Bill Russell vs. James Thomas Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars James Thomas and Bill Russell that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

Bill Russell

vs.

James Thomas

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69
James Thomas: 2004-05 to 2005-06

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bill Russell 11 James Thomas 0

NBA Seasons Bill Russell 13 James Thomas 2

Playoffs Played Bill Russell 13 James Thomas 0

All-Star Games Bill Russell 12 James Thomas 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Bill Russell 5 James Thomas 0

All-NBA First Team Bill Russell 3 James Thomas 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 11 James Thomas 0

All-Defensive 1st Team Bill Russell 1 * James Thomas 0

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 1 James Thomas 0

Rebounds Leader Bill Russell 4 James Thomas 0

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 15.1 James Thomas 1.6

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 22.5 James Thomas 2.3

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.3 James Thomas 0.2

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas 0.1

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas 0.2

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 14,522 James Thomas 54

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 21,620 James Thomas 76

Total Assists Bill Russell 4,100 James Thomas 5

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas 4

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas 7

Total Games Bill Russell 963 James Thomas 33

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .440 James Thomas .564

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .561 James Thomas .500

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 18.9 (1962) James Thomas 2.4 (2005)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.7 (1964) James Thomas 3.4 (2005)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 5.8 (1967) James Thomas 0.4 (2005)

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas 0.4 (2005)

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas 0.4 (2005)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 16.2 James Thomas -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.9 James Thomas -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.7 James Thomas -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 2,673 James Thomas -

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 4,104 James Thomas -

Total Assists Bill Russell 770 James Thomas -

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Total Games Bill Russell 165 James Thomas 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .430 James Thomas -

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .603 James Thomas -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 22.4 (1962) James Thomas -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 29.9 (1961) James Thomas -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 6.3 (1965) James Thomas -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** James Thomas -

Notes: ** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.