Bill Russell vs. Paul Shirley Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Paul Shirley and Bill Russell 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

Bill Russell

vs.

Paul Shirley

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69
Paul Shirley: 2002-03 to 2004-05

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bill Russell 11 Paul Shirley 0

NBA Seasons Bill Russell 13 Paul Shirley 3

Playoffs Played Bill Russell 13 Paul Shirley 0

All-Star Games Bill Russell 12 Paul Shirley 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Bill Russell 5 Paul Shirley 0

All-NBA First Team Bill Russell 3 Paul Shirley 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 11 Paul Shirley 0

All-Defensive 1st Team Bill Russell 1 * Paul Shirley 0

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 1 Paul Shirley 0

Rebounds Leader Bill Russell 4 Paul Shirley 0

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 15.1 Paul Shirley 1.8

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 22.5 Paul Shirley 1.1

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.3 Paul Shirley 0.4

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley 0.1

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley 0.1

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 14,522 Paul Shirley 33

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 21,620 Paul Shirley 19

Total Assists Bill Russell 4,100 Paul Shirley 7

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley 1

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley 1

Total Games Bill Russell 963 Paul Shirley 18

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .440 Paul Shirley .395

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley .000

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .561 Paul Shirley .429

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 18.9 (1962) Paul Shirley 3.0 (2004)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.7 (1964) Paul Shirley 2.3 (2004)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 5.8 (1967) Paul Shirley 0.6 (2004)

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley 0.1 (2004)

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley 0.1 (2004)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 16.2 Paul Shirley -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.9 Paul Shirley -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.7 Paul Shirley -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley -

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley -

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 2,673 Paul Shirley -

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 4,104 Paul Shirley -

Total Assists Bill Russell 770 Paul Shirley -

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley -

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley -

Total Games Bill Russell 165 Paul Shirley 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .430 Paul Shirley -

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley -

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .603 Paul Shirley -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 22.4 (1962) Paul Shirley -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 29.9 (1961) Paul Shirley -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 6.3 (1965) Paul Shirley -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley -

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Paul Shirley -

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.