Shaquille O'Neal vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Shaquille O'Neal 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
Shaquille O'Neal:
1992-93 to 2010-11
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

Shaquille O'Neal4
Bill Russell11
Shaquille O'Neal19
Bill Russell13
Shaquille O'Neal17
Bill Russell13
Shaquille O'Neal15
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

Shaquille O'Neal1
Bill Russell5
Shaquille O'Neal3
Bill Russell0
*
Shaquille O'Neal8
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Shaquille O'Neal14
Bill Russell11
Shaquille O'Neal0
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Shaquille O'Neal3
Bill Russell1
Shaquille O'Neal2
Bill Russell0
Shaquille O'Neal0
Bill Russell4
Shaquille O'Neal1
Bill Russell0
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Shaquille O'Neal 23.7
Bill Russell 15.1

Shaquille O'Neal 10.9
Bill Russell 22.5

Shaquille O'Neal 2.5
Bill Russell 4.3

Shaquille O'Neal 0.6
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 2.3
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Shaquille O'Neal 28,596
Bill Russell 14,522

Shaquille O'Neal 13,099
Bill Russell 21,620

Shaquille O'Neal 3,026
Bill Russell 4,100

Shaquille O'Neal 739
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 2,732
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 1,207
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal .582
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal .045
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal .527
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Shaquille O'Neal 29.7
(2000)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

Shaquille O'Neal 13.9
(1993)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

Shaquille O'Neal 3.8
(2000)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

Shaquille O'Neal 0.9
(1994)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 3.5
(1993)
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Shaquille O'Neal 24.3
Bill Russell 16.2

Shaquille O'Neal 11.6
Bill Russell 24.9

Shaquille O'Neal 2.7
Bill Russell 4.7

Shaquille O'Neal 0.5
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 2.1
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Shaquille O'Neal 5,250
Bill Russell 2,673

Shaquille O'Neal 2,508
Bill Russell 4,104

Shaquille O'Neal 582
Bill Russell 770

Shaquille O'Neal 117
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 459
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 216
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal .563
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal -
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Shaquille O'Neal .504
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Shaquille O'Neal 30.7
(2000)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

Shaquille O'Neal 15.4
(2001)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

Shaquille O'Neal 4.6
(1996)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

Shaquille O'Neal 1.0
(2008)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Shaquille O'Neal 3.0
(1994)
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.