Bill Russell vs. Arvydas Sabonis: NBA Rankings Comparison
The ultimate statistical showdown: compare Bill Russell and Arvydas Sabonis all-time NBA rankings. Explore their historical standing across total and per-game stats, regular season and playoffs. Who ranks higher?
This in-depth analysis goes beyond basic career numbers to provide an unparalleled look at where Bill Russell, with a career spanning 13 seasons from 1957 to 1969, and Arvydas Sabonis, with 7 seasons played from 1996 to 2003, stand among the league's historical elite..
Dive into a meticulous breakdown of their positions in every major statistical category—from scoring and rebounding to assists, steals, and blocks—across both regular season and their entire playoff careers. Our comprehensive tables offer side-by-side rankings, value comparisons, and key differences, ensuring you have all the definitive data to assess their historical impact.
First, review a concise summary of how they rank in NBA history in the main categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks) for both total and per-game stats, and below, you can then explore in detail all their stats and their historical rankings.
Bill Russell vs. Arvydas Sabonis | ||||
Career Totals |
Season | Playoffs | ||
Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | |
Points | 175th | +300th | 41st | +300th |
Rebounds | 2nd | +300th | 1st | 279th |
Assists | 121st | +300th | 30th | +300th |
Steals | n/a | +300th | n/a | +300th |
Blocks | n/a | 291st | n/a | 190th |
Years | 13 | 7 | 13 | 7 |
Bill Russell vs. Arvydas Sabonis | ||||
Career Per Game |
Season | Playoffs | ||
Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | |
Points | 277th | +300th | 196th | +300th |
Rebounds | 2nd | 209th | 1st | 188th |
Assists | 200th | +300th | 129th | +300th |
Steals | n/a | +300th | n/a | +300th |
Blocks | n/a | 155th | n/a | 169th |
Steals, blocks, offensive and defensive rebounds started to be recorded in the 1973-74 season. The 3-point shot was implemented in the 1979-80 season.
n/a = The player doesn't have data for the stat.
Comparisons on this page: |
Their rankings for: |
Note: per game rankings include players with a minimum of games played
Career Totals, | |||||
Stats Rankings: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
Points | 175th | +300th | +125 | 14,522 vs. 5,629 | 8,893 |
Rebounds | 2nd | +300th | +298 | 21,620 vs. 3,436 | 18,184 |
Assists | 121st | +300th | +179 | 4,100 vs. 964 | 3,136 |
Steals | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 370 | ||
Blocks | n/a | 291st | 0 vs. 494 | ||
Offensive Rebounds | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 734 | ||
Defensive Rebounds | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 2,702 | ||
Field Goals Made | 162nd | +300th | +138 | 5,687 vs. 2,082 | 3,605 |
Field Goals Attempted | 130th | +300th | +170 | 12,930 vs. 4,160 | 8,770 |
3-Pointers Made | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 136 | ||
3-Pointers Attempted | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 415 | ||
Free Throws Made | 155th | +300th | +145 | 3,148 vs. 1,329 | 1,819 |
Free Throws Attempted | 62nd | +300th | +238 | 5,614 vs. 1,690 | 3,924 |
Games and Years: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
Games Played | 195th | +300th | 963 vs. 470 | 493 | |
Seasons | 292nd | +300th | 13 vs. 7 | 6 | |
Rankings by Points Scored: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
40+ point games | - | - | 0 vs. 0 | 0 |
Career Totals, | |||||
Stats Rankings: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
Points | 41st | +300th | +259 | 2,673 vs. 617 | 2,056 |
Rebounds | 1st | 279th | 278 | 4,104 vs. 378 | 3,726 |
Assists | 30th | +300th | +270 | 770 vs. 97 | 673 |
Steals | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 48 | ||
Blocks | n/a | 190th | 0 vs. 48 | ||
Offensive Rebounds | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 72 | ||
Defensive Rebounds | n/a | 197th | 0 vs. 306 | ||
Field Goals Made | 37th | +300th | +263 | 1,003 vs. 222 | 781 |
Field Goals Attempted | 30th | +300th | +270 | 2,335 vs. 491 | 1,844 |
3-Pointers Made | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 15 | ||
3-Pointers Attempted | n/a | +300th | 0 vs. 47 | ||
Free Throws Made | 37th | +300th | +263 | 667 vs. 158 | 509 |
Free Throws Attempted | 15th | +300th | +285 | 1,106 vs. 197 | 909 |
Games and Years: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
Games Played | 35th | +300th | 165 vs. 51 | 114 | |
Playoffs | 45th | +300th | 13 vs. 7 | 6 | |
Rankings by Points Scored: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
40+ point games | - | - | 0 vs. 0 | 0 |
Career Per Game Averages, | |||||
Stats Rankings: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
Points per game | 277th | +300th | +23 | 15.08 vs. 11.98 | 3.10 |
Rebounds per game | 2nd | 209th | 207 | 22.45 vs. 7.31 | 15.14 |
Assists per game | 200th | +300th | +100 | 4.26 vs. 2.05 | 2.21 |
Steals per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 0.79 | ||
Blocks per game | n/a | 155th | 0.00 vs. 1.05 | ||
Offensive Rebounds per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 1.56 | ||
Defensive Rebounds per game | n/a | 93rd | 0.00 vs. 5.75 | ||
Field Goals Made per game | 251st | +300th | +49 | 5.91 vs. 4.43 | 1.48 |
Field Goals Attempted per game | 208th | +300th | +92 | 13.43 vs. 8.85 | 4.58 |
3-Pointers Made per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 0.29 | ||
3-Pointers Attempted per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 0.88 | ||
Free Throws Made per game | 218th | +300th | +82 | 3.27 vs. 2.83 | 0.44 |
Free Throws Attempted per game | 84th | +300th | +216 | 5.83 vs. 3.60 | 2.23 |
Career Per Game Averages, | |||||
Stats Rankings: | Bill Russell | Arvydas Sabonis | Rk Diff. | Values | Diff. |
Points per game | 196th | +300th | +104 | 16.20 vs. 12.10 | 4.10 |
Rebounds per game | 1st | 188th | 187 | 24.87 vs. 7.41 | 17.46 |
Assists per game | 129th | +300th | +171 | 4.67 vs. 1.90 | 2.76 |
Steals per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 0.94 | ||
Blocks per game | n/a | 169th | 0.00 vs. 0.94 | ||
Offensive Rebounds per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 1.41 | ||
Defensive Rebounds per game | n/a | 92nd | 0.00 vs. 6.00 | ||
Field Goals Made per game | 206th | +300th | +94 | 6.08 vs. 4.35 | 1.73 |
Field Goals Attempted per game | 179th | +300th | +121 | 14.15 vs. 9.63 | 4.52 |
3-Pointers Made per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 0.29 | ||
3-Pointers Attempted per game | n/a | +300th | 0.00 vs. 0.92 | ||
Free Throws Made per game | 162nd | +300th | +138 | 4.04 vs. 3.10 | 0.94 |
Free Throws Attempted per game | 69th | +300th | +231 | 6.70 vs. 3.86 | 2.84 |
Note: the per game rankings on this page respect the minimums usually applied by the NBA for all-time leaders, 400 games for regular season stats unless the player reached these thresholds before: 10,000 points; 4,000 rebounds; 2,000 assists; 625 steals; 500 blocks; 250 3-pointers made. Also 3 minimum games for the Playoffs are applied.