Cross-era · careers 16 years apart

Hakeem Olajuwon vs Bill Russell

Hakeem Olajuwon 1984-2002 · Center Bill Russell 1956-1968 · Center

Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-2002) and Bill Russell (1956-1968) never shared an NBA court — their careers are separated by 16 years, so this is a cross-era comparison, not a head-to-head. On the floor, Hakeem Olajuwon was the higher-volume scorer (21.8 points per game to 15.1); adjusted for era they scored at 2.12× and 1.32× their league average respectively; Hakeem Olajuwon was the more efficient scorer (55.3% true shooting to 47.1%). Bill Russell holds the edge on accolades — 5 MVPs, 11 championships and the #5 all-time ranking to Hakeem Olajuwon's #12.

Career averages

Hakeem OlajuwonStatBill Russell
21.8 Points / game 15.1
11.1 Rebounds / game 22.5
2.5 Assists / game 4.3
1.7 Steals / game 0.0
3.1 Blocks / game 0.0
50.9% Field goal % 44.0%
10.6% 3-point % 0.0%
70.4% Free throw % 56.1%
55.3% True shooting % 47.1%
1,238 Games played 963

Era-adjusted (× league average of their era)

Hakeem OlajuwonStatBill Russell
2.12× Points vs era avg 1.32×
2.66× Rebounds vs era avg 3.67×
1.05× Assists vs era avg 1.96×

Advanced metrics

Advanced stats aren't available for Hakeem Olajuwon.

Advanced stats weren't tracked in Bill Russell's era.

Playoff averages

Hakeem OlajuwonStatBill Russell
25.9 Points / game 16.2
11.2 Rebounds / game 24.9
3.2 Assists / game 4.7
1.7 Steals / game 0.0
3.3 Blocks / game 0.0
53.0% Field goal % 42.7%
15.4% 3-point % 0.0%
72.6% Free throw % 59.9%
145 Playoff games 165

Accolades

Hakeem OlajuwonStatBill Russell
1 MVP awards 5
2 Finals MVP 0
2 Championships 11
12 All-Star selections 12
6 All-NBA 1st Team 3
#12 All-time GOAT rank #5

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