Gary Payton vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Gary Payton 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
Gary Payton:
1990-91 to 2006-07
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

Gary Payton1
Bill Russell11
Gary Payton17
Bill Russell13
Gary Payton15
Bill Russell13
Gary Payton9
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

Gary Payton0
Bill Russell5
Gary Payton2
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Gary Payton9
Bill Russell11
Gary Payton9
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Gary Payton9
Bill Russell1
Gary Payton1
Bill Russell0
*
Gary Payton0
Bill Russell4
Gary Payton1
Bill Russell0
*
* 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

Gary Payton 16.3
Bill Russell 15.1

Gary Payton 3.9
Bill Russell 22.5

Gary Payton 6.7
Bill Russell 4.3

Gary Payton 1.8
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 0.2
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Gary Payton 21,813
Bill Russell 14,522

Gary Payton 5,269
Bill Russell 21,620

Gary Payton 8,966
Bill Russell 4,100

Gary Payton 2,445
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 285
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 1,335
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Gary Payton .466
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
Gary Payton .317
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Gary Payton .729
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Gary Payton 24.2
(2000)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

Gary Payton 6.5
(2000)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

Gary Payton 9.0
(2002)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

Gary Payton 2.9
(1996)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 0.3
(2001)
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Gary Payton 14.0
Bill Russell 16.2

Gary Payton 3.7
Bill Russell 24.9

Gary Payton 5.3
Bill Russell 4.7

Gary Payton 1.4
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 0.2
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Gary Payton 2,155
Bill Russell 2,673

Gary Payton 575
Bill Russell 4,104

Gary Payton 811
Bill Russell 770

Gary Payton 216
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 32
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 154
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Gary Payton .441
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
Gary Payton .315
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Gary Payton .706
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Gary Payton 25.8
(2000)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

Gary Payton 8.6
(2002)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

Gary Payton 8.7
(2003)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

Gary Payton 2.2
(1997)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Gary Payton 0.4
(2002)
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.