NBA Crunch-Time: Kobe's 1,072 Career Games vs. Jordan's 1,072 Career Games

When the Lakers took on the Hornets on Feb. 4, Kobe Bryant played in his 1,072 career regular season game. Michael Jordan played 1,072 career regular season games.

Kobe is in the midst of his 15th season and Jordan played in 15 different seasons (over a 19-year span).

This is the absolute perfect time to compare the two players' career numbers.

We will compare the two players' numbers in 21 different categories, and they are: Games Played, Games Started, Minutes Played, Field Goals Made, Field Goals Attempted, Field Goal Percentage, Free Throws Made, Free Throws Attempted, Free Throw Percentage, Three-Pointers Made, Three-Pointers Attempted, Three-Point Percentage, Offensive Rebounds, Defensive Rebounds, Total Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Blocks, Turnovers, Personal Fouls and Total Points. 

This way, we will see how close Bryant got to his idol at up to 1,072 games played. 

Games Played

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Lakers is surrounded by Antonio McDyess #34 and Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs Los Angeles during an 89-88 Spur win at Staples Center on February 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO

Bryant has played 15 consecutive seasons and played 1,072 career games (age 18 to 32).

Jordan played until age 30 then he came back from age 32 to 35, and then he came back from age 38 to 40. In total, he played in 15 different seasons and ended up with 1,072 career games (age 21 to 40).

Advantage: Bryant—Since he has never retired, Bryant will obviously play more career games.

Games Started

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PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards drives from the perimeter during the final NBA game of his career, played against the Philadelphia 76ers at First Union Center on March 30, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Six

After 1,072 games played, Bryant started 924 games for the Lakers (86 percent).

After 1,072 games played, Jordan started 1,039 games for the Bulls and Wizards (97 percent).

Advantage: Jordan—He was a starter from his first game ever, all the way to his last (except for a few times when he was 40 years old on the Wizards). 

Minutes Played

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WASHINGTON - APRIL 14: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards shoots a jump shot over Michael Doleac #51 of the New York Knicks during Jordan's final home game at MCI Center on April 14, 2003 in Washington, DC. The Knicks won 93-79. NOTE TO USER:

After 1,072 games, Bryant totaled 39,088 minutes played (36.5 minutes per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan totaled 41,010 minutes played (38.3 minutes per game).

Advantage: Jordan—Jordan played over 3,000 minutes as a rookie and over 3,000 minutes at age 40. Bryant averaged 15 minutes a game as a rookie and 34 minutes a game at age 32. 

Field Goals Made

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LOS ANGELES - MARCH 28: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket past Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Staples Center on March 28, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 108-94. NOTE TO

After 1,072 games, Bryant hit 9,432 field goals (8.8 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan hit 12,192 field goals (11.4 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—Wow. Wow. Shooting percentage is truly a big factor in the long run, and one not to be taken lightly. Wow!

Field Goals Attempted

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WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 23: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards shoots against Raja Bell #11 and Michael Finley #4 of the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA game at MCI Center on February 23, 2003 in Washington, D.C. The Mavericks won in overtime 10

After 1,072 games, Bryant attempted 20,728 field goals (19.3 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan attempted 24,537 field goals (22.9 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—He shot way more and made way more as we previously saw. Are you a gunner if you shoot 50 percent for your career or just the greatest scorer ever?

Field Goal Percentage

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 21: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards takes the ball to the basket past Kerry Kittles #30 of the New Jersey Nets during the NBA game at MCI Center on February 21, 2003 in Washington, D.C. The Wizards won 89-86. NOTE TO

After 1,072 games, Bryant shot 45.5 percent from the field.

After 1,072 games, Jordan shot 49.7 percent from the field. 

Advantage: Jordan—Those percentage point differences seem small, but over this many games the totals are amazingly different for the two players. In fact, the percentage difference is really big. 

Free Throws Made

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards shoots a free throw during the final NBA game of his career, played against the Philadelphia 76ers at First Union Center on March 30, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers wo

After 1,072 games, Bryant made 6,859 free throws (6.4 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan made 7,327 free throws (6.8 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—He took more shots and was, overall, fouled more too.

Free Throws Attempted

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards makes his final point on a free throw during the final NBA game of his career, played against the Philadelphia 76ers at First Union Center on March 30, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvan

After 1,072 games, Bryant took 8,190 free throws (7.6 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan took 8,772 free throws (8.2 per game).

Advantage: Jordan.

Free Throw Percentage

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled by Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a 101-94 Laker win at the Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User ex

After 1,072 games, Bryant made 83.7 percent of his free throws.

After 1,072 games, Jordan made 83.5 percent of his free throws.

Advantage: Bryant—0.2 percent higher.

Three-Pointers Made

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics in the second half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-96. (P

After 1,072 games, Kobe made 1,370 three-pointers (1.3 per game).

After 1,072 games, Michael made 581 three-pointers (0.5 per game).

Advantage: Bryant—Only 1.3 made per game for his career? WTF? That's it? Seems like more. That is how perception versus reality works. 

Three-Pointers Attempted

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 12: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 12, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

After 1,072 games, Bryant took 4,041 three-pointers (3.8 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan took 1,778 three-pointers (1.7 per game).

Advantage: Bryant—Took 3.8 per game and made 1.3 per game. Oh well, not everyone wants to make half of their shots. 

Three-Point Percentage

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on January 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 109-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

After 1,072 games, Bryant hit on 33.9 percent of his three-pointers.

After 1,072 games, Jordan hit on 32.7 percent of his three-pointers.

Advantage: Bryant—After all the three-pointers, he tops MJ by 1.2 percent. Wow. Maybe he should've taken less. 

Offensive Rebounds

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

7 Jun 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot as Adam Keefe #31 and Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz try to stop him during the NBA Finals game 3 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 96-54. Mand

After 1,072 games, Bryant accumulated 1,266 offensive rebounds (1.2 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan accumulated 1,668 offensive rebounds (1.6 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—Jordan was a tad shorter than Bryant, but he had more hops and followed up on shots more.

Defensive Rebounds

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18 Oct 1997: Guard Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls grabs the rebound during an exhibition game between the Chicago Bulls and the Olympiakos during the McDonald''s Championship at the Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy in Paris, France. The Bulls

After 1,072 games, Bryant grabbed 4,406 defensive rebounds (4.1 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan grabbed 5,004 defensive rebounds (4.7 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—He was once Defensive Player of the Year, so defensive rebounds for MJ is also a given. 

Total Rebounds

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25 Nov 1996: Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (right) and forward Dennis Rodman go up for a rebound during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The Bulls won the game, 88-84. Mandatory Credit: J.

After 1,072 career games, Kobe grabbed 5,672 total rebounds (5.3 per game).

After 1,072 career games, Michael grabbed 6,672 total rebounds (6.2 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—Exactly 1,000 more rebounds in exactly the same amount of games. WOW. 

Assists

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14 Nov 1992: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls moves down the court during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

After 1,072 games, Bryant dished off for 5,020 assists (4.7 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan dished off for 5,633 assists (5.3 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—Career high 8.0 assists per game in 1988-89, to go with eight rebounds and 32.5 PPG. 

Steals

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

5 Jun 1991: Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers shields the ball from Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls during game two of the 1991 NBA finals. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT

After 1,072 games, Bryant recorded 1,617 steals (1.5 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan recorded 2,514 steals (2.3 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—He led the NBA in steals a record (tied with Stockton) three times. 

Blocks

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Guard Doc Rivers of the Atlanta Hawks tries to fend off guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls during a game at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia.

After 1,072 games, Bryant blocked 569 shots (0.5 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan blocked 893 shots (0.8 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—Recorded more blocked shots than any guard in NBA history to this very day.

Turnovers (Lower Numbers Are Better)

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

1989: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls points and walks with the ball during the game. Mandatory Credit: Tim DeFrisco /Allsport

After 1,072 games, Bryant turned the ball over 3,133 times (2.9 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan turned the ball over 2,924 times (2.7 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—He turned the ball over less, which is better—turning the ball over is a bad thing.

Personal Fouls (Again, Lower Numbers Are Better)

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1987-1988: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls moves to steel the ball during the game. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport

After 1,072 games, Bryant has fouled 2,822 times (2.6 average).

After 1,072 games, Jordan fouled 2,783 times (2.6 average).

Advantage: Jordan—He had 39 less fouls in the same amount of games.

Total Points

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1985-86: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls.

After 1,072 games, Bryant scored 27,093 points (25.3 per game).

After 1,072 games, Jordan scored 32,292 points (30.1 per game).

Advantage: Jordan—A lot has been made regarding Bryant passing up certain legends on the total points list, but as we see here, he will have to play MANY, MANY more games to equal Jordan. Jordan had 5,000 more points in the same amount of games.

Conclusion

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 9: Michael Jordan (Washington Wizards) #23 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars jokes with Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) #8 of the Western Conference All-Stars during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on February 9, 2003 at Philips Aren

Comparison should be concluded easily at this point in the slideshow. 

P.S.: This story did not include playoff games, but Jordan was six-for-six in the NBA Finals with six NBA Finals MVPs and Bryant was five-for-seven in the NBA Finals with two NBA Finals MVPs after 1,072 games.

No cigar, Kobe—Jordan remains the greatest ever.