regular Season MVP Awards: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 3 MVPs, while Michael Jordan has 5 MVPs.
NBA Championships Won: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 6 titles, while Michael Jordan has 6 titles.
Career Scoring Average (PPG): Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 24.6 PPG, while Michael Jordan has 33.4 PPG.
Finals MVP Awards: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 2 Finals MVPs, while Michael Jordan has 6 Finals MVPs.
Career Length: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 20 seasons (1969-1989), while Michael Jordan has 15 seasons (1984-1999).
Career Field Goal Percentage: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 55.9%, while Michael Jordan has 50.5%.