Complete Stats Comparison of Bill Russell and Isiah Thomas

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Bill Russell and Isiah Thomas during their NBA careers. First we show you a summary of who had better numbers on each statistical category and then we compare in detail the performance of each of these stars in the regular season and the Playoffs, both in total stats and averages per game.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Stats / Stats Rankings

This in-depth comparison includes all the numbers, if you prefer a simplified version of this analysis with only the basic statistics, you will find it at the career comparison of these two NBA stars.

On this page we compare:

Who has better stats? Main stats / All stats
Regular Season: Averages / Totals / Pecentages
Playoffs: Averages / Totals / Pecentages

Main Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Bill Russell1
(rebounds)
1
(rebounds)
13
seasons
Isiah Thomas2
(points, assists)
2
(points, assists)
13
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Bill Russell1
(rebounds)
2
(points, rebounds)
13
Playoffs
Isiah Thomas2
(points, assists)
1
(assists)
9
Playoffs

- Stats for blocks and steals were not available during one of the players' career. They were not included on these tables.

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Bill Russell2
stats
2
stats
0
stats
Isiah Thomas4
stats
5
stats
2
stats
they are tied1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Bill Russell1
stat
6
stats
0
stats
Isiah Thomas4
stats
2
stats
2
stats
they are tied1
stat

- Stats for defensive and offensive rebounds, blocks, steals, turnovers, and three-point shots were not available during one of the players' career. They were not included on these tables.

- "Better Career Total" includes games and years played as stats.

- Field goal, free-throw and three-point attempts are not included on these tables since it can't be said that higher is better.

Now, lets compare all their stats in detail, one by one...

Notes: Offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Turnovers started to be recorded in 1977-78. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80.
(n/a) = the stat was not available during his career.

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Isiah Thomas had better averages in points and assists while Bill Russell had better average in rebounds.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Bill Russell had better average in total rebounds (+18.9)
- Isiah Thomas had better averages in points (+4.1), field goals made (+1.4), free throws made (+0.8) and assists (+5.0)
-
- Isiah Thomas had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.3)
- Bill Russell had higher average in free throws attempted (+0.4)
- Isiah Thomas had higher average in field goals attempted (+2.8)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Bill Russell 15.1
Isiah Thomas 19.2
+4.1
Field Goals Made
Bill Russell 5.9
Isiah Thomas 7.3
+1.4
Field Goals Attempted
Bill Russell 13.4
Isiah Thomas 16.2
+2.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 0.4
3-Pointers Attempted
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 1.4
Free Throws Made
Bill Russell 3.3
Isiah Thomas 4.1
+0.8
Free Throws Attempted
Bill Russell 5.8
+0.4
Isiah Thomas 5.4
Offensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 1.0
Defensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 2.6
Bill Russell 22.5
+18.9
Isiah Thomas 3.6
Bill Russell 4.3
Isiah Thomas 9.3
+5.0
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 1.9
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 0.3
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 3.8
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Bill Russell 2.7
Isiah Thomas 3.0
+0.3

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Isiah Thomas had more total points and assists while Bill Russell had more total rebounds.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Bill Russell had more total rebounds (+18,142)
- Isiah Thomas played more games (+16) and had more points (+4,300), field goals made (+1,507), free throws made (+888) and assists (+4,961)
-
- Isiah Thomas had more personal fouls (+379)
- Bill Russell had more free throws attempted (+298)
- Isiah Thomas had more field goals attempted (+2,974)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Bill Russell 13
Isiah Thomas 13
Bill Russell 963
Isiah Thomas 979
+16
Bill Russell 14,522
Isiah Thomas 18,822
+4,300
Field Goals Made
Bill Russell 5,687
Isiah Thomas 7,194
+1,507
Field Goals Attempted
Bill Russell 12,930
Isiah Thomas 15,904
+2,974
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 398
3-Pointers Attempted
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 1,373
Free Throws Made
Bill Russell 3,148
Isiah Thomas 4,036
+888
Free Throws Attempted
Bill Russell 5,614
+298
Isiah Thomas 5,316
Offensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 951
Defensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 2,527
Bill Russell 21,620
+18,142
Isiah Thomas 3,478
Bill Russell 4,100
Isiah Thomas 9,061
+4,961
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 1,861
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 249
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 3,682
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Bill Russell 2,592
Isiah Thomas 2,971
+379

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Isiah Thomas had better field goal percentage and free throw percentage than Bill Russell.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Bill Russell 44.0%
Isiah Thomas 45.2%
+1.2
3-Point Percentage
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 29.0%
Free Throw Percentage
Bill Russell 56.1%
Isiah Thomas 75.9%
+19.8

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Isiah Thomas had better averages in points and assists while Bill Russell had better average in rebounds.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Bill Russell had better average in total rebounds (+20.2)
- Isiah Thomas had better averages in points (+4.2), field goals made (+1.3), free throws made (+0.8) and assists (+4.2)
-
-
- Bill Russell had higher average in free throws attempted (+0.5)
- Isiah Thomas had higher average in field goals attempted (+2.6)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Bill Russell 16.2
Isiah Thomas 20.4
+4.2
Field Goals Made
Bill Russell 6.1
Isiah Thomas 7.4
+1.3
Field Goals Attempted
Bill Russell 14.2
Isiah Thomas 16.8
+2.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 0.7
3-Pointers Attempted
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 2.1
Free Throws Made
Bill Russell 4.0
Isiah Thomas 4.8
+0.8
Free Throws Attempted
Bill Russell 6.7
+0.5
Isiah Thomas 6.2
Offensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 1.2
Defensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 3.5
Bill Russell 24.9
+20.2
Isiah Thomas 4.7
Bill Russell 4.7
Isiah Thomas 8.9
+4.2
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 2.1
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 0.3
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 3.3
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Bill Russell 3.3
Isiah Thomas 3.3

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Bill Russell had more total points and rebounds while Isiah Thomas had more total assists.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Bill Russell played more years (+4) and games (+54), and had more points (+412), field goals made (+178), free throws made (+137) and total rebounds (+3,580)
- Isiah Thomas had more assists (+217)
- Bill Russell had more personal fouls (+183)
-
- Bill Russell had more field goals attempted (+466) and free throws attempted (+417)
-

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Bill Russell 13
+4
Isiah Thomas 9
Bill Russell 165
+54
Isiah Thomas 111
Bill Russell 2,673
+412
Isiah Thomas 2,261
Field Goals Made
Bill Russell 1,003
+178
Isiah Thomas 825
Field Goals Attempted
Bill Russell 2,335
+466
Isiah Thomas 1,869
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 81
3-Pointers Attempted
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 234
Free Throws Made
Bill Russell 667
+137
Isiah Thomas 530
Free Throws Attempted
Bill Russell 1,106
+417
Isiah Thomas 689
Offensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 134
Defensive Rebounds
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 390
Bill Russell 4,104
+3,580
Isiah Thomas 524
Bill Russell 770
Isiah Thomas 987
+217
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 234
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 38
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 369
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Bill Russell 546
+183
Isiah Thomas 363

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Isiah Thomas had better field goal percentage and free throw percentage than Bill Russell.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Bill Russell 43.0%
Isiah Thomas 44.1%
+1.1
3-Point Percentage
Bill Russell -
n/a
Isiah Thomas 34.6%
Free Throw Percentage
Bill Russell 60.3%
Isiah Thomas 76.9%
+16.6