RIP Celtics legend Bill Russell
12x All-star
11x world champion
5x MVP
And an awesome human being...
Should also add won 2 NCAA titles and 2 more NBA titles as head coach.
Basically, he's the greatest winner in basketball history.
One of my favorite cool stories of all time focused on him. I was maybe 12, 13 and had taken the bus from Jersey with some friends into the Port Authority terminal in Manhattan to watch an NBA Doubleheader at the Garden when it was on 8th Avenue around 49th street. Yes, back then, 12 and 13 year olds could go into NYC alone and the NBA, having trouble selling tickets, regularly had doubleheaders at MSG. Game 1 would generally be something like Cincy-Syracuse, game 2 often was the Knicks versus the Celtics. Anyway, we’re walking up 8th Avenue toward the Garden and got to about 47th Street, when one of us said shouldn’t we have gotten there yet. This tall African-American walking quickly, paused and said two more blocks. It was Russell. Can you imagine a peak NBA player in this day and age walking near the Garden and not attracting any attention. Ah, times have changed. RIP, Mr. Russell.
Yeah, I can remember being allowed to ride the busses and subways, alone, as a young kid in Brooklyn. And the old MSG. I also remember seeing pro ball players riding the subways in the Bronx to get to Yankee Stadium.
I saw the games with Wilt and Bill pushing and shoving each other around the paint. Those were big bodies banging each other, no pads.
Russell's career. 14,522 points. 21,620 rebounds. 4,100 assists. 341-290 W-L record as a coach. First black head coach in NBA history.
And FYI? Russell took scheiss from *no one*, ever.
RIP, Champ.
and we need to remember trolley cars and using pennies
Actually? Lol. I rode the last trolley line in Brighton Beach but that was with a parent. And pennies, still carry those for the sales taxman! That's why they have the 5th pocket in blue jeans. 😉
Michael, Lebron, Magic, Kareem, Wilt. Russel was as good as any of them. His legacy extends far past his athletic accomplishments.
People are all “he played in a different era” and I’m like sure, let’s imagine how he would’ve done with the benefit of modern S&C!
Greatest winner in NBA history, and one of the big 3 (Ali & Jim Brown) athletes in the 60's to take a stand for Civil Rights. I became a Celtics fan because of Bird, but I stayed a Celtics fan because of Big Bill & the legacy he created. And I could identify with the selfless star who did all the toughest jobs & shunned the limelight - unless he could help further justice. RIP Bill
Shortly after he retired, Bill Russell was on a lecture circuit. He came to speak in my hometown of Grand Haven of all places! After the lecture in the school auditorium, he spent a lot of time meeting and talking with everyone in the cafeteria. I will never forget the experience.
Unbelievable winner. They probably had no business winning their last title against the Lakers. The Celtics finished 4th in the East while the Lakers finished 1st in the West. He just knew how to win when it matters.
A great human being. RIP Mr. Russell.
Maybe the greatest basketball mind ever. Probably the 2nd greatest player ever after Michael Jordan. He would definitely be one of my 5 players on my greatest NBA team of all time.
Bill Russell (C/PF)
Hakeem Olajowon (C)
Dr J (SF)
Michael Jordan (SG)
Isaiah Thomas (PG)
someone really hates Lebron and players from the past 20 years
Someone really hates that people don't want to put recent era players on a pedestal, that jump ship from team to team. Stacking the deck with all stars in the process to allow for "load management" while simultaneously not having to give your all because superstar #2 can just pick up the slack on superstar #1's day off.
I still don't understand why certain fans think that "load management" is a bad thing, as if guys wanting to be able to perform at their best when it matters most and extend their careers is something uncouth. Also, everyone on that list save maybe Dr. J. (depending on how you feel about Doug Collins and Daryl Dakins) played with multiple HOFers during their primes, which allowed them to not have to carry the load every game. Hell, the Rockets created one of the first "super teams" when they first got Clyde and then a year later Barkley. And Jordan specifically fought for the Bulls to pick up Rodman during his second run because he needed more help than he felt was currently available.
Also, the fact that the NBA severely limited player movement (modern free agency didn't exist until 1988 and there were lots of examples of teams colluding against player movement even after then) had quite a bit of influence on the lack of "stacking the deck with all stars". Players back in the 60s and 70s (in particular) then were largely owned by the teams that drafted them, and they little opportunity to try to find a better situation. I guess I see players as human beings and believe they should have agency in how their lives play out as opposed to a bunch of old men who own teams and have an unearned monopoly on their lives.
Really can't say that for the GSW, other than 1 championship, all the others were with home grown / drafted players.
Russell was a great player but, more importantly, a quality human being. As the biggest name in basketball today Labron is the icon for current players, Arrrogant and concerned only with how much money he can make.
Lebron is arrogant when it comes to business of basketball which puts him in line with the standard owner of a team.
Off the court he’s been amazing especially for Akron. Y’all gotta chill w the Lebron slander.
The CCP massacred 10000 peaceful protesters at Tiananmen, broke its pledge to allow free elections, freedom of speech, and other freedoms in Hong Kong, is running slave labor camps under horrific conditions, is attempting to exterminate the Uyghurs, arrests people who dare criticize it, political prisoners are often executed, there is evidence that prisoners (particularly political prisoners) have their organs harvested and sold by the CCP, when a female tennis star disclosed she had been raped by a powerful official she disappeared and later held a press conference where said she was mistaken and had not been raped, ,,,,, This is far from a comprehensive list of atrocities.
But when an NBA official dared (as a private citizen) to make a mild criticism of the CCP Labron was all over him because the CCP was offended and his Chinese revenue would be negatively impacted,
That's why I conclude that Labron, who is apparently approaching a Billion net worth, values money more than moral considerations.
My top 5 would be:
- Tim Duncan (C/PF)
- Hakeem (C)
- LeBron (SF)
- Jordan (SG)
- Curry (PG)
I think people criminally sleep on Tim Duncan, who was one of the best defensive players of all time and a fantastic scorer. And while I love Zeke he was a below-average shooter even for his era and is about a wash as a defender, so I'd replace him with Curry. But Russell would be my 6th man off the bench followed by Bird, Thomas, Durant, and then either Kareem or Magic from those great Lakers teams.
Steph Curry and Tim Duncan would be on my complete 12 man team. I would definitely want them on the team. Can you imagine gojng big with Russell, Olajuwon and Duncan? Talk about a sealed tight defense under the hoop!!
But about Isaiah--no one ever could handle the ball and make things happen like Isaiah. Remember how, when there was a full court press, they would just inbound it to Isaiah, and then everyone jog down the court while Isaiah would single handedly go through the press? Steph Curry can't do that. And Curry doesn't lead the offense like Isaiah did. But Curry is the best 3 shooter ever. No one can stop him. He'll launch from half court if he has to.
But back to Isaiah, the way he could lead, I would want him. He was irrepressible. The only other PG I might take is Magic. And I mean might.
Isiah
I was always a bit more down on Thomas the more I looked at his career. He played in a different era and so I don't want to punish him for that too much but I think guys like Chris Paul, Steph Curry, and Magic (to say nothing of guys like Jason Kidd and Oscar Robertson) could handle the ball just as well and were better overall offensive packages compared to Isiah. And in terms of Curry, he sucks so much of the defense toward him that the rest of the offense can just hum perfectly. This isn't to knock Thomas as bad or anything (he'd be in my top 12) but I just think Curry is such a transcendent shooter and an underrated passer that I'd put him a step above Thomas. I also am of the camp that Magic was a bit overrated as a pure PG but was such a unique player in that era given his size that he almost needs his own category, much like LeBron.
No one could handle the ball like Isiah. I saw them all play. No one had desire like him. 25 points with an injured ankle, in one qtr against the Lakers.
A lot of recency bias there. What are you 30 years old with no historical education?
Truly one of the greats of the NBA, and the greatest Celtic. Infectious laugh, greatest defensive center I ever saw play, clutch free throw shooter in crunch time, 11 Championships, 12 Finals appearances in just 13 seasons, first Player-Head Coach in NBA, First African American Head Coach in NBA. RIP Mr. Russell, Number 6. God speed.
I'm going to put both Red and Larry in the Greatest Celtic ring with Russell. And Johnny Most calling Bird's "fiddlin and diddlin".
A great player and one of the better ambassadors for the sport that they've had. RIP.
Bill played in an era when defense was more than a suggestion. He blocked shots, rebounded, and delivered the outlet passes that led to the famous Celtics' fast-break baskets. I doubt he'd play in the NBA today because he wasn't much of a shooter. I watched a playoff game between Golden State and Boston earlier this year, and I could not believe what I was seeing. Players throwing up long range shots without a single teammate near the basket for a potential rebound, traveling and palming allowed. No one boxing out. Layups being passed up for three-point shots. It looked like the way we used to play on the playground when there was no coach to put our butts on the bench. I'm glad Red Auerbach isn't around to see how the game has devolved since the three-point shot was adopted.
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
Agreed. The game today is just a bunch of 3 point shots. I consider myself somewhat of an NBA historian, and the greatest basketball I've ever seen was the 1984 NBA Finals with the Lakers vs Celtics. 7 game series, hall of famers everywhere, fast breaks, intensity, historic rivalry, and players tried to get good shots instead of just flinging up 3's all the time.
Could not agree more! Bird, Parrish (The Chief), McHale and DJ versus Kareem, Magic, McAdoo & Worthy. Celts in 7.
KC versus Riley.
I used to watch "Lew Alcindor" (his name at the time) humiliate the local HS teams when I was a NYC kid. Knew he was going to be a great one...
Bernard King was an incredible scorer, but most of his points came from within ten feet of the basket. Would he be allowed to play today? Dave Cowens? Moses Malone? Adrian Dantley? Get rid of the 3 point shot and bring back the multi-dimensional player.
I know I’ll be in the minority, but I think Russel is the GOAT of basketball. He didn’t arrive at the dawn of sport broadcasting, the internationalization of the league, and merchandise marketing. His legacy would be very different if he came around the league with all the outlets and avenues Mike had. Moreover, and certainly more so than mike, he dedicated his life to social justice. He did as much to advance the civil rights of his community as he was an amazing player…and he didn’t shirk from that platform the way Mike did.
Bill Russell's record supports your view. Well said.
I remember an interview he did after playing.
He was asked about drug use.
"I decided long ago to watch life go by at its own speed."
Advice I did not follow timely.
One of my very favorite color commentators, too. What a career. RIP Mr. Russell.
August 1st, 2022 at 12:12 PM ^
I grew up as a Sixers fan who resented/hated the Celtics. One of my favorite early basketball joys was when the Sixers finally knocked off Boston in the 1966/67 season and then beat Rick Barry and the Warriors for the championship. In college I used to vigorously debate a friend from Maine who was a huge Celtics fan as to the relative merits of Wilt Chamberlain vs, Russell. My argument-- on behalf of Wilt-- was primarily statistically based combined with the fact that Russell was surrounded by a better supporting cast. But, my case was really weakened , if not completely eviscerated, by the Celtics- Lakers finals in 1969. Wilt was on a team with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor and lost to a Celtics team that was about as "long in the tooth" as any NBA Champion.( Plus, Wilt took himself out of Game 7 with several minutes left and was not reinserted by Bill Van Breda Kolff for reasons somewhat mysterious.)
What I finally accepted was that Russell was THE consummate winner. I later heard him speak at the U of Delaware and he was very impressive. He was a man who took no nonsense but also had a sense of humor and got along with people of all races. He was a force for good in the world.
https://twitter.com/MikeLupica/status/1553906631578198017?t=6BaEuBdAYTo4YuPyhSb6SQ&s=19
"In his final 14 years as a basketball player, Bill Russell's teams participated in 21 winner-take-all contests (nine NCAA tournament games, one Olympic gold medal game, ten NBA game 7's, and one deciding game 5), and Bill Russell's team won all 21."
^^^Proof that Bill Russell is hands-down the Greatest Winner in the History of Team Sports.
Think you have a piece of memorabilia signed by Bill Russell? Doubtful.
He rarely signed anything.
"Bill Russell hated autographs. Saw no point to them. If he was out dining and got approached by someone asking for his signature, Russell’s usual response was to instead ask the person to join him at the table to have a conversation about life."
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:33 PM ^
Real legend