Complete Stats Comparison of Hakeem Olajuwon and Bill Russell

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Hakeem Olajuwon 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
Hakeem Olajuwon1
(points)		1
(points)		18
seasons
Bill Russell2
(rebounds, assists)		2
(rebounds, assists)		13
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Hakeem Olajuwon1
(points)		1
(points)		15
Playoffs
Bill Russell2
(rebounds, assists)		2
(rebounds, assists)		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
Hakeem Olajuwon3
stats		5
stats		2
stats
Bill Russell3
stats		3
stats		0
stats
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon3
stats		4
stats		2
stats
Bill Russell3
stats		4
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, Bill Russell had better averages in rebounds and assists while Hakeem Olajuwon had better average in points.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Hakeem Olajuwon had better averages in points (+6.7), field goals made (+2.8) and free throws made (+1.1)
- Bill Russell had better averages in total rebounds (+11.4) and assists (+1.8)
- Hakeem Olajuwon had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.8)
-
- Hakeem Olajuwon had higher averages in field goals attempted (+3.6) and free throws attempted (+0.4)
-

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Hakeem Olajuwon 21.8
+6.7
Bill Russell 15.1
Field Goals Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 8.7
+2.8
Bill Russell 5.9
Field Goals Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 17.0
+3.6
Bill Russell 13.4
3-Pointers Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 0.0
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 0.1
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 4.4
+1.1
Bill Russell 3.3
Free Throws Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 6.2
+0.4
Bill Russell 5.8
Offensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.3
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 7.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 11.1
Bill Russell 22.5
+11.4
Assists
Hakeem Olajuwon 2.5
Bill Russell 4.3
+1.8
Steals
Hakeem Olajuwon 1.7
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.1
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.0
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.5
+0.8
Bill Russell 2.7

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Hakeem Olajuwon played more years (+5) and games (+275), and had more points (+12,424), field goals made (+5,062) and free throws made (+2,275)
- Bill Russell had more total rebounds (+7,872) and assists (+1,042)
- Hakeem Olajuwon had more personal fouls (+1,791)
-
- Hakeem Olajuwon had more field goals attempted (+8,061) and free throws attempted (+2,007)
-

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Hakeem Olajuwon 18
+5
Bill Russell 13
Games
Hakeem Olajuwon 1,238
+275
Bill Russell 963
Points
Hakeem Olajuwon 26,946
+12,424
Bill Russell 14,522
Field Goals Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 10,749
+5,062
Bill Russell 5,687
Field Goals Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 20,991
+8,061
Bill Russell 12,930
3-Pointers Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 25
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 124
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 5,423
+2,275
Bill Russell 3,148
Free Throws Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 7,621
+2,007
Bill Russell 5,614
Offensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 4,034
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 9,714
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 13,748
Bill Russell 21,620
+7,872
Assists
Hakeem Olajuwon 3,058
Bill Russell 4,100
+1,042
Steals
Hakeem Olajuwon 2,162
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Hakeem Olajuwon 3,830
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 3,667
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 4,383
+1,791
Bill Russell 2,592

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon 51.2%
+7.2
Bill Russell 44.0%
3-Point Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon 20.2%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon 71.2%
+15.1
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 rebounds and assists while Hakeem Olajuwon had better average in points.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Hakeem Olajuwon had better averages in points (+9.7), field goals made (+4.3) and free throws made (+1.1)
- Bill Russell had better averages in total rebounds (+13.7) and assists (+1.5)
- Hakeem Olajuwon had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.6)
-
- Hakeem Olajuwon had higher averages in field goals attempted (+5.4) and free throws attempted (+0.4)
-

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Hakeem Olajuwon 25.9
+9.7
Bill Russell 16.2
Field Goals Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 10.4
+4.3
Bill Russell 6.1
Field Goals Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 19.6
+5.4
Bill Russell 14.2
3-Pointers Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 0.0
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 0.1
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 5.1
+1.1
Bill Russell 4.0
Free Throws Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 7.1
+0.4
Bill Russell 6.7
Offensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.2
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 7.9
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 11.2
Bill Russell 24.9
+13.7
Assists
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.2
Bill Russell 4.7
+1.5
Steals
Hakeem Olajuwon 1.7
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.3
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 2.9
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.9
+0.6
Bill Russell 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 rebounds and assists while Hakeem Olajuwon had more total points.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Hakeem Olajuwon played more years (+2) and had more points (+1,082), field goals made (+501) and free throws made (+76)
- Bill Russell played more games (+20) and had more total rebounds (+2,483) and assists (+312)
- Hakeem Olajuwon had more personal fouls (+16)
-
- Hakeem Olajuwon had more field goals attempted (+512)
- Bill Russell had more free throws attempted (+72)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Hakeem Olajuwon 15
+2
Bill Russell 13
Games
Hakeem Olajuwon 145
Bill Russell 165
+20
Points
Hakeem Olajuwon 3,755
+1,082
Bill Russell 2,673
Field Goals Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 1,504
+501
Bill Russell 1,003
Field Goals Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 2,847
+512
Bill Russell 2,335
3-Pointers Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 4
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 18
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Hakeem Olajuwon 743
+76
Bill Russell 667
Free Throws Attempted
Hakeem Olajuwon 1,034
Bill Russell 1,106
+72
Offensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 471
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 1,150
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon 1,621
Bill Russell 4,104
+2,483
Assists
Hakeem Olajuwon 458
Bill Russell 770
+312
Steals
Hakeem Olajuwon 245
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Hakeem Olajuwon 472
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 424
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Hakeem Olajuwon 562
+16
Bill Russell 546

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon 52.8%
+9.8
Bill Russell 43.0%
3-Point Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon 22.2%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon 71.9%
+11.6
Bill Russell 60.3%
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