Michael Ruffin vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond and Michael Ruffin 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

Michael Ruffin

vs.

Nate Thurmond

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Michael Ruffin: 1999-00 to 2008-09
Nate Thurmond: 1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Michael Ruffin 0 Nate Thurmond 0

NBA Seasons Michael Ruffin 9 Nate Thurmond 14

Playoffs Played Michael Ruffin 4 Nate Thurmond 9

All-Star Games Michael Ruffin 0 Nate Thurmond 7

Honors and Awards

All-Defensive 1st Team Michael Ruffin 0 Nate Thurmond 2 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Michael Ruffin 0 Nate Thurmond 5

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

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Ruffin 1.7 Nate Thurmond 15.0

Rebounds Per Game Michael Ruffin 3.9 Nate Thurmond 15.0

Assists Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.6 Nate Thurmond 2.7

Steals Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.5 Nate Thurmond 0.5 *

Blocks Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.5 Nate Thurmond 2.1 *

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Ruffin 716 Nate Thurmond 14,437

Total Rebounds Michael Ruffin 1,632 Nate Thurmond 14,464

Total Assists Michael Ruffin 250 Nate Thurmond 2,575

Total Steals Michael Ruffin 199 Nate Thurmond 125 *

Total Blocks Michael Ruffin 193 Nate Thurmond 553 *

Total Games Michael Ruffin 414 Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Ruffin .407 Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage Michael Ruffin .000 Nate Thurmond - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Michael Ruffin .459 Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Ruffin 2.6 (2001) Nate Thurmond 21.9 (1970)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Ruffin 5.8 (2001) Nate Thurmond 22.0 (1968)

Assists Per Game Michael Ruffin 1.0 (2004) Nate Thurmond 4.2 (1968)

Steals Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.7 (2008) Nate Thurmond 0.7 (1974) *

Blocks Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.8 (2001) Nate Thurmond 2.9 (1974) *

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Michael Ruffin 1.4 Nate Thurmond 11.9

Rebounds Per Game Michael Ruffin 3.4 Nate Thurmond 13.6

Assists Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.7 Nate Thurmond 2.8

Steals Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.4 Nate Thurmond 0.4 *

Blocks Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.3 Nate Thurmond 1.9 *

Totals Stats

Total Points Michael Ruffin 28 Nate Thurmond 966

Total Rebounds Michael Ruffin 67 Nate Thurmond 1,101

Total Assists Michael Ruffin 13 Nate Thurmond 225

Total Steals Michael Ruffin 7 Nate Thurmond 11 *

Total Blocks Michael Ruffin 5 Nate Thurmond 51 *

Total Games Michael Ruffin 20 Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Michael Ruffin .563 Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage Michael Ruffin .000 Nate Thurmond - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Michael Ruffin .500 Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Michael Ruffin 2.6 (2005) Nate Thurmond 25.4 (1972)

Rebounds Per Game Michael Ruffin 5.0 (2009) Nate Thurmond 23.1 (1967)

Assists Per Game Michael Ruffin 1.0 (2005) Nate Thurmond 5.2 (1972)

Steals Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.8 (2007) Nate Thurmond 0.5 (1976) *

Blocks Per Game Michael Ruffin 0.3 (2006) 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.