Complete Stats Comparison of Paul Pierce and Bill Russell

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Paul Pierce 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
Paul Pierce1
(points)		2
(points, assists)		19
seasons
Bill Russell2
(rebounds, assists)		1
(rebounds)		13
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Paul Pierce1
(points)		1
(points)		14
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
Paul Pierce3
stats		6
stats		2
stats
Bill Russell2
stats		2
stats		0
stats
they are tied1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Paul Pierce3
stats		5
stats		1
stat
Bill Russell3
stats		3
stats		1
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, Bill Russell had better averages in rebounds and assists while Paul Pierce had better average in points.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Paul Pierce had better averages in points (+4.6), field goals made (+0.6) and free throws made (+1.9)
- Bill Russell had better averages in total rebounds (+16.9) and assists (+0.8)
-
-
- Paul Pierce had higher averages in field goals attempted (+1.1) and free throws attempted (+0.6)
-

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Paul Pierce 19.7
+4.6
Bill Russell 15.1
Field Goals Made
Paul Pierce 6.5
+0.6
Bill Russell 5.9
Field Goals Attempted
Paul Pierce 14.5
+1.1
Bill Russell 13.4
3-Pointers Made
Paul Pierce 1.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Paul Pierce 4.3
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Paul Pierce 5.2
+1.9
Bill Russell 3.3
Free Throws Attempted
Paul Pierce 6.4
+0.6
Bill Russell 5.8
Offensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 0.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 4.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Paul Pierce 5.6
Bill Russell 22.5
+16.9
Assists
Paul Pierce 3.5
Bill Russell 4.3
+0.8
Steals
Paul Pierce 1.3
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Paul Pierce 0.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 2.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 2.7
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, Paul Pierce had more total points and assists while Bill Russell had more total rebounds.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Paul Pierce played more years (+6) and games (+380), and had more points (+11,875), field goals made (+2,981), free throws made (+3,770) and assists (+608)
- Bill Russell had more total rebounds (+14,093)
- Paul Pierce had more personal fouls (+1,051)
-
- Paul Pierce had more field goals attempted (+6,535) and free throws attempted (+2,964)
-

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Paul Pierce 19
+6
Bill Russell 13
Games
Paul Pierce 1,343
+380
Bill Russell 963
Points
Paul Pierce 26,397
+11,875
Bill Russell 14,522
Field Goals Made
Paul Pierce 8,668
+2,981
Bill Russell 5,687
Field Goals Attempted
Paul Pierce 19,465
+6,535
Bill Russell 12,930
3-Pointers Made
Paul Pierce 2,143
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Paul Pierce 5,816
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Paul Pierce 6,918
+3,770
Bill Russell 3,148
Free Throws Attempted
Paul Pierce 8,578
+2,964
Bill Russell 5,614
Offensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 1,092
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 6,435
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Paul Pierce 7,527
Bill Russell 21,620
+14,093
Assists
Paul Pierce 4,708
+608
Bill Russell 4,100
Steals
Paul Pierce 1,752
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Paul Pierce 745
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 3,532
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 3,643
+1,051
Bill Russell 2,592

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Paul Pierce 44.5%
+0.5
Bill Russell 44.0%
3-Point Percentage
Paul Pierce 36.8%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Paul Pierce 80.6%
+24.5
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 Paul Pierce had better average in points.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Paul Pierce had better averages in points (+2.5) and free throws made (+1.1)
- Bill Russell had better averages in field goals made (+0.1), total rebounds (+19.1) and assists (+1.3)
-
- Bill Russell had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.1)
-
- Bill Russell had higher average in free throws attempted (+0.6)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Paul Pierce 18.7
+2.5
Bill Russell 16.2
Field Goals Made
Paul Pierce 6.0
Bill Russell 6.1
+0.1
Field Goals Attempted
Paul Pierce 14.2
Bill Russell 14.2
3-Pointers Made
Paul Pierce 1.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Paul Pierce 4.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Paul Pierce 5.1
+1.1
Bill Russell 4.0
Free Throws Attempted
Paul Pierce 6.1
Bill Russell 6.7
+0.6
Offensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 0.7
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 5.1
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Paul Pierce 5.8
Bill Russell 24.9
+19.1
Assists
Paul Pierce 3.4
Bill Russell 4.7
+1.3
Steals
Paul Pierce 1.2
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Paul Pierce 0.6
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 2.8
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 3.2
Bill Russell 3.3
+0.1

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 Paul Pierce had more total points.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Paul Pierce played more years (+1) and games (+5), and had more points (+507), field goals made (+19) and free throws made (+193)
- Bill Russell had more total rebounds (+3,119) and assists (+191)
- Paul Pierce had more personal fouls (+1)
-
- Paul Pierce had more field goals attempted (+80)
- Bill Russell had more free throws attempted (+70)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Paul Pierce 14
+1
Bill Russell 13
Games
Paul Pierce 170
+5
Bill Russell 165
Points
Paul Pierce 3,180
+507
Bill Russell 2,673
Field Goals Made
Paul Pierce 1,022
+19
Bill Russell 1,003
Field Goals Attempted
Paul Pierce 2,415
+80
Bill Russell 2,335
3-Pointers Made
Paul Pierce 276
Bill Russell -
n/a
3-Pointers Attempted
Paul Pierce 777
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throws Made
Paul Pierce 860
+193
Bill Russell 667
Free Throws Attempted
Paul Pierce 1,036
Bill Russell 1,106
+70
Offensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 125
Bill Russell -
n/a
Defensive Rebounds
Paul Pierce 860
Bill Russell -
n/a
Total Rebounds
Paul Pierce 985
Bill Russell 4,104
+3,119
Assists
Paul Pierce 579
Bill Russell 770
+191
Steals
Paul Pierce 204
Bill Russell -
n/a
Blocks
Paul Pierce 105
Bill Russell -
n/a
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 476
Bill Russell -
n/a
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Paul Pierce 547
+1
Bill Russell 546

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Paul Pierce had better free throw percentage while Bill Russell had better field goal percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Paul Pierce 42.3%
Bill Russell 43.0%
+0.7
3-Point Percentage
Paul Pierce 35.5%
Bill Russell -
n/a
Free Throw Percentage
Paul Pierce 83.0%
+22.7
Bill Russell 60.3%
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