LeBron James vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and LeBron James 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
LeBron James:
2003-04 to 2023-24
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

LeBron James4
Bill Russell11
LeBron James21
Bill Russell13
LeBron James16
Bill Russell13
LeBron James1 *
Bill Russell0
*
LeBron James20
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

LeBron James4
Bill Russell5
LeBron James4
Bill Russell0
*
LeBron James13
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
LeBron James19
Bill Russell11
LeBron James5
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
LeBron James6
Bill Russell1
LeBron James1
Bill Russell0
LeBron James0
Bill Russell4
LeBron James1
Bill Russell0
LeBron James1
Bill Russell0
LeBron James1 *
Bill Russell0
*
LeBron James1 *
Bill Russell0
*
* Notes: In-Season Tournament (NBA Cup) played since 2023-24.
Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

LeBron James 27.1
Bill Russell 15.1

LeBron James 7.5
Bill Russell 22.5

LeBron James 7.4
Bill Russell 4.3

LeBron James 1.5
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 0.7
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

LeBron James 40,248
Bill Russell 14,522

LeBron James 11,125
Bill Russell 21,620

LeBron James 10,933
Bill Russell 4,100

LeBron James 2,262
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 1,109
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 1,484
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James .506
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
LeBron James .347
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James .736
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

LeBron James 31.4
(2006)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

LeBron James 8.6
(2018)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

LeBron James 10.2
(2020)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

LeBron James 2.2
(2005)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 1.1
(2009)
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

LeBron James 28.5
Bill Russell 16.2

LeBron James 9.0
Bill Russell 24.9

LeBron James 7.2
Bill Russell 4.7

LeBron James 1.7
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 1.0
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

LeBron James 8,023
Bill Russell 2,673

LeBron James 2,549
Bill Russell 4,104

LeBron James 2,023
Bill Russell 770

LeBron James 471
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 270
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 282
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James .495
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
LeBron James .331
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James .741
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

LeBron James 35.3
(2009)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

LeBron James 11.3
(2015)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

LeBron James 9.0
(2018)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

LeBron James 2.3
(2016)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
LeBron James 1.8
(2010)
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.