Complete Stats Comparison of LeBron James and Bill Russell

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by LeBron James 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
LeBron James2
(points, assists)
2
(points, assists)
22
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
LeBron James2
(points, assists)
2
(points, assists)
18
Playoffs
Bill Russell1
(rebounds)
1
(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
LeBron James5
stats
6
stats
2
stats
Bill Russell1
stat
2
stats
0
stats
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
LeBron James5
stats
6
stats
2
stats
Bill Russell1
stat
2
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, LeBron James has better averages in points and assists while Bill Russell has better average in rebounds.

Who has higher averages in the Regular Season?

- LeBron James has better averages in points (+11.9), field goals made (+4.0), free throws made (+2.2) and assists (+3.1)
- Bill Russell has better average in total rebounds (+15.0)
-
- Bill Russell has higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.9)
- LeBron James has higher averages in field goals attempted (+6.2) and free throws attempted (+1.7)
-

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

LeBron James 27.0
+11.9
Bill Russell 15.1
Field Goals Made
LeBron James 9.9
+4.0
Bill Russell 5.9
Field Goals Attempted
LeBron James 19.6
+6.2
Bill Russell 13.4
LeBron James 1.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
LeBron James 4.7
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
LeBron James 5.5
+2.2
Bill Russell 3.3
Free Throws Attempted
LeBron James 7.5
+1.7
Bill Russell 5.8
Offensive Rebounds
LeBron James 1.2
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
LeBron James 6.4
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 7.5
Bill Russell 22.5
+15.0
LeBron James 7.4
+3.1
Bill Russell 4.3
LeBron James 1.5
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 0.7
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
LeBron James 3.5
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
LeBron James 1.8
Bill Russell 2.7
+0.9

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, LeBron James has more total points and assists while Bill Russell has more total rebounds.

Who has more total stats in the Regular Season?

- LeBron James played more years (+9) and games (+599), and has more points (+27,662), field goals made (+9,801), free throws made (+5,501) and assists (+7,484)
- Bill Russell has more total rebounds (+9,889)
- LeBron James has more personal fouls (+189)
-
- LeBron James has more field goals attempted (+17,653) and free throws attempted (+6,121)
-

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

LeBron James 22
+9
Bill Russell 13
LeBron James 1,562
+599
Bill Russell 963
LeBron James 42,184
+27,662
Bill Russell 14,522
Field Goals Made
LeBron James 15,488
+9,801
Bill Russell 5,687
Field Goals Attempted
LeBron James 30,583
+17,653
Bill Russell 12,930
LeBron James 2,559
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
LeBron James 7,322
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
LeBron James 8,649
+5,501
Bill Russell 3,148
Free Throws Attempted
LeBron James 11,735
+6,121
Bill Russell 5,614
Offensive Rebounds
LeBron James 1,799
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
LeBron James 9,932
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 11,731
Bill Russell 21,620
+9,889
LeBron James 11,584
+7,484
Bill Russell 4,100
LeBron James 2,345
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 1,150
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
LeBron James 5,471
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
LeBron James 2,781
+189
Bill Russell 2,592

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, LeBron James has better field goal percentage and free throw percentage than Bill Russell.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James 50.6%
+6.6
Bill Russell 44.0%
3-Point Percentage
LeBron James 34.9%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James 73.7%
+17.6
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, LeBron James has better averages in points and assists while Bill Russell has better average in rebounds.

Who has higher averages in the Playoffs?

- LeBron James has better averages in points (+12.2), field goals made (+4.1), free throws made (+2.4) and assists (+2.5)
- Bill Russell has better average in total rebounds (+15.9)
-
- Bill Russell has higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+1.0)
- LeBron James has higher averages in field goals attempted (+6.3) and free throws attempted (+1.9)
-

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

LeBron James 28.4
+12.2
Bill Russell 16.2
Field Goals Made
LeBron James 10.2
+4.1
Bill Russell 6.1
Field Goals Attempted
LeBron James 20.5
+6.3
Bill Russell 14.2
LeBron James 1.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
LeBron James 4.9
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
LeBron James 6.4
+2.4
Bill Russell 4.0
Free Throws Attempted
LeBron James 8.6
+1.9
Bill Russell 6.7
Offensive Rebounds
LeBron James 1.5
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
LeBron James 7.5
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 9.0
Bill Russell 24.9
+15.9
LeBron James 7.2
+2.5
Bill Russell 4.7
LeBron James 1.7
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 1.0
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
LeBron James 3.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
LeBron James 2.3
Bill Russell 3.3
+1.0

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, LeBron James has more total points and assists while Bill Russell has more total rebounds.

Who has more total stats in the Playoffs?

- LeBron James played more years (+5) and games (+127), and has more points (+5,616), field goals made (+1,968), free throws made (+1,200) and assists (+1,325)
- Bill Russell has more total rebounds (+1,476)
- LeBron James has more personal fouls (+117)
-
- LeBron James has more field goals attempted (+3,649) and free throws attempted (+1,413)
-

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

LeBron James 18
+5
Bill Russell 13
LeBron James 292
+127
Bill Russell 165
LeBron James 8,289
+5,616
Bill Russell 2,673
Field Goals Made
LeBron James 2,971
+1,968
Bill Russell 1,003
Field Goals Attempted
LeBron James 5,984
+3,649
Bill Russell 2,335
LeBron James 480
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
LeBron James 1,443
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
LeBron James 1,867
+1,200
Bill Russell 667
Free Throws Attempted
LeBron James 2,519
+1,413
Bill Russell 1,106
Offensive Rebounds
LeBron James 442
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
LeBron James 2,186
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 2,628
Bill Russell 4,104
+1,476
LeBron James 2,095
+1,325
Bill Russell 770
LeBron James 493
Bill Russell -
n/a
LeBron James 284
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
LeBron James 1,047
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
LeBron James 663
+117
Bill Russell 546

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, LeBron James has better field goal percentage and free throw percentage than Bill Russell.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James 49.6%
+6.6
Bill Russell 43.0%
3-Point Percentage
LeBron James 33.3%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James 74.1%
+13.8
Bill Russell 60.3%