Bill Laimbeer vs. Karl Malone Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Karl Malone and Bill Laimbeer, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Games against each other

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Bill Laimbeer played 14 years in the NBA, 5 less than Karl Malone, who played 19. Bill Laimbeer had the first of his seasons in 1980-81, while Karl Malone had his rookie season in 1985-86. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player
Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Bill Laimbeer 14 9 1980-81 to 1993-94
Karl Malone 19 19 1985-86 to 2003-04

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19

Rookie Season

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1980-811985-86
Team Cleveland CavaliersUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 81 30.4 9.8 3.3 5.3 8.6 2.7 0.7 1.0 1.6 4.1 4.2 8.3 .503 0.0 0.0 - 1.4 1.9 .765
Karl Malone 81 30.6 14.9 2.1 6.7 8.9 2.9 1.3 0.5 3.4 3.6 6.2 12.5 .496 0.0 0.0 .000 2.4 5.0 .481
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 4 36.0 21.8 1.5 6.0 7.5 1.0 2.0 0.0 1.5 4.5 9.5 18.0 .528 0.0 0.0 - 2.8 6.5 .423

Season 2

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1981-821986-87
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 80 22.9 9.0 2.9 4.8 7.7 1.3 0.5 0.8 1.5 3.7 3.3 6.7 .494 0.1 0.2 .308 2.3 2.9 .793
Karl Malone 82 34.8 21.7 3.4 7.0 10.4 1.9 1.3 0.7 2.9 3.9 8.9 17.3 .512 0.0 0.1 .000 3.9 6.6 .598
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 5 40.0 20.0 3.0 6.6 9.6 1.2 2.2 0.8 3.4 4.0 7.4 17.6 .420 0.0 0.0 - 5.2 7.2 .722

Season 3

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1982-831987-88
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 82 35.0 13.6 3.4 8.7 12.1 3.2 0.6 1.4 2.1 3.9 5.3 10.7 .497 0.0 0.2 .154 3.0 3.8 .790
Karl Malone 82 39.0 27.7 3.4 8.6 12.0 2.4 1.4 0.6 4.0 3.6 10.5 20.1 .520 0.0 0.1 .000 6.7 9.6 .700
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 11 44.9 29.7 3.0 8.8 11.8 1.5 1.2 0.6 3.5 3.2 11.2 23.2 .482 0.0 0.1 .000 7.4 10.2 .723

Season 4

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1983-841988-89
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdJazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 82 34.9 17.3 4.0 8.2 12.2 1.8 0.6 1.0 1.8 3.3 6.7 12.7 .530 0.0 0.1 .000 3.9 4.5 .866
Karl Malone 80 39.1 29.1 3.2 7.4 10.7 2.7 1.8 0.9 3.6 3.6 10.1 19.5 .519 0.1 0.2 .313 8.8 11.5 .766
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 5 33.0 15.2 2.8 9.6 12.4 2.4 0.8 0.6 2.4 4.6 5.8 10.2 .569 0.0 0.0 - 3.6 4.0 .900
Karl Malone 3 45.3 30.7 7.3 9.0 16.3 1.3 1.0 0.3 4.3 5.3 11.0 22.0 .500 0.0 0.0 - 8.7 10.7 .813

Season 5

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1984-851989-90
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf SemisJazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 82 35.3 17.5 3.6 8.8 12.4 1.9 0.8 0.9 1.6 3.8 7.3 14.4 .506 0.0 0.2 .222 3.0 3.7 .797
Karl Malone 82 38.1 31.0 2.8 8.3 11.1 2.8 1.5 0.6 3.7 3.2 11.1 19.8 .562 0.2 0.5 .372 8.5 11.1 .762
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 9 36.1 14.7 4.0 6.7 10.7 1.7 0.8 0.8 1.8 3.6 5.3 11.9 .449 0.0 0.2 .000 4.0 5.7 .706
Karl Malone 5 40.6 25.2 3.2 7.0 10.2 2.2 2.2 1.0 2.4 4.4 9.2 21.0 .438 0.0 0.2 .000 6.8 9.0 .756

Season 6

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1985-861990-91
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement Rebounds Leader-
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdJazz Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 82 35.3 16.6 3.7 9.4 13.1 1.8 0.7 0.8 1.6 3.5 6.6 13.5 .492 0.0 0.2 .286 3.2 3.9 .834
Karl Malone 82 40.3 29.0 2.9 8.9 11.8 3.3 1.1 1.0 3.0 3.3 10.3 19.6 .527 0.0 0.2 .286 8.3 10.8 .770
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 4 42.0 22.5 5.0 9.0 14.0 0.3 0.5 0.8 2.0 4.8 8.5 17.0 .500 0.3 0.3 1.000 5.3 5.8 .913
Karl Malone 9 42.6 29.7 2.6 10.8 13.3 3.2 1.0 1.2 2.9 3.9 10.6 23.2 .455 0.0 0.9 .000 8.6 10.1 .846

Season 7

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1986-871991-92
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf FinalsJazz Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 82 34.8 15.4 3.0 8.7 11.6 1.8 0.9 0.8 1.5 3.5 6.2 12.3 .501 0.1 0.3 .286 3.0 3.3 .894
Karl Malone 81 37.7 28.0 2.8 8.4 11.2 3.0 1.3 0.6 3.1 2.8 9.9 18.7 .526 0.0 0.2 .176 8.3 10.7 .778
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 15 36.2 12.3 2.0 8.4 10.4 2.5 1.0 0.8 1.3 3.5 5.6 10.9 .515 0.1 0.3 .200 1.0 1.6 .625
Karl Malone 16 43.0 29.1 2.7 8.6 11.3 2.6 1.4 1.2 2.9 3.6 9.3 17.8 .521 0.0 0.1 .000 10.6 13.1 .805

Season 8

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1987-881992-93
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Pistons Lost NBA FinalsJazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 82 35.3 13.5 2.0 8.1 10.1 2.4 0.8 1.0 1.7 3.5 5.5 11.3 .493 0.2 0.5 .333 2.3 2.6 .874
Karl Malone 82 37.8 27.0 2.8 8.4 11.2 3.8 1.5 1.0 2.9 3.2 9.7 17.6 .552 0.0 0.2 .200 7.5 10.2 .740
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 23 33.9 11.9 1.9 7.7 9.6 1.9 0.8 0.8 1.3 3.3 5.0 10.9 .456 0.2 0.7 .294 1.7 2.0 .889
Karl Malone 5 43.2 24.0 2.4 8.0 10.4 2.0 1.2 0.4 4.0 4.2 8.8 19.4 .454 0.2 0.4 .500 6.2 7.6 .816

Season 9

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1988-891993-94
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 81 32.6 13.7 1.7 7.9 9.6 2.2 0.6 1.2 1.6 3.2 5.5 11.1 .499 0.4 1.1 .349 2.2 2.6 .840
Karl Malone 82 40.6 25.2 2.9 8.6 11.5 4.0 1.5 1.5 2.9 3.3 9.4 18.9 .497 0.1 0.4 .250 6.2 9.0 .694
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 17 29.2 10.1 1.5 6.7 8.2 1.8 0.4 0.5 1.1 3.2 3.9 8.4 .465 0.9 2.5 .357 1.5 1.8 .806
Karl Malone 16 43.9 27.1 3.3 9.1 12.4 3.4 1.4 0.8 2.1 3.7 9.9 21.1 .467 0.0 0.3 .000 7.4 10.0 .738

Season 10

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1989-901994-95
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionJazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 81 33.0 12.1 2.0 7.6 9.6 2.1 0.7 1.0 1.2 3.4 4.7 9.7 .484 0.7 2.0 .361 2.0 2.4 .854
Karl Malone 82 38.1 26.7 1.9 8.7 10.6 3.5 1.6 1.0 2.9 3.3 10.1 18.9 .536 0.1 0.5 .268 6.3 8.5 .742
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 20 33.4 11.1 2.1 8.5 10.6 1.4 1.2 0.9 0.8 3.9 4.6 10.0 .457 0.8 2.2 .349 1.3 1.5 .862
Karl Malone 5 43.2 30.2 3.0 10.2 13.2 3.8 1.4 0.4 2.8 3.6 9.6 20.6 .466 0.2 0.6 .333 10.8 15.6 .692

Season 11

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1990-911995-96
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf FinalsJazz Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 82 32.5 11.0 2.1 6.9 9.0 1.9 0.5 0.7 1.2 3.0 4.5 9.5 .478 0.5 1.5 .296 1.5 1.8 .837
Karl Malone 82 38.0 25.7 2.1 7.7 9.8 4.2 1.7 0.7 2.4 3.0 9.6 18.5 .519 0.2 0.5 .400 6.2 8.6 .723
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 15 29.7 10.9 2.8 5.3 8.1 1.3 0.3 0.8 1.1 3.6 4.4 9.9 .446 0.3 1.1 .294 1.8 2.1 .871
Karl Malone 18 40.3 26.5 2.6 7.7 10.3 4.4 1.9 0.6 2.5 3.4 10.4 22.3 .469 0.0 0.2 .000 5.6 9.8 .574

Season 12

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1991-921996-97
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdJazz Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 81 27.6 9.7 1.3 4.3 5.6 2.0 0.6 0.7 1.3 2.8 4.2 9.0 .470 0.4 1.0 .376 0.8 0.9 .893
Karl Malone 82 36.6 27.4 2.4 7.5 9.9 4.5 1.4 0.6 2.8 2.6 10.5 19.2 .550 0.0 0.2 .000 6.4 8.4 .755
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 5 29.0 8.2 1.0 5.6 6.6 1.6 0.8 0.2 1.0 3.6 3.4 9.2 .370 0.4 2.0 .200 1.0 1.0 1.000
Karl Malone 20 40.8 26.0 3.0 8.4 11.4 2.9 1.4 0.8 2.7 3.0 9.4 21.5 .435 0.1 0.1 .500 7.2 10.0 .720

Season 13

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1992-931997-98
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 79 24.5 8.7 1.4 3.9 5.3 1.6 0.6 0.5 0.7 2.7 3.7 7.3 .509 0.1 0.3 .370 1.2 1.3 .894
Karl Malone 81 37.4 27.0 2.3 8.0 10.3 3.9 1.2 0.9 3.0 2.9 9.6 18.2 .530 0.0 0.1 .333 7.8 10.2 .761
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 20 39.8 26.3 2.4 8.5 10.9 3.4 1.1 1.0 3.0 3.5 9.9 21.0 .471 0.0 0.2 .000 6.5 8.3 .788

Season 14

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season 1993-941998-99
Team Detroit PistonsUtah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayJazz Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer 11 22.5 9.8 0.8 4.3 5.1 1.3 0.5 0.4 0.9 2.7 4.3 8.2 .522 0.3 0.8 .333 1.0 1.2 .846
Karl Malone 49 37.4 23.8 2.2 7.3 9.4 4.1 1.3 0.6 3.3 2.7 8.0 16.3 .493 0.0 0.0 .000 7.7 9.8 .788
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 11 41.0 21.8 3.3 8.0 11.3 4.7 1.2 0.7 3.6 3.4 7.8 18.7 .417 0.0 0.1 .000 6.2 7.8 .791

Season 15

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season -1999-00
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Jazz Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 82 35.9 25.5 2.1 7.4 9.5 3.7 1.0 0.9 2.8 2.8 9.2 18.0 .509 0.0 0.1 .250 7.2 9.0 .797
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 10 38.6 27.2 1.9 7.0 8.9 3.1 0.7 0.7 2.7 3.1 10.3 19.8 .520 0.2 0.2 1.000 6.4 7.9 .810

Season 16

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season -2000-01
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Jazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 81 35.7 23.2 1.4 6.9 8.3 4.5 1.1 0.8 3.0 2.7 8.3 16.6 .498 0.0 0.1 .400 6.6 8.3 .793
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 5 40.0 27.6 1.8 7.0 8.8 3.4 1.0 0.8 3.8 2.6 9.8 24.2 .405 0.2 0.4 .500 7.8 9.8 .796

Season 17

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season -2001-02
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Jazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 80 38.0 22.4 1.8 6.8 8.6 4.3 1.9 0.7 3.3 2.9 7.9 17.5 .454 0.1 0.3 .360 6.4 8.0 .797
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 4 40.8 20.0 0.8 6.8 7.5 4.5 1.3 0.8 2.8 2.8 7.5 18.3 .411 0.0 0.3 .000 5.0 7.0 .714

Season 18

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season -2002-03
Team -Utah Jazz
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Jazz Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 81 36.2 20.6 1.4 6.4 7.8 4.7 1.7 0.4 2.6 2.5 7.3 15.9 .462 0.0 0.2 .214 5.9 7.7 .763
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 5 38.2 19.6 1.4 5.4 6.8 4.0 1.6 0.4 4.0 3.0 6.8 16.8 .405 0.0 0.2 .000 6.0 8.2 .732

Season 19

Bill Laimbeer Karl Malone
Season -2003-04
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Lakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 42 32.7 13.2 1.5 7.3 8.7 3.9 1.2 0.5 2.5 2.8 4.6 9.5 .483 0.0 0.0 .000 4.0 5.4 .747
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Bill Laimbeer ------- --- ----------
Karl Malone 21 38.0 11.5 1.8 7.0 8.8 3.4 1.1 0.1 2.2 3.1 4.7 10.4 .450 0.0 0.0 .000 2.2 3.5 .630