Elvin Hayes vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Elvin Hayes that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Player comparisons: / /

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Elvin Hayes:
1968-69 to 1983-84
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

Elvin Hayes1
Bill Russell11
Elvin Hayes16
Bill Russell13
Elvin Hayes10
Bill Russell13
Elvin Hayes12
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

Elvin Hayes0
Bill Russell5
Elvin Hayes3
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Elvin Hayes6
Bill Russell11
Elvin Hayes0
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Elvin Hayes2
Bill Russell1
Elvin Hayes1
Bill Russell0
Elvin Hayes2
Bill Russell4
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Elvin Hayes 21.0
Bill Russell 15.1

Elvin Hayes 12.5
Bill Russell 22.5

Elvin Hayes 1.8
Bill Russell 4.3

Elvin Hayes 1.0
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 2.0
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Elvin Hayes 27,313
Bill Russell 14,522

Elvin Hayes 16,279
Bill Russell 21,620

Elvin Hayes 2,398
Bill Russell 4,100

Elvin Hayes 864
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 1,771
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 1,303
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Elvin Hayes .452
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
Elvin Hayes .147
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Elvin Hayes .670
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Elvin Hayes 28.7
(1971)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

Elvin Hayes 18.1
(1974)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

Elvin Hayes 3.3
(1972)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

Elvin Hayes 1.9
(1975)
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 3.0
(1974)
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Elvin Hayes 22.9
Bill Russell 16.2

Elvin Hayes 13.0
Bill Russell 24.9

Elvin Hayes 1.9
Bill Russell 4.7

Elvin Hayes 1.1
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 2.6
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Elvin Hayes 2,194
Bill Russell 2,673

Elvin Hayes 1,244
Bill Russell 4,104

Elvin Hayes 185
Bill Russell 770

Elvin Hayes 97
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 222
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 96
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Elvin Hayes .464
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
Elvin Hayes -
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Elvin Hayes .652
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Elvin Hayes 25.9
(1974)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

Elvin Hayes 15.9
(1974)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

Elvin Hayes 3.0
(1980)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

Elvin Hayes 1.5
(1975)
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Elvin Hayes 4.0
(1976)
*
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Notes: * Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat.
Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.