Elvin Hayes vs Bill Russell
Elvin Hayes and Bill Russell were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 1 season. On the floor, Elvin Hayes was the higher-volume scorer (21.0 points per game to 15.1); Elvin Hayes was the more efficient scorer (49.2% true shooting to 47.1%); Bill Russell created more for others (4.3 assists per game to 1.8). Bill Russell holds the edge on accolades — 5 MVPs, 11 championships and the #5 all-time ranking to Elvin Hayes's #42.
Career averages
| Elvin Hayes | Stat | Bill Russell |
|---|---|---|
| 21.0 | Points / game | 15.1 |
| 12.5 | Rebounds / game | 22.5 |
| 1.8 | Assists / game | 4.3 |
| 0.7 | Steals / game | 0.0 |
| 1.4 | Blocks / game | 0.0 |
| 45.2% | Field goal % | 44.0% |
| 4.5% | 3-point % | 0.0% |
| 67.0% | Free throw % | 56.1% |
| 49.2% | True shooting % | 47.1% |
| 1,303 | Games played | 963 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Elvin Hayes's era.
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Bill Russell's era.
Playoff averages
| Elvin Hayes | Stat | Bill Russell |
|---|---|---|
| 22.9 | Points / game | 16.2 |
| 13.0 | Rebounds / game | 24.9 |
| 1.9 | Assists / game | 4.7 |
| 1.0 | Steals / game | 0.0 |
| 2.3 | Blocks / game | 0.0 |
| 46.4% | Field goal % | 42.7% |
| 0.0% | 3-point % | 0.0% |
| 65.2% | Free throw % | 59.9% |
| 96 | Playoff games | 165 |
Accolades
| Elvin Hayes | Stat | Bill Russell |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | MVP awards | 5 |
| 0 | Finals MVP | 0 |
| 1 | Championships | 11 |
| 12 | All-Star selections | 12 |
| 3 | All-NBA 1st Team | 3 |
| #42 | All-time GOAT rank | #5 |
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