Bill Russell vs. Joe Thomas Comparison

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

Joe Thomas

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69
Joe Thomas: 1970-71 to 1970-71

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bill Russell 11 Joe Thomas 0

NBA Seasons Bill Russell 13 Joe Thomas 1

Playoffs Played Bill Russell 13 Joe Thomas 0

All-Star Games Bill Russell 12 Joe Thomas 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Bill Russell 5 Joe Thomas 0

All-NBA First Team Bill Russell 3 Joe Thomas 0

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

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

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

Rebounds Leader Bill Russell 4 Joe 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 Joe Thomas 1.4

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 22.5 Joe Thomas 1.1

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.3 Joe Thomas 0.4

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

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

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 14,522 Joe Thomas 55

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 21,620 Joe Thomas 43

Total Assists Bill Russell 4,100 Joe Thomas 17

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

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

Total Games Bill Russell 963 Joe Thomas 39

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .440 Joe Thomas .267

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

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .561 Joe Thomas .450

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 18.9 (1962) Joe Thomas 1.4 (1971)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.7 (1964) Joe Thomas 1.1 (1971)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 5.8 (1967) Joe Thomas 0.4 (1971)

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

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

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 16.2 Joe Thomas -

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.9 Joe Thomas -

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.7 Joe Thomas -

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

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

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 2,673 Joe Thomas -

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 4,104 Joe Thomas -

Total Assists Bill Russell 770 Joe Thomas -

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

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

Total Games Bill Russell 165 Joe Thomas 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .430 Joe Thomas -

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

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .603 Joe Thomas -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

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

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

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

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

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** Joe Thomas - 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.