Jim Paxson vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Jim Paxson 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

Jim Paxson

vs.

Bill Russell

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Jim Paxson: 1979-80 to 1989-90
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Jim Paxson 0 Bill Russell 11

NBA Seasons Jim Paxson 11 Bill Russell 13

Playoffs Played Jim Paxson 9 Bill Russell 13

All-Star Games Jim Paxson 2 Bill Russell 12

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Jim Paxson 0 Bill Russell 5

All-NBA First Team Jim Paxson 0 Bill Russell 3

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Jim Paxson 1 Bill Russell 11

All-Defensive 1st Team Jim Paxson 0 Bill Russell 1 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Jim Paxson 0 Bill Russell 1

Rebounds Leader Jim Paxson 0 Bill Russell 4

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

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Jim Paxson 14.3 Bill Russell 15.1

Rebounds Per Game Jim Paxson 2.0 Bill Russell 22.5

Assists Per Game Jim Paxson 2.9 Bill Russell 4.3

Steals Per Game Jim Paxson 1.2 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Jim Paxson 0.1 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Jim Paxson 11,199 Bill Russell 14,522

Total Rebounds Jim Paxson 1,593 Bill Russell 21,620

Total Assists Jim Paxson 2,300 Bill Russell 4,100

Total Steals Jim Paxson 951 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Jim Paxson 93 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Jim Paxson 784 Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Jim Paxson .498 Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage Jim Paxson .225 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Jim Paxson .807 Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Jim Paxson 21.7 (1983) Bill Russell 18.9 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Jim Paxson 3.3 (1985) Bill Russell 24.7 (1964)

Assists Per Game Jim Paxson 3.9 (1985) Bill Russell 5.8 (1967)

Steals Per Game Jim Paxson 1.8 (1981) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Jim Paxson 0.2 (1983) Bill Russell - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Jim Paxson 10.5 Bill Russell 16.2

Rebounds Per Game Jim Paxson 1.5 Bill Russell 24.9

Assists Per Game Jim Paxson 1.9 Bill Russell 4.7

Steals Per Game Jim Paxson 0.7 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Jim Paxson 0.1 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Jim Paxson 554 Bill Russell 2,673

Total Rebounds Jim Paxson 80 Bill Russell 4,104

Total Assists Jim Paxson 100 Bill Russell 770

Total Steals Jim Paxson 38 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Jim Paxson 4 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Jim Paxson 53 Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Jim Paxson .463 Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage Jim Paxson .267 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Jim Paxson .808 Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Jim Paxson 23.3 (1983) Bill Russell 22.4 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Jim Paxson 3.8 (1984) Bill Russell 29.9 (1961)

Assists Per Game Jim Paxson 3.8 (1986) Bill Russell 6.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Jim Paxson 1.3 (1983) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Jim Paxson 0.3 (1980) 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.