Gus Johnson vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Gus Johnson 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

Gus Johnson

vs.

Bill Russell

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Gus Johnson: 1963-64 to 1972-73
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Gus Johnson 0 Bill Russell 11

NBA Seasons Gus Johnson 10 Bill Russell 13

Playoffs Played Gus Johnson 5 Bill Russell 13

All-Star Games Gus Johnson 5 Bill Russell 12

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Gus Johnson 0 Bill Russell 5

All-NBA First Team Gus Johnson 0 Bill Russell 3

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Gus Johnson 4 Bill Russell 11

All-Defensive 1st Team Gus Johnson 2 * Bill Russell 1 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Gus Johnson 2 Bill Russell 1

Rebounds Leader Gus Johnson 0 Bill Russell 4

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

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Gus Johnson 17.1 Bill Russell 15.1

Rebounds Per Game Gus Johnson 12.7 Bill Russell 22.5

Assists Per Game Gus Johnson 2.6 Bill Russell 4.3

Steals Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Gus Johnson 9,944 Bill Russell 14,522

Total Rebounds Gus Johnson 7,379 Bill Russell 21,620

Total Assists Gus Johnson 1,541 Bill Russell 4,100

Total Steals Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Gus Johnson 582 Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Gus Johnson .440 Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Gus Johnson .699 Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Gus Johnson 20.7 (1967) Bill Russell 18.9 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Gus Johnson 17.1 (1971) Bill Russell 24.7 (1964)

Assists Per Game Gus Johnson 3.6 (1965) Bill Russell 5.8 (1967)

Steals Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Gus Johnson 13.3 Bill Russell 16.2

Rebounds Per Game Gus Johnson 9.7 Bill Russell 24.9

Assists Per Game Gus Johnson 2.2 Bill Russell 4.7

Steals Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Gus Johnson 452 Bill Russell 2,673

Total Rebounds Gus Johnson 330 Bill Russell 4,104

Total Assists Gus Johnson 76 Bill Russell 770

Total Steals Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Gus Johnson 34 Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Gus Johnson .397 Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Gus Johnson .760 Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Gus Johnson 18.4 (1970) Bill Russell 22.4 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Gus Johnson 11.4 (1970) Bill Russell 29.9 (1961)

Assists Per Game Gus Johnson 3.4 (1965) Bill Russell 6.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Gus Johnson - n/a ** 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.