LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant as the NBA's all-time leading scorer in 2023 and has played longer at an elite level, while Kobe won 5 championships with greater peak dominance and clutch performance reputation during his era.
Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard who won 5 championships and 1 MVP across 20 seasons (1996-2016).
Forward/guard who played 21 seasons (2003-2024) for four teams, becoming NBA's all-time leading scorer with 4 championships and 4 MVPs.
All-Time Points Scored. NBA Championships Won. Career Length at Elite Level. MVP Awards. All-NBA First Team Selections. NBA Finals Appearances. Peak Scoring Average (Best Season)
LeBron James is the greater all-around player with superior longevity, all-time scoring record, and MVP count, making him the GOAT-caliber player in most modern analyses. However, Kobe Bryant achieved more championships earlier, maintained sharper scoring peaks, and remains unmatched for clutch playoff moments and cultural impact during his era. Choose Kobe if you value peak dominance and championship success relative to era; choose LeBron if you prioritize sustained excellence, all-time records, and versatile two-way play.
Kobe Bryant: 33,643 | LeBron James: 40,361
Kobe Bryant: 25.0 PPG career | LeBron James: 27.2 PPG career (through 2026)
Kobe Bryant: 4.7 APG career | LeBron James: 8.5 APG (2025-26)
Kobe Bryant: 5.2 RPG career | LeBron James: 8.3 RPG (2025-26)
Kobe Bryant: 1 MVP | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
Kobe Bryant: 5 Championships | LeBron James: 4 Championships
Kobe Bryant: 5 Finals appearances | LeBron James: 10 Finals appearances
Kobe Bryant: 2 Finals MVPs | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs
Kobe Bryant: 55.4% TS% career | LeBron James: 66.7% TS% (2025-26)
Kobe Bryant: 20 seasons (1996-2016) | LeBron James: 23 seasons (2003-2026)
Kobe Bryant: 6'6" (198cm) | LeBron James: 6'9" (206cm)
Kobe Bryant: 18 All-Star selections | LeBron James: 20 All-Star selections
Kobe Bryant: 5.3 RPG | LeBron James: N/A
Kobe Bryant: 1.5 SPG | LeBron James: N/A
Kobe Bryant: Not documented as perfect | LeBron James: N/A
Kobe Bryant: 1,346 games | LeBron James: N/A
Kobe Bryant: 20 seasons (1996-2016) | LeBron James: N/A
Kobe Bryant: 33,643 points | LeBron James: 40,511 points
Kobe Bryant: 20 seasons (1996-2016) | LeBron James: 21 seasons (2003-2024)
Kobe Bryant: 11 selections | LeBron James: 10 selections
Kobe Bryant: 7 Finals (5 wins) | LeBron James: 10 Finals (4 wins)
Kobe Bryant: 5,995 | LeBron James: 10,452
Kobe Bryant: 5 championships | LeBron James: 4 championships
Kobe Bryant: 44.7% | LeBron James: 50.5%
Kobe Bryant: 5 championships | LeBron James: 4
Kobe Bryant: 18 All-Stars | LeBron James: 19 All-Stars
Kobe Bryant: 1,346 | LeBron James: 1,610
Kobe Bryant: 33.1% | LeBron James: 34.4%
Kobe Bryant: 25.0 PPG | LeBron James: 27.2
Kobe Bryant: 44.7% | LeBron James: 50.2%
Kobe Bryant: 5 Finals MVPs | LeBron James: 4
Kobe Bryant: 11 selections | LeBron James: N/A
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 10,452 rebounds
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 1 NBA Cup MVP
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 0 titles
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 31.4 (2005-06)
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 1 DPOY award
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 21 seasons
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40,474 points
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4 MVP awards
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40,361 points
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40% (4 of 10 Finals)
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 19 (of 21)
Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 17.9 (10.5 RPG + 7.4 APG)
How to choose between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James. Contains 88 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James.
Who is the better scorer: Kobe or LeBron?
Kobe achieved higher peak scoring with 35.4 PPG in 2005-06, earning him 'The Black Mamba' reputation for pure scoring dominance. LeBron scored 31.4 PPG at his peak but accumulated 40,511 career points (6,868 more) through superior longevity and consistency over 21 seasons. Kobe was the more explosive scorer; LeBron was the more reliable scorer over time.
Kobe won 5 championships (2000-2002 with Shaq, 2009-2010 solo), while LeBron won 4 (2012-2013 with Heat, 2016 with Cavs, 2020 with Lakers). Kobe played for one franchise (Lakers) with Shaquille O'Neal during the three-peat era. LeBron's championships span multiple teams and eras, demonstrating adaptability but also indicating different team dynamics and era-dependent competitiveness.
LeBron is more complete defensively with 10 All-Defensive selections versus Kobe's 12, but LeBron's advantage comes from superior court vision (7,555 career assists vs Kobe's 6,306), rebounding versatility, and true point-forward capability. Kobe was a pure scorer and perimeter defender. Modern analytics favor LeBron's two-way value, though Kobe's elite positional defense in the 2000s was similarly dominant for his era.
Most basketball analysts rank LeBron in the top 1-2 all-time (with Michael Jordan), while Kobe typically ranks 4th-8th all-time. LeBron's combination of scoring longevity, MVP count (4 vs 1), sustained two-way excellence, and all-time records give him the statistical edge. However, Kobe's peak dominance, championship efficiency, and clutch reputation in the 2000s ensure both remain generational talents in basketball history.
Kobe won 3 championships (2000-2002) alongside Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most dominant centers ever, but went 2 consecutive championships (2009-2010) with more balanced rosters. LeBron played with All-Star teammates in Miami (2012-2013 Heat Big Three: Wade/Bosh) and occasionally in Cleveland/Lakers but carried weaker rosters to Finals in 2007 and 2018. Kobe's peak teammates (Shaq) were arguably more dominant; LeBron's longevity required more roster flexibility.
How to Choose Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
All-Time Points Scored: Kobe Bryant has 33,643 points, while LeBron James has 40,511 points.
NBA Championships Won: Kobe Bryant has 5 titles, while LeBron James has 4 titles.
Career Length at Elite Level: Kobe Bryant has 20 seasons (1996-2016), while LeBron James has 21 seasons (2003-2024).
MVP Awards: Kobe Bryant has 1 MVP (2008), while LeBron James has 4 MVPs (2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2020).
All-NBA First Team Selections: Kobe Bryant has 11 times, while LeBron James has 10 times.
NBA Finals Appearances: Kobe Bryant has 7 Finals (5 wins), while LeBron James has 10 Finals (4 wins).
Consider: Peak Scoring Average (Best Season)
Peak Scoring Average (Best Season): Kobe Bryant has 35.4 PPG (2005-06), while LeBron James has 31.4 PPG (2009-10).