Michael Jordan vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond and Michael Jordan that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

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
Michael Jordan:
1984-85 to 2002-03
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

Michael Jordan6
Nate Thurmond0
Michael Jordan15
Nate Thurmond14
Michael Jordan13
Nate Thurmond9
Michael Jordan14
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

Michael Jordan5
Nate Thurmond0
Michael Jordan6
Nate Thurmond0
*
Michael Jordan10
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Michael Jordan11
Nate Thurmond0
Michael Jordan9
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Michael Jordan9
Nate Thurmond5
Michael Jordan1
Nate Thurmond0
*
Michael Jordan10
Nate Thurmond0
Michael Jordan3
Nate Thurmond0
*
Michael Jordan1
Nate Thurmond0
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.
Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.
Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Michael Jordan 30.1
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Michael Jordan 6.2
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Michael Jordan 5.3
Nate Thurmond 2.7

Michael Jordan 2.3
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
Michael Jordan 0.8
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

Michael Jordan 32,292
Nate Thurmond 14,437

Michael Jordan 6,672
Nate Thurmond 14,464

Michael Jordan 5,633
Nate Thurmond 2,575

Michael Jordan 2,514
Nate Thurmond 125

*
Michael Jordan 893
Nate Thurmond 553

*
Michael Jordan 1,072
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Michael Jordan .497
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
Michael Jordan .327
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Jordan .835
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Michael Jordan 37.1
(1987)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

Michael Jordan 8.0
(1989)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

Michael Jordan 8.0
(1989)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

Michael Jordan 3.2
(1988)
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
Michael Jordan 1.6
(1988)
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Michael Jordan 33.4
Nate Thurmond 11.9

Michael Jordan 6.4
Nate Thurmond 13.6

Michael Jordan 5.7
Nate Thurmond 2.8

Michael Jordan 2.1
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
Michael Jordan 0.9
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

Michael Jordan 5,987
Nate Thurmond 966

Michael Jordan 1,152
Nate Thurmond 1,101

Michael Jordan 1,022
Nate Thurmond 225

Michael Jordan 376
Nate Thurmond 11

*
Michael Jordan 158
Nate Thurmond 51

*
Michael Jordan 179
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Michael Jordan .487
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
Michael Jordan .332
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Jordan .828
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Michael Jordan 43.7
(1986)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

Michael Jordan 7.9
(1997)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

Michael Jordan 8.5
(1985)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

Michael Jordan 2.8
(1990)
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
Michael Jordan 2.3
(1987)
Nate Thurmond 2.2
(1976)

*
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, this player has no data for the stat.