Bill Russell vs. Joe Smyth Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Joe Smyth 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.

Joe Smyth

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69
Joe Smyth: 1953-54 to 1953-54

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bill Russell 11 Joe Smyth 0

NBA Seasons Bill Russell 13 Joe Smyth 1

Playoffs Played Bill Russell 13 Joe Smyth 0

All-Star Games Bill Russell 12 Joe Smyth 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Bill Russell 5 Joe Smyth 0 *

All-NBA First Team Bill Russell 3 Joe Smyth 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 11 Joe Smyth 0

All-Defensive 1st Team Bill Russell 1 * Joe Smyth 0 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 1 Joe Smyth 0

Rebounds Leader Bill Russell 4 Joe Smyth 0

* Notes: Season MVP is awarded since 1955-56. Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 15.1 Joe Smyth 3.3

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 22.5 Joe Smyth 2.5

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.3 Joe Smyth 1.2

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 14,522 Joe Smyth 131

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 21,620 Joe Smyth 98

Total Assists Bill Russell 4,100 Joe Smyth 49

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Total Games Bill Russell 963 Joe Smyth 40

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .440 Joe Smyth .348

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .561 Joe Smyth .538

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 18.9 (1962) Joe Smyth 3.3 (1954)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.7 (1964) Joe Smyth 2.5 (1954)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 5.8 (1967) Joe Smyth 1.2 (1954)

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 16.2 Joe Smyth -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.9 Joe Smyth -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.7 Joe Smyth -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 2,673 Joe Smyth -

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 4,104 Joe Smyth -

Total Assists Bill Russell 770 Joe Smyth -

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Total Games Bill Russell 165 Joe Smyth 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .430 Joe Smyth -

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .603 Joe Smyth -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 22.4 (1962) Joe Smyth -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 29.9 (1961) Joe Smyth -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 6.3 (1965) Joe Smyth -

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Smyth - n/a **

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.