Complete Stats Comparison of Gary Payton and Bill Russell

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Gary Payton and Bill Russell 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
Gary Payton2
(points, assists)
2
(points, assists)
17
seasons
Bill Russell1
(rebounds)
1
(rebounds)
13
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Gary Payton1
(assists)
1
(assists)
15
Playoffs
Bill Russell2
(points, rebounds)
2
(points, rebounds)
13
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
Gary Payton4
stats
6
stats
2
stats
Bill Russell2
stats
2
stats
0
stats
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Gary Payton2
stats
3
stats
2
stats
Bill Russell4
stats
5
stats
0
stats

- 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, Gary Payton had better averages in points and assists while Bill Russell had better average in rebounds.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Gary Payton had better averages in points (+1.2), field goals made (+0.6) and assists (+2.4)
- Bill Russell had better averages in free throws made (+0.9) and total rebounds (+18.6)
-
- Bill Russell had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.3)
- Gary Payton had higher average in field goals attempted (+0.6)
- Bill Russell had higher average in free throws attempted (+2.4)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Gary Payton 16.3
+1.2
Bill Russell 15.1
Field Goals Made
Gary Payton 6.5
+0.6
Bill Russell 5.9
Field Goals Attempted
Gary Payton 14.0
+0.6
Bill Russell 13.4
Gary Payton 0.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Gary Payton 2.7
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Gary Payton 2.4
Bill Russell 3.3
+0.9
Free Throws Attempted
Gary Payton 3.4
Bill Russell 5.8
+2.4
Offensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 1.0
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 2.9
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 3.9
Bill Russell 22.5
+18.6
Gary Payton 6.7
+2.4
Bill Russell 4.3
Gary Payton 1.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 0.2
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 2.3
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 2.4
Bill Russell 2.7
+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, Gary Payton had more total points and assists while Bill Russell had more total rebounds.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Gary Payton played more years (+4) and games (+372), and had more points (+7,291), field goals made (+3,021), free throws made (+117) and assists (+4,866)
- Bill Russell had more total rebounds (+16,351)
- Gary Payton had more personal fouls (+625)
-
- Gary Payton had more field goals attempted (+5,768)
- Bill Russell had more free throws attempted (+1,134)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Gary Payton 17
+4
Bill Russell 13
Gary Payton 1,335
+372
Bill Russell 963
Gary Payton 21,813
+7,291
Bill Russell 14,522
Field Goals Made
Gary Payton 8,708
+3,021
Bill Russell 5,687
Field Goals Attempted
Gary Payton 18,698
+5,768
Bill Russell 12,930
Gary Payton 1,132
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Gary Payton 3,570
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Gary Payton 3,265
+117
Bill Russell 3,148
Free Throws Attempted
Gary Payton 4,480
Bill Russell 5,614
+1,134
Offensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 1,392
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 3,877
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 5,269
Bill Russell 21,620
+16,351
Gary Payton 8,966
+4,866
Bill Russell 4,100
Gary Payton 2,445
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 285
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 3,030
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 3,217
+625
Bill Russell 2,592

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Gary Payton 46.6%
+2.6
Bill Russell 44.0%
3-Point Percentage
Gary Payton 31.7%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Gary Payton 72.9%
+16.8
Bill Russell 56.1%

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Gary Payton had better average in assists (+0.6)
- Bill Russell had better averages in points (+2.2), field goals made (+0.5), free throws made (+2.0) and total rebounds (+21.2)
-
- Bill Russell had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.5)
-
- Bill Russell had higher averages in field goals attempted (+1.6) and free throws attempted (+3.9)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Gary Payton 14.0
Bill Russell 16.2
+2.2
Field Goals Made
Gary Payton 5.6
Bill Russell 6.1
+0.5
Field Goals Attempted
Gary Payton 12.6
Bill Russell 14.2
+1.6
Gary Payton 0.9
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Gary Payton 2.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Gary Payton 2.0
Bill Russell 4.0
+2.0
Free Throws Attempted
Gary Payton 2.8
Bill Russell 6.7
+3.9
Offensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 1.0
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 2.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 3.7
Bill Russell 24.9
+21.2
Gary Payton 5.3
+0.6
Bill Russell 4.7
Gary Payton 1.4
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 0.2
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 1.9
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 2.8
Bill Russell 3.3
+0.5

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 Gary Payton had more total assists.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Gary Payton played more years (+2) and had more assists (+41)
- Bill Russell played more games (+11) and had more points (+518), field goals made (+148), free throws made (+359) and total rebounds (+3,529)
-
- Bill Russell had more personal fouls (+112)
-
- Bill Russell had more field goals attempted (+397) and free throws attempted (+670)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Gary Payton 15
+2
Bill Russell 13
Gary Payton 154
Bill Russell 165
+11
Gary Payton 2,155
Bill Russell 2,673
+518
Field Goals Made
Gary Payton 855
Bill Russell 1,003
+148
Field Goals Attempted
Gary Payton 1,938
Bill Russell 2,335
+397
Gary Payton 137
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Gary Payton 435
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Gary Payton 308
Bill Russell 667
+359
Free Throws Attempted
Gary Payton 436
Bill Russell 1,106
+670
Offensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 148
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Gary Payton 427
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 575
Bill Russell 4,104
+3,529
Gary Payton 811
+41
Bill Russell 770
Gary Payton 216
Bill Russell -
n/a
Gary Payton 32
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 297
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Gary Payton 434
Bill Russell 546
+112

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Gary Payton 44.1%
+1.1
Bill Russell 43.0%
3-Point Percentage
Gary Payton 31.5%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Gary Payton 70.6%
+10.3
Bill Russell 60.3%