Dirk Nowitzki vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Dirk Nowitzki 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
Dirk Nowitzki:
1998-99 to 2018-19
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

Dirk Nowitzki1
Bill Russell11
Dirk Nowitzki21
Bill Russell13
Dirk Nowitzki15
Bill Russell13
Dirk Nowitzki14
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

Dirk Nowitzki1
Bill Russell5
Dirk Nowitzki1
Bill Russell0
*
Dirk Nowitzki4
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Dirk Nowitzki12
Bill Russell11
Dirk Nowitzki0
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Dirk Nowitzki0
Bill Russell1
Dirk Nowitzki0
Bill Russell4
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Dirk Nowitzki 20.7
Bill Russell 15.1

Dirk Nowitzki 7.5
Bill Russell 22.5

Dirk Nowitzki 2.4
Bill Russell 4.3

Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Dirk Nowitzki 31,560
Bill Russell 14,522

Dirk Nowitzki 11,489
Bill Russell 21,620

Dirk Nowitzki 3,651
Bill Russell 4,100

Dirk Nowitzki 1,210
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 1,281
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 1,522
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .471
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .380
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .879
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Dirk Nowitzki 26.6
(2006)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

Dirk Nowitzki 9.9
(2002)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

Dirk Nowitzki 3.5
(2008)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

Dirk Nowitzki 1.4
(2003)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 1.5
(2005)
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Dirk Nowitzki 25.3
Bill Russell 16.2

Dirk Nowitzki 10.0
Bill Russell 24.9

Dirk Nowitzki 2.5
Bill Russell 4.7

Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 0.9
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Dirk Nowitzki 3,663
Bill Russell 2,673

Dirk Nowitzki 1,446
Bill Russell 4,104

Dirk Nowitzki 360
Bill Russell 770

Dirk Nowitzki 149
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 129
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 145
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .462
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .365
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dirk Nowitzki .892
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Dirk Nowitzki 28.4
(2002)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

Dirk Nowitzki 13.1
(2002)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

Dirk Nowitzki 4.0
(2008)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

Dirk Nowitzki 2.0
(2002)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Dirk Nowitzki 2.6
(2004)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Notes: ** 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.