Hakeem Olajuwon vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond and Hakeem Olajuwon 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

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Hakeem Olajuwon:
1984-85 to 2001-02
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

Hakeem Olajuwon2
Nate Thurmond0
Hakeem Olajuwon18
Nate Thurmond14
Hakeem Olajuwon15
Nate Thurmond9
Hakeem Olajuwon12
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

Hakeem Olajuwon1
Nate Thurmond0
Hakeem Olajuwon2
Nate Thurmond0
*
Hakeem Olajuwon6
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Hakeem Olajuwon12
Nate Thurmond0
Hakeem Olajuwon5
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Hakeem Olajuwon9
Nate Thurmond5
Hakeem Olajuwon2
Nate Thurmond0
*
Hakeem Olajuwon2
Nate Thurmond0
Hakeem Olajuwon3
Nate Thurmond0
*
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.
Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.
Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Hakeem Olajuwon 21.8
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Hakeem Olajuwon 11.1
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Hakeem Olajuwon 2.5
Nate Thurmond 2.7

Hakeem Olajuwon 1.7
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.1
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

Hakeem Olajuwon 26,946
Nate Thurmond 14,437

Hakeem Olajuwon 13,748
Nate Thurmond 14,464

Hakeem Olajuwon 3,058
Nate Thurmond 2,575

Hakeem Olajuwon 2,162
Nate Thurmond 125

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 3,830
Nate Thurmond 553

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 1,238
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon .512
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon .202
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon .712
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Hakeem Olajuwon 27.8
(1995)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

Hakeem Olajuwon 14.0
(1990)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

Hakeem Olajuwon 3.6
(1994)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

Hakeem Olajuwon 2.6
(1989)
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 4.6
(1990)
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Hakeem Olajuwon 25.9
Nate Thurmond 11.9

Hakeem Olajuwon 11.2
Nate Thurmond 13.6

Hakeem Olajuwon 3.2
Nate Thurmond 2.8

Hakeem Olajuwon 1.7
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 3.3
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

Hakeem Olajuwon 3,755
Nate Thurmond 966

Hakeem Olajuwon 1,621
Nate Thurmond 1,101

Hakeem Olajuwon 458
Nate Thurmond 225

Hakeem Olajuwon 245
Nate Thurmond 11

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 472
Nate Thurmond 51

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 145
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon .528
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon .222
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Hakeem Olajuwon .719
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Hakeem Olajuwon 37.5
(1988)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

Hakeem Olajuwon 16.8
(1988)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

Hakeem Olajuwon 4.8
(1993)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

Hakeem Olajuwon 2.5
(1990)
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
Hakeem Olajuwon 5.8
(1990)
Nate Thurmond 2.2
(1976)

*
Notes: * Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
** Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.