Michael Jordan vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Michael Jordan 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

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Michael Jordan:
1984-85 to 2002-03
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

Michael Jordan6
Bill Russell11
Michael Jordan15
Bill Russell13
Michael Jordan13
Bill Russell13
Michael Jordan14
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

Michael Jordan5
Bill Russell5
Michael Jordan6
Bill Russell0
*
Michael Jordan10
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Michael Jordan11
Bill Russell11
Michael Jordan9
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Michael Jordan9
Bill Russell1
Michael Jordan1
Bill Russell0
*
Michael Jordan10
Bill Russell0
Michael Jordan0
Bill Russell4
Michael Jordan3
Bill Russell0
*
Michael Jordan1
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

Michael Jordan 30.1
Bill Russell 15.1

Michael Jordan 6.2
Bill Russell 22.5

Michael Jordan 5.3
Bill Russell 4.3

Michael Jordan 2.3
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 0.8
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Michael Jordan 32,292
Bill Russell 14,522

Michael Jordan 6,672
Bill Russell 21,620

Michael Jordan 5,633
Bill Russell 4,100

Michael Jordan 2,514
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 893
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 1,072
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Michael Jordan .497
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
Michael Jordan .327
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Jordan .835
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Michael Jordan 37.1
(1987)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

Michael Jordan 8.0
(1989)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

Michael Jordan 8.0
(1989)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

Michael Jordan 3.2
(1988)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 1.6
(1988)
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Michael Jordan 33.4
Bill Russell 16.2

Michael Jordan 6.4
Bill Russell 24.9

Michael Jordan 5.7
Bill Russell 4.7

Michael Jordan 2.1
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 0.9
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Michael Jordan 5,987
Bill Russell 2,673

Michael Jordan 1,152
Bill Russell 4,104

Michael Jordan 1,022
Bill Russell 770

Michael Jordan 376
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 158
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 179
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Michael Jordan .487
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
Michael Jordan .332
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Michael Jordan .828
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Michael Jordan 43.7
(1986)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

Michael Jordan 7.9
(1997)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

Michael Jordan 8.5
(1985)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

Michael Jordan 2.8
(1990)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Michael Jordan 2.3
(1987)
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.