Who has more NBA championships, LeBron or Kareem?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 6 NBA championships compared to LeBron James' 4 championships. Kareem won his titles primarily with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, while LeBron won his with the Miami Heat (2 titles), Cleveland Cavaliers (1 title), and Los Angeles Lakers (1 title).

Who won more MVP awards?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won 6 regular season MVP awards, the most in NBA history at the time of comparison. LeBron James has won 4 regular season MVP awards. However, LeBron won 1 NBA Cup MVP (Finals MVP in modern format), while Kareem never won that specific award.

How many seasons did each player play?

LeBron James played 23 seasons from 2003-2026, making him one of the longest-tenured elite performers in NBA history. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played 20 seasons from 1969-1989. LeBron's additional 3 seasons allowed him to accumulate more total statistics despite fewer championships and MVPs.

Who was a better rebounder?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the superior rebounder, winning 1 league rebounding title during his career as a dominant NBA center. LeBron James never led the league in rebounding, though he has been an excellent rebounder for his positions (guard/forward). Kareem's size and position gave him advantages in the paint.

Which player had better longevity and consistency?

LeBron James demonstrated superior longevity, maintaining All-Star caliber performance for 23 seasons through 2026, including competitive seasons in his 39-40 age range (2024-2026). Kareem played 20 elite seasons with peak dominance in the 1970s-80s but did not maintain the same level into his later years. LeBron's ability to adapt positions and modern training methods contributed to his extended prime.

LeBron James vs Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Updated May 10, 2026

LeBron James

All-time NBA great who played 23 seasons (2003-2026) with 4 championships across 3 teams.

Fans valuing career longevity, multi-positional excellence, and sustained elite performance over 20+ years

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Legendary NBA center who won 6 championships and 6 MVP awards in 20 seasons (1969-1989).

Fans prioritizing peak dominance, championship pedigree, and individual awards over career length

Short Answer

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won 6 NBA championships and 6 MVP awards compared to LeBron James' 4 championships and 4 MVPs, but LeBron played 3 additional seasons and won an NBA Cup MVP that Kareem never achieved. Kareem dominated as a rebounder with 1 rebounding title, while LeBron has been more versatile across multiple positions.

Our Verdict

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar achieved greater individual accolades with 6 championships and 6 MVP awards during his 20-season career, establishing himself as the most dominant player of his era with an iconic skyhook. LeBron James' 23-season career demonstrates unparalleled longevity and versatility across positions, with his NBA Cup MVP representing his ability to perform on the biggest stages. Choose Kareem if valuing peak dominance and individual hardware; choose LeBron if valuing sustained excellence, positional versatility, and career longevity.

LeBron James7

8Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

NBA Championships Won: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wins (6 championships vs 4 championships)

🔹

Season MVP Awards: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wins (6 MVPs vs 4 MVPs)

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NBA Career Seasons: LeBron James wins (23 seasons (2003-2026) vs 20 seasons (1969-1989))

See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	LeBron James	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	Diff
Career Points	40,474	—	—
Championships	4	—	—
MVP Awards(count)	4	—	—
Career Assists(assists)	10,420	—	—
Career Rebounds	10,768	—

Key Differences

LeBron James

Attribute

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

4 championships

NBA Championships Won

6 championships🏆

4 MVPs

Season MVP Awards

6 MVPs🏆

23 seasons (2003-2026)🏆

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Last updated: May 10, 2026AI generated

NBA Championships Won

LeBron James

4 championships

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

6 championships🏆

Season MVP Awards

LeBron James

4 MVPs

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

6 MVPs🏆

NBA Career Seasons

LeBron James

23 seasons (2003-2026)🏆

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

20 seasons (1969-1989)

NBA Cup MVP Awards

LeBron James

1 award🏆

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

0 awards

Rebounding Titles (League Leader)

LeBron James

0 rebounding titles

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1 rebounding title🏆

Playing Style Versatility

LeBron James

Multi-position (Guard/Forward)🏆

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Center-focused position

Career Longevity at Elite Level

LeBron James

23 seasons maintaining All-Star caliber🏆

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

20 seasons with peak dominance in 1970s-80s

Full Comparison

Attribute	LeBron James	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Career Points	40,474	—
Career Rebounds	10,768	—
Career Three-Pointers Made	~600	—

Championships	4	—
Finals MVP Awards	4	—

MVP Awards(count)	4	—

Career Assists(assists)	10,420	—
Career Assists Per Game(APG)	8.5 APG (2025-26)	—

NBA Championships(titles)	4	—
NBA Championships Won(championships)	4 championships	6 championships

All-Star Appearances	20	—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)	27.2 PPG career (through 2026)	—
2026 Season / Peak Season PPG(PPG)	28.3 PPG (2025-26)	—

Career Rebounds Per Game(RPG)	8.3 RPG (2025-26)	—

MVP Awards(count)	4 MVPs	—
Finals MVP Awards(count)	4 Finals MVPs	—
All-Star Selections(selections)	20 All-Star selections	—
Regular Season MVP Awards(awards)	4 MVPs	6 MVPs

NBA Championships(rings)	4 Championships	—
Finals Appearances(count)	10 Finals appearances	—

True Shooting Percentage(%)	66.7% TS% (2025-26)	—

Career Longevity(seasons)	23 seasons (2003-2026)	—

Height / Physical Presence(inches)	6'9" (206cm)	—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)	27.2 PPG	—

NBA Career Length(seasons)	23 seasons	20 seasons

NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards(awards)	1 NBA Cup MVP	0 NBA Cup MVPs

Rebounding League Leader Titles(titles)	0 titles	1 title

Primary Playing Positions	Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)	Center (position-specific)

Era of Dominance	2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)	1969-1989 (pre-3-point era emphasis)

LeBron James

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Career Points

40,474

—

Career Rebounds

10,768

—

Career Three-Pointers Made

~600

—

Championships

—

Finals MVP Awards

—

MVP Awards(count)

—

Career Assists(assists)

10,420

—

Career Assists Per Game(APG)

8.5 APG (2025-26)

—

NBA Championships(titles)

—

NBA Championships Won(championships)

4 championships

6 championships

All-Star Appearances

—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)

27.2 PPG career (through 2026)

—

2026 Season / Peak Season PPG(PPG)

28.3 PPG (2025-26)

—

Career Rebounds Per Game(RPG)

8.3 RPG (2025-26)

—

MVP Awards(count)

4 MVPs

—

Finals MVP Awards(count)

4 Finals MVPs

—

All-Star Selections(selections)

20 All-Star selections

—

Regular Season MVP Awards(awards)

4 MVPs

6 MVPs

NBA Championships(rings)

4 Championships

—

Finals Appearances(count)

10 Finals appearances

—

True Shooting Percentage(%)

66.7% TS% (2025-26)

—

Career Longevity(seasons)

23 seasons (2003-2026)

—

Height / Physical Presence(inches)

6'9" (206cm)

—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)

27.2 PPG

—

NBA Career Length(seasons)

23 seasons

20 seasons

NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards(awards)

1 NBA Cup MVP

0 NBA Cup MVPs

Rebounding League Leader Titles(titles)

0 titles

1 title

Primary Playing Positions

Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)

Center (position-specific)

Era of Dominance

2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)

1969-1989 (pre-3-point era emphasis)

Full Comparison

Attribute	LeBron James	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Career Points	40,474	—
Career Rebounds	10,768	—
Career Three-Pointers Made	~600	—

Championships	4	—
Finals MVP Awards	4	—

MVP Awards(count)	4	—

Career Assists(assists)	10,420	—
Career Assists Per Game(APG)	8.5 APG (2025-26)	—

NBA Championships(titles)	4	—
NBA Championships Won(championships)	4 championships	6 championships

All-Star Appearances	20	—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)	27.2 PPG career (through 2026)	—
2026 Season / Peak Season PPG(PPG)	28.3 PPG (2025-26)	—

Career Rebounds Per Game(RPG)	8.3 RPG (2025-26)	—

MVP Awards(count)	4 MVPs	—
Finals MVP Awards(count)	4 Finals MVPs	—
All-Star Selections(selections)	20 All-Star selections	—
Regular Season MVP Awards(awards)	4 MVPs	6 MVPs

NBA Championships(rings)	4 Championships	—
Finals Appearances(count)	10 Finals appearances	—

True Shooting Percentage(%)	66.7% TS% (2025-26)	—

Career Longevity(seasons)	23 seasons (2003-2026)	—

Height / Physical Presence(inches)	6'9" (206cm)	—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)	27.2 PPG	—

NBA Career Length(seasons)	23 seasons	20 seasons

NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards(awards)	1 NBA Cup MVP	0 NBA Cup MVPs

Rebounding League Leader Titles(titles)	0 titles	1 title

Primary Playing Positions	Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)	Center (position-specific)

Era of Dominance	2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)	1969-1989 (pre-3-point era emphasis)

LeBron James

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Career Points

40,474

—

Career Rebounds

10,768

—

Career Three-Pointers Made

~600

—

Championships

—

Finals MVP Awards

—

MVP Awards(count)

—

Career Assists(assists)

10,420

—

Career Assists Per Game(APG)

8.5 APG (2025-26)

—

NBA Championships(titles)

—

NBA Championships Won(championships)

4 championships

6 championships

All-Star Appearances

—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)

27.2 PPG career (through 2026)

—

2026 Season / Peak Season PPG(PPG)

28.3 PPG (2025-26)

—

Career Rebounds Per Game(RPG)

8.3 RPG (2025-26)

—

MVP Awards(count)

4 MVPs

—

Finals MVP Awards(count)

4 Finals MVPs

—

All-Star Selections(selections)

20 All-Star selections

—

Regular Season MVP Awards(awards)

4 MVPs

6 MVPs

NBA Championships(rings)

4 Championships

—

Finals Appearances(count)

10 Finals appearances

—

True Shooting Percentage(%)

66.7% TS% (2025-26)

—

Career Longevity(seasons)

23 seasons (2003-2026)

—

Height / Physical Presence(inches)

6'9" (206cm)

—

Career Points Per Game(PPG)

27.2 PPG

—

NBA Career Length(seasons)

23 seasons

20 seasons

NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards(awards)

1 NBA Cup MVP

0 NBA Cup MVPs

Rebounding League Leader Titles(titles)

0 titles

1 title

Primary Playing Positions

Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)

Center (position-specific)

Era of Dominance

2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)

1969-1989 (pre-3-point era emphasis)

LeBron James vs Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

LeBron James

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Short Answer

Our Verdict

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Pros

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Pros

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LeBron James vs Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

LeBron James

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Short Answer

Our Verdict

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Key Differences

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Full Comparison

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Pros & Cons

LeBron James

Pros

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Learn More

Wikipedia

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Full Comparison

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