Spencer Haywood vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond and Spencer Haywood 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
Spencer Haywood:
1970-71 to 1982-83
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

Spencer Haywood1
Nate Thurmond0
Spencer Haywood12
Nate Thurmond14
Spencer Haywood4
Nate Thurmond9
Spencer Haywood4
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

Spencer Haywood2
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Spencer Haywood4
Nate Thurmond0
Spencer Haywood0
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Spencer Haywood0
Nate Thurmond5
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Spencer Haywood 19.2
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Spencer Haywood 9.3
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Spencer Haywood 1.8
Nate Thurmond 2.7

Spencer Haywood 0.6
*
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
Spencer Haywood 1.1
*
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

Spencer Haywood 14,592
Nate Thurmond 14,437

Spencer Haywood 7,038
Nate Thurmond 14,464

Spencer Haywood 1,351
Nate Thurmond 2,575

Spencer Haywood 355
*
Nate Thurmond 125

*
Spencer Haywood 629
*
Nate Thurmond 553

*
Spencer Haywood 760
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Spencer Haywood .465
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
Spencer Haywood .125
*
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Spencer Haywood .800
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Spencer Haywood 29.2
(1973)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

Spencer Haywood 13.4
(1974)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

Spencer Haywood 3.2
(1974)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

Spencer Haywood 0.9
(1974)
*
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
Spencer Haywood 1.6
(1975)
*
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Spencer Haywood 13.4
Nate Thurmond 11.9

Spencer Haywood 5.7
Nate Thurmond 13.6

Spencer Haywood 1.2
Nate Thurmond 2.8

Spencer Haywood 0.4
*
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
Spencer Haywood 1.1
*
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

Spencer Haywood 441
Nate Thurmond 966

Spencer Haywood 188
Nate Thurmond 1,101

Spencer Haywood 41
Nate Thurmond 225

Spencer Haywood 13
*
Nate Thurmond 11

*
Spencer Haywood 36
*
Nate Thurmond 51

*
Spencer Haywood 33
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Spencer Haywood .448
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
Spencer Haywood .000
*
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Spencer Haywood .789
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Spencer Haywood 20.0
(1982)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

Spencer Haywood 9.0
(1975)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

Spencer Haywood 2.0
(1978)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

Spencer Haywood 0.8
(1975)
*
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
Spencer Haywood 2.0
(1982)
*
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. 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.