Julius Erving vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond and Julius Erving 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
Julius Erving:
1976-77 to 1986-87
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

Julius Erving1
Nate Thurmond0
Julius Erving11
Nate Thurmond14
Julius Erving11
Nate Thurmond9
Julius Erving11
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

Julius Erving1
Nate Thurmond0
Julius Erving5
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Julius Erving7
Nate Thurmond0
Julius Erving0
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Julius Erving0
Nate Thurmond5
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Julius Erving 22.0
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Julius Erving 6.7
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Julius Erving 3.9
Nate Thurmond 2.7

Julius Erving 1.8
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
Julius Erving 1.5
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

Julius Erving 18,364
Nate Thurmond 14,437

Julius Erving 5,601
Nate Thurmond 14,464

Julius Erving 3,224
Nate Thurmond 2,575

Julius Erving 1,508
Nate Thurmond 125

*
Julius Erving 1,293
Nate Thurmond 553

*
Julius Erving 836
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Julius Erving .507
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
Julius Erving .261
*
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Julius Erving .777
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Julius Erving 26.9
(1980)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

Julius Erving 8.5
(1977)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

Julius Erving 4.6
(1979)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

Julius Erving 2.2
(1980)
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
Julius Erving 1.8
(1983)
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Julius Erving 21.9
Nate Thurmond 11.9

Julius Erving 7.0
Nate Thurmond 13.6

Julius Erving 4.2
Nate Thurmond 2.8

Julius Erving 1.7
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
Julius Erving 1.7
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

Julius Erving 3,088
Nate Thurmond 966

Julius Erving 994
Nate Thurmond 1,101

Julius Erving 594
Nate Thurmond 225

Julius Erving 235
Nate Thurmond 11

*
Julius Erving 239
Nate Thurmond 51

*
Julius Erving 141
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Julius Erving .486
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
Julius Erving .194
*
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Julius Erving .779
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Julius Erving 27.3
(1977)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

Julius Erving 9.7
(1978)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

Julius Erving 5.9
(1979)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

Julius Erving 2.2
(1977)
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
Julius Erving 2.6
(1981)
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. 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.