Gary Payton vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond 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
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

Gary Payton1
Nate Thurmond0
Gary Payton17
Nate Thurmond14
Gary Payton15
Nate Thurmond9
Gary Payton9
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

Gary Payton2
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Gary Payton9
Nate Thurmond0
Gary Payton9
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Gary Payton9
Nate Thurmond5
Gary Payton1
Nate Thurmond0
*
Gary Payton1
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

Gary Payton 16.3
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Gary Payton 3.9
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Gary Payton 6.7
Nate Thurmond 2.7

Gary Payton 1.8
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
Gary Payton 0.2
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

Gary Payton 21,813
Nate Thurmond 14,437

Gary Payton 5,269
Nate Thurmond 14,464

Gary Payton 8,966
Nate Thurmond 2,575

Gary Payton 2,445
Nate Thurmond 125

*
Gary Payton 285
Nate Thurmond 553

*
Gary Payton 1,335
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Gary Payton .466
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
Gary Payton .317
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Gary Payton .729
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Gary Payton 24.2
(2000)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

Gary Payton 6.5
(2000)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

Gary Payton 9.0
(2002)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

Gary Payton 2.9
(1996)
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
Gary Payton 0.3
(2001)
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Gary Payton 14.0
Nate Thurmond 11.9

Gary Payton 3.7
Nate Thurmond 13.6

Gary Payton 5.3
Nate Thurmond 2.8

Gary Payton 1.4
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
Gary Payton 0.2
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

Gary Payton 2,155
Nate Thurmond 966

Gary Payton 575
Nate Thurmond 1,101

Gary Payton 811
Nate Thurmond 225

Gary Payton 216
Nate Thurmond 11

*
Gary Payton 32
Nate Thurmond 51

*
Gary Payton 154
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Gary Payton .441
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
Gary Payton .315
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Gary Payton .706
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Gary Payton 25.8
(2000)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

Gary Payton 8.6
(2002)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

Gary Payton 8.7
(2003)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

Gary Payton 2.2
(1997)
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
Gary Payton 0.4
(2002)
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.