James Harden vs. Bill Russell Comparison

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

Player comparisons: / /

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
James Harden:
2009-10 to 2023-24
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

James Harden0
Bill Russell11
James Harden15
Bill Russell13
James Harden14
Bill Russell13
James Harden10
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

James Harden1
Bill Russell5
James Harden6
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
James Harden7
Bill Russell11
James Harden0
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
James Harden0
Bill Russell1
James Harden3
Bill Russell0
James Harden0
Bill Russell4
James Harden2
Bill Russell0
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

James Harden 24.2
Bill Russell 15.1

James Harden 5.6
Bill Russell 22.5

James Harden 7.1
Bill Russell 4.3

James Harden 1.5
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 0.6
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

James Harden 25,803
Bill Russell 14,522

James Harden 5,977
Bill Russell 21,620

James Harden 7,574
Bill Russell 4,100

James Harden 1,590
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 600
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 1,065
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
James Harden .442
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
James Harden .364
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
James Harden .861
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

James Harden 36.1
(2019)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

James Harden 8.1
(2017)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

James Harden 11.2
(2017)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

James Harden 2.0
(2019)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 0.9
(2020)
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

James Harden 22.7
Bill Russell 16.2

James Harden 5.5
Bill Russell 24.9

James Harden 6.3
Bill Russell 4.7

James Harden 1.7
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 0.5
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

James Harden 3,637
Bill Russell 2,673

James Harden 883
Bill Russell 4,104

James Harden 1,013
Bill Russell 770

James Harden 267
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 85
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 160
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
James Harden .424
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
James Harden .338
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
James Harden .869
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

James Harden 31.6
(2019)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

James Harden 6.8
(2019)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

James Harden 8.6
(2022)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

James Harden 2.4
(2016)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
James Harden 1.0
(2013)
Bill Russell -

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.