Bill Russell vs. John Thompson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars John Thompson 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.

John Thompson

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69
John Thompson: 1964-65 to 1965-66

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Bill Russell 11 John Thompson 2

NBA Seasons Bill Russell 13 John Thompson 2

Playoffs Played Bill Russell 13 John Thompson 2

All-Star Games Bill Russell 12 John Thompson 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Bill Russell 5 John Thompson 0

All-NBA First Team Bill Russell 3 John Thompson 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 11 John Thompson 0

All-Defensive 1st Team Bill Russell 1 * John Thompson 0 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Bill Russell 1 John Thompson 0

Rebounds Leader Bill Russell 4 John Thompson 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 John Thompson 3.5

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 22.5 John Thompson 3.5

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.3 John Thompson 0.3

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 14,522 John Thompson 262

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 21,620 John Thompson 260

Total Assists Bill Russell 4,100 John Thompson 19

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Total Games Bill Russell 963 John Thompson 74

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .440 John Thompson .410

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .561 John Thompson .595

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 18.9 (1962) John Thompson 3.6 (1965)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.7 (1964) John Thompson 3.6 (1965)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 5.8 (1967) John Thompson 0.3 (1966)

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Bill Russell 16.2 John Thompson 2.2

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 24.9 John Thompson 2.7

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 4.7 John Thompson 0.2

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Bill Russell 2,673 John Thompson 13

Total Rebounds Bill Russell 4,104 John Thompson 16

Total Assists Bill Russell 770 John Thompson 1

Total Steals Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Total Blocks Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Total Games Bill Russell 165 John Thompson 6

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Bill Russell .430 John Thompson .214

3-Point Percentage Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Bill Russell .603 John Thompson 1.000

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Bill Russell 22.4 (1962) John Thompson 3.7 (1965)

Rebounds Per Game Bill Russell 29.9 (1961) John Thompson 4.0 (1965)

Assists Per Game Bill Russell 6.3 (1965) John Thompson 0.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Bill Russell - n/a ** John Thompson - 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.