LeBron James vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond 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
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

LeBron James4
Nate Thurmond0
LeBron James21
Nate Thurmond14
LeBron James17
Nate Thurmond9
LeBron James1 *
Nate Thurmond0
*
LeBron James20
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

LeBron James4
Nate Thurmond0
LeBron James4
Nate Thurmond0
*
LeBron James13
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
LeBron James19
Nate Thurmond0
LeBron James5
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
LeBron James6
Nate Thurmond5
LeBron James1
Nate Thurmond0
LeBron James1
Nate Thurmond0
LeBron James1
Nate Thurmond0
LeBron James1 *
Nate Thurmond0
*
LeBron James1 *
Nate Thurmond0
*
* 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
Nate Thurmond 15.0

LeBron James 7.5
Nate Thurmond 15.0

LeBron James 7.4
Nate Thurmond 2.7

LeBron James 1.5
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
LeBron James 0.7
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

LeBron James 40,474
Nate Thurmond 14,437

LeBron James 11,185
Nate Thurmond 14,464

LeBron James 11,009
Nate Thurmond 2,575

LeBron James 2,275
Nate Thurmond 125

*
LeBron James 1,111
Nate Thurmond 553

*
LeBron James 1,492
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James .506
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
LeBron James .348
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James .736
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

LeBron James 31.4
(2006)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

LeBron James 8.6
(2018)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

LeBron James 10.2
(2020)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

LeBron James 2.2
(2005)
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
LeBron James 1.1
(2009)
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

LeBron James 28.4
Nate Thurmond 11.9

LeBron James 9.0
Nate Thurmond 13.6

LeBron James 7.2
Nate Thurmond 2.8

LeBron James 1.7
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
LeBron James 1.0
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

LeBron James 8,076
Nate Thurmond 966

LeBron James 2,563
Nate Thurmond 1,101

LeBron James 2,043
Nate Thurmond 225

LeBron James 474
Nate Thurmond 11

*
LeBron James 273
Nate Thurmond 51

*
LeBron James 284
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James .496
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
LeBron James .333
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James .741
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

LeBron James 35.3
(2009)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

LeBron James 11.3
(2015)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

LeBron James 10.0
(2024)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

LeBron James 2.3
(2016)
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
LeBron James 1.8
(2010)
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.