RIP Bill Russell

[Uncle Rico]

https://twitter.com/realbillrussell/status/1553790050839588865?s=21&t=xp3tLJtKwl2wc-KovASNwQ

Basketball’s greatest winner.  Better human than basketball player and that’s quite the accomplishment

[tower912]

Shoot.  And then a block and a rebound.  Leading to another championship.

Murf played against him.   Actually curious if he will say something.

[Herman Cain]

Russell was such a dominating force for so long. The Celtics just left everyone in the dust all the years he played .

[MuggsyB]

Huge loss to basketball.   The bottom line is Mr. Russell was the best player on 11 title teams.  Obviously he played with other Hall of Famers but the object of the game is to win and there was no one better.  In any team sport.  For those that saw him play would it be hyperbole to say he's the greatest overall defender in history?

[Herman Cain]

Huge loss to basketball.   The bottom line is Mr. Russell was the best player on 11 title teams.  Obviously he played with other Hall of Famers but the object of the game is to win and there was no one better.  In any team sport.  For those that saw him play would it be hyperbole to say he's the greatest overall defender in history?

I will take it another step and say he was The Greatest Player in history. Look at his performance head to head against Wilt Chamberlin . Look at his rebounds . Look at his blocked shots .  Look at his assists. Consistent scoring .

[MuggsyB]

I will take it another step and say he was The Greatest Player in history. Look at his performance head to head against Wilt Chamberlin . Look at his rebounds . Look at his blocked shots .  Look at his assists. Consistent scoring .

Statistically Chamberlain has better numbers head to head.  Except wins of course. 

[Jockey]

Statistically Chamberlain has better numbers head to head.  Except wins of course.

Easier to win with a bunch of HoFers.
But that is meaningless. He was a top 10 all- timer - maybe top 5.

He was courageous and a man of principle. One of the most influential athletes for good ever. He deserves ALL of the accolades he will receive this week. Boston was an extremely difficult place for black athletes.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Jesuit basketball's GOAT

[tower912]

Statistically Chamberlain has better numbers head to head.  Except wins of course.

And championships.

[dgies9156]

Favorite Bill Russell story was He was doing a commercial for AT&T long distance — back in the days when you paid for it.

He was sitting at a desk and was to flip a basketball over his head and toward a basketball hoop. When he missed an absolutely ridiculous shot, which was flipped over his head, Mr. Russell’s line was supposed to be, “I can miss, but you can’t with AT&T.

Mr. Russell flipped the ball over his head and lo and behold, the ball swished through the cylinder. As the crew filmed and broke up laughing hard, Mr. Russell looked at the camera, smiled and said, "I can’t miss and neither can you with AT&T." Even the background laughing made the commercial.

[MuggsyB]

Favorite Bill Russell story was He was doing a commercial for AT&T long distance — back in the days when you paid for it.

He was sitting at a desk and was to flip a basketball over his head and toward a basketball hoop. When he missed an absolutely ridiculous shot, flipped over his head, Mr. Russell’s line was supposed to be, “I can miss, but you can’t wit AT&T.

Mr. Russell flipped the ball over his head and Lo and behold, the ball swished through te cylinder. As the crew filmed and broke up laughing so hard, Mr. Russell looked at the camera, smiled and said, I can’t miss and neither can you with AT&T. Even the background laughing made the commercial.

15 total titles Brother dgies.  That's kind of untouchable wouldn't you say?  He seemed to erase the paint opportunities in an era where guys scored in the paint. 

[nyg]

15 total titles Brother dgies.  That's kind of untouchable wouldn't you say?  He seemed to erase the paint opportunities in an era where guys scored in the paint.

He won 11 championships in his 13 year career, including 8 championships in a row.  Will never happen again in any sport.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

He won 11 championships in his 13 year career, including 8 championships in a row.  Will never happen again in any sport.

More due to the nature of sport and not Bill Russell.

[nyg]

More due to the nature of sport and not Bill Russell.

Whatever, yes there were less NBA teams, etc.  But the Celtics accomplishments of that run 11 out of 13, will never happen in current sports. 

[JWags85]

Easier to win with a bunch of HoFers.
But that is meaningless. He was a top 10 all- timer - maybe top 5.

He was courageous and a man of principle. One of the most influential athletes for good ever. He deserves ALL of the accolades he will receive this week. Boston was still is an extremely difficult place for black athletes.

FTFY

[Herman Cain]

Statistically Chamberlain has better numbers head to head.  Except wins of course.

If you watched them in the games head to head, Russell was the dominant player in the post season.
Russell was a clutch player in the big moments.

The year Wilt averaged 50.4 MPG. Russell won the MVP.

Wilt is my number 2 all time, which speaks to Russell greatness. 

[MuggsyB]

More due to the nature of sport and not Bill Russell.

Cut the bcrap Fluffy.  I don't give a rat's ass about the "nature of the sport".  This is a legend who won 11 NBA titles (as the best player and leader), along with two NCAA titles, and two high school championships.  He's the greatest winner in the history of team sports and yet you find a way to disparage him. That's not to say I or the so called experts would slot him as the best player in NBA history, but your comment is ridiculous and quite frankly stupid.

[MuggsyB]

He won 11 championships in his 13 year career, including 8 championships in a row.  Will never happen again in any sport.

Absolutely.  But according to Fluffy it's not particularly impressive.  Smh.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Cut the bcrap Fluffy.  I don't give a rat's ass about the "nature of the sport".  This is a legend who won 11 NBA titles (as the best player and leader), along with two NCAA titles, and two high school championships.  He's the greatest winner in the history of team sports and yet you find a way to disparage him. That's not to say I or the so called experts would slot him as the best player in NBA history, but your comment is ridiculous and quite frankly stupid.

There were dominant teams in a major sports in that era. The way the game was set up back then made it much easier for dominant teams to stay together. Which means more championships.

I’m hardly disparaging him by stating that.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Absolutely.  But according to Fluffy it's not particularly impressive.  Smh.

Never said that. Too bad you have to resort to dishonesty to make your points. Ah well…

[MuggsyB]

There were dominant teams in a major sports in that era. The way the game was set up back then made it much easier for dominant teams to stay together. Which means more championships.

I’m hardly disparaging him by stating that.

Irrelevant comment, period.  It doesn't change the fact that  he won 11/13 and another four before the NBA.  You can only play in the era you're a player.  Yes, you did disparage him by insinuating that winning titles was no big whoop.  Was he the best player on 11 NBA title teams?  There have been dominant teams, in all team sports, in every decade. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Irrelevant comment, period.  It doesn't change the fact that  he won 11/13 and another four before the NBA.  You can only play in the era you're a player.  Yes, you did disparage him by insinuating that winning titles was no big whoop.  Was he the best player on 11 NBA title teams?  There have been dominant teams, in all team sports, in every decade. 

Do you always lie to make your points?  Chicos did that too. Must be a short person thing.

[MuggsyB]

Do you always lie to make your points?  Chicos did that too. Must be a short person thing.

You're in denial Fluffy. And when you are called out you attempt to manipulate and are inordinately unsuccessful.  That doesn't mean that on every topic you have idiotic points, but in this case you have failed spectacularly.  Maybe take 5 minutes, look at Mr. Russell’s career, and stop projecting utter nonsense for self-serving purposes.. 

[panda]

More due to the nature of sport and not Bill Russell.

Good point - Being the best of the best during his timeframe really isn’t that impressive after the fact.

[Lennys Tap]

I’m with Rico - really great basketball player, but more importantly, a truly great human being.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Good point - Being the best of the best during his timeframe really isn’t that impressive after the fact.

I never said it wasn’t impressive. Boy people really have trouble with logic today.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

You're in denial Fluffy. And when you are called out you attempt to manipulate and are inordinately unsuccessful.  That doesn't mean that on every topic you have idiotic points, but in this case you have failed spectacularly.  Maybe take 5 minutes, look at Mr. Russell’s career, and stop projecting utter nonsense for self-serving purposes.. 

Ummm…. He had a great career. Never stated otherwise. But the reason 11/13 will never happen again is mostly due to the differences in the game now.

[Dr. Blackheart]

So all time Jesuit team: Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Patrick Ewing, Bob Cousy, AI, Steve Nash, John Stockton and DW3.

[wadesworld]

So all time Jesuit team: Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Patrick Ewing, Bob Cousy, AI, Steve Nash, John Stockton and DW3.

Markus Howard.

*ducks*

[Lennys Tap]

Markus Howard.

*ducks*

Eight Hall of Famers, top 50 all timers and an end of the bench NBA guy. Hmmm…

[MuggsyB]

Ummm…. He had a great career. Never stated otherwise. But the reason 11/13 will never happen again is mostly due to the differences in the game now.

"He had a great career".  That's not how one would describe someone who won 15 titles and 11/13 in the NBA.  That sounds more like how people would describe Al Horford or  Rudy Golbert.  The fact that "it will never happen again" doesn't lessen his accomplishments.  Stop trying to justify your comments with more Fluffysplaining nonsense.  The man was an absolute legend, the greatest winner in the history of team sports, and a tremendous human being.  But instead of praising him you go into some drivel mode that is completely irrelevant to anyone but Fluffy. 

[4everwarriors]

Spanked, hey?


#freerocket2022

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

"He had a great career".  That's not how one would describe someone who won 15 titles and 11/13 in the NBA.  That sounds more like how people would describe Al Horford or  Rudy Golbert.  The fact that "it will never happen again" doesn't lessen his accomplishments.  Stop trying to justify your comments with more Fluffysplaining nonsense.  The man was an absolute legend, the greatest winner in the history of team sports, and a tremendous human being.  But instead of praising him you go into some drivel mode that is completely irrelevant to anyone but Fluffy. 

Well I guess reading remains a challenge for you.

[wadesworld]

Eight Hall of Famers, top 50 all timers and an end of the bench NBA guy. Hmmm…

😂😂😂😂

[real chili 83]

Do you always lie to make your points?  Chicos did that too. Must be a short person thing.

Ban hammer?

Sultan gets pinned and resorts to a personal attack.

[4everwarriors]

Ad hominem, aina?



#freerocket2022

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Jesus people, Sultans right. The game has changed and as a result, no team will win that many championships in that short of a span again. That doesn't diminish Russell's accomplishments. He is still an undisputed top 10 all time player and should be a top 5 player all time.

[Uncle Rico]

Jesus people, Sultans right. The game has changed and as a result, no team will win that many championships in that short of a span again. That doesn't diminish Russell's accomplishments. He is still an undisputed top 10 all time player and should be a top 5 player all time.

Yes.  Russell’s legacy is greater than the titles.  The on the court stuff is part of his legacy but not the most important. 

[ATL MU Warrior]

Ad hominem, aina?



#freerocket2022

Did Rocket get banned?

[Uncle Rico]

Did Rocket get banned?

Apparently so.  Maybe that new message board will open now. 

[ATL MU Warrior]

Apparently so.  Maybe that new message board will open now.

That’s too bad. He was unintentionally entertaining.

[MuggsyB]

Jesus people, Sultans right. The game has changed and as a result, no team will win that many championships in that short of a span again. That doesn't diminish Russell's accomplishments. He is still an undisputed top 10 all time player and should be a top 5 player all time.

Yes. And every single poster here, and person on the planet,  knows the game has changed  and 11/13 is improbable today.  These are "points" no one mentioned other than Fluffy because they have no reason to be mentioned at all. 

[Uncle Rico]

Yes. And every single poster here, and person on the planet,  knows the game has changed  and 11/13 is improbable today.  These are "points" no one mentioned other than Fluffy because they have no reason to be mentioned at all.

There’s also no reason to rant and rave about it

[MuggsyB]

There’s also no reason to rant and rave about it

There's nothing wrong with ranting a little bit. These are not parallel arguments. 

[tower912]

Fluffy isn't wrong.  For whatever reason, this triggers you, Muggsy.

Russell is an all time great.
The game has changed in such a way that 11-13 is unlikely to ever happen again.

Both are true.

[MuggsyB]

Ad hominem, aina?



#freerocket2022

Why was he banned?  I guess I missed that.

[MuggsyB]

Fluffy isn't wrong.  For whatever reason, this triggers you, Muggsy.

Russell is an all time great.
The game has changed in such a way that 11-13 is unlikely to ever happen again.

Both are true.

Uh....no one wrote he was wrong about the game changing and 11/13 is unlikely.

[tower912]

Muggsy, you went off due to a statement that in no way demeaned or diminished Bill Russell.   You can choose this hill to make your stand, but there is no dragon out there.

[lawdog77]

Yeah, Muggs, I think it might be the messenger and not the message. I read Sultans comment and saw no disrespect of Russell. I made up that he was just pointing out that we will likely never see a team dominate like that again.

[MuggsyB]

More due to the nature of sport and not Bill Russell.

I respectfully, completely disagree Lawdog.  This was his first sentence on the passing of the great Bill Russell.  Then his stated he was "a great player" as if he was describing Al Horford.

Would the WSJ have on their front page:

Bill Russell, NBA Legend Who Won 11 Rings, Dies at 88 and a picture of  him below the caption if this was just another player?

That's how Fluffy essentially described him.

[lawdog77]

Well he's not worng. Way back then 6 teams made the playoffs. The Top seed in each conference were in the conference finals.Just had to win a 5 game series to make the NBA finals.

It's not like he said they were playing against a bunch of plumbers and firemen.

[MuggsyB]

Well he's not worng. Way back then 6 teams made the playoffs. The Top seed in each conference were in the conference finals.Just had to win a 5 game series to make the NBA finals.

It's not like he said they were playing against a bunch of plumbers and firemen.

Again, no one said he was wrong.  No one else stated it was a different game for a reason, it's irrelevant.  We're talking about the single moat important player in the history of NBA basketball.  To write that sentence immediately, to describe this man's career, is honestly insulting.   

[Spotcheck Billy]

There's nothing wrong with ranting a little bit. These are not parallel arguments. 

a little bit?

[lawdog77]

Again, no one said he was wrong.  No one else stated it was a different game for a reason, it's irrelevant.  We're talking about the single moat important player in the history of NBA basketball.  To write that sentence immediately, to describe this man's career, is honestly insulting.

Sultan's not the first, nor the last person on the interwebs to add their opinions to a conversation. Did someone pee in your Kona coffee this morning?

[MuggsyB]

Sultan's not the first, nor the last person on the interwebs to add their opinions to a conversation. Did someone pee in your Kona coffee this morning?

But he's the only one, in a discussion of the single most important player in NBA history, who begins by stating "it was more the times than Bill Russell". As if anyone else had his winning percentage or record in elimination games.  Not to mention the fact that on a daily basis Mr. Russell dealt with terrible racism which probably didn't make playing the game particularly easy.  Fluffy reprimands Scoopers constantly Lawdog, and personally insults people.  I'm belaboring my argument but it's necessary in this particular case. 

[Uncle Rico]

But he's the only one, in a discussion of the single most important player in NBA history, who begins by stating "it was more the times than Bill Russell". As if anyone else had his winning percentage or record in elimination games.  Not to mention the fact that on a daily basis Mr. Russell dealt with terrible racism which probably didn't make playing the game particularly easy.  Fluffy reprimands Scoopers constantly Lawdog, and personally insults people.  I'm belaboring my argument but it's necessary in this particular case.

No, it’s not.

[cheebs09]

Again, no one said he was wrong.  No one else stated it was a different game for a reason, it's irrelevant.  We're talking about the single moat important player in the history of NBA basketball.  To write that sentence immediately, to describe this man's career, is honestly insulting.

He was responding to someone saying this will never happen again. This isn’t a memorial wall for Russell’s family to read.

The only reason this has turned into a multi-page discussion is due to you continuing to talk about it.

[JWags85]

Again, no one said he was wrong.  No one else stated it was a different game for a reason, it's irrelevant.  We're talking about the single moat important player in the history of NBA basketball.  To write that sentence immediately, to describe this man's career, is honestly insulting.

Yet you write completely subjective statements like this as if its some trump card.  You then get worked up if people are not completely effusive in the exact same way as you.  Bringing silly stuff like HS championships into things (when he was not at all a good player, as evidenced by his lack of scholarship offers).

Not a single person has disparaged Bill Russell.  He's an untouchable legend.  But taking early Celtics titles with a grain of salt is completely and unobjectionably fair.

[lawdog77]

But he's the only one, in a discussion of the single most important player in NBA history, who begins by stating "it was more the times than Bill Russell". As if anyone else had his winning percentage or record in elimination games.  Not to mention the fact that on a daily basis Mr. Russell dealt with terrible racism which probably didn't make playing the game particularly easy.  Fluffy reprimands Scoopers constantly Lawdog, and personally insults people.  I'm belaboring my argument but it's necessary in this particular case.

OK, how about if I say, in stats head to head Wilt mopped the floor with Bill. Wilt averaged 30 pts, 28 rebounds, 3.8 assists while shooting 48%. Russell averaged 14.2 points, 23 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 37%. A big reason why Russell gets so much love is because of his teammates, his coach, and the uneven playing field back then.

That being said, Mr. Russell is an all time great.

[MuggsyB]

OK, how about if I say, in stats head to head Wilt mopped the floor with Bill. Wilt averaged 30 pts, 28 rebounds, 3.8 assists while shooting 48%. Russell averaged 14.2 points, 23 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 37%. A big reason why Russell gets so much love is because of his teammates, his coach, and the uneven playing field back then.

That being said, Mr. Russell is an all time great.

I stated Chamberlain had better personal stats vs Russell.  Others seem suggest there is more nuance to the actual numbers and point to the win/loss percentage.  That said Chamberlain obviously would have been fine on Boston in lieu of Russell. 

[Lennys Tap]

Fluffy isn't wrong.  For whatever reason, this triggers you, Muggsy.

Russell is an all time great.
The game has changed in such a way that 11-13 is unlikely to ever happen again.

Both are true.

True that 11/13 is most likely impossible today in any of the major team sports.

Then again, true also that it was nearly impossible in Russell’s day, too - isn’t he the only one to do it?

Muggsy taking umbrage at Sultan being a tad pedantic/grumpy is interesting - is he new here?

[JWags85]

True that 11/13 is most likely impossible today in any of the major team sports.

Then again, true also that it was nearly impossible in Russell’s day, too - isn’t he the only one to do it?

Muggsy taking umbrage at Sultan being a tad pedantic/grumpy is interesting - is he new here?

I mean, Sam Jones won 10 in 12 years.  KC Jones won 8 in 9 years.  Heinsohn won 8 in 9 years,  including one before Russell.  Russell just played a few years longer than a number of those guys.

[lawdog77]

Article written by Sultan:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/441840-bill-russell-an-overrated-nba-legend

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Article written by Sultan:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/441840-bill-russell-an-overrated-nba-legend

Muggsy reaction

[Lennys Tap]

I mean, Sam Jones won 10 in 12 years.  KC Jones won 8 in 9 years.  Heinsohn won 8 in 9 years,  including one before Russell.  Russell just played a few years longer than a number of those guys.

In any true dynasty you’ll see this sort of overlap. But only one player was the leader, best player and most important player of the Celtic dynasty - Bill Russell.

[brewcity77]

But he's the only one, in a discussion of the single most important player in NBA history, who begins by stating "it was more the times than Bill Russell". As if anyone else had his winning percentage or record in elimination games.  Not to mention the fact that on a daily basis Mr. Russell dealt with terrible racism which probably didn't make playing the game particularly easy.  Fluffy reprimands Scoopers constantly Lawdog, and personally insults people.  I'm belaboring my argument but it's necessary in this particular case.

It was the times. That's pretty much indisputable.

Russell spent his whole career in Boston, winning 11 titles. Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn, KC Jones, and Frank Ramsey won titles with him and also all spent their entire careers in Boston. Every one of those names was a Hall of Fame player. You simply don't have that kind of roster consistency where you will line up Hall of Famer after Hall of Famer and have them all stay in the same spot their entire careers.

Saying what Russell did was more about the times than it was Russell isn't disparaging, it's simply an acknowledgment of reality.

[Jockey]

True that 11/13 is most likely impossible today in any of the major team sports.

Then again, true also that it was nearly impossible in Russell’s day, too - isn’t he the only one to do it?

Muggsy taking umbrage at Sultan being a tad pedantic/grumpy is interesting - is he new here?

The Yankees were in the World Series 29 times in a 43 year stretch.

Boston wasn’t a 1-off.

Russell was a great player who won over and over while playing on an all-star team in Boston against inferior opponents. There is a good case that he may be the greatest defensive player ever. He was not a great offensive player.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Yes. And every single poster here, and person on the planet,  knows the game has changed  and 11/13 is improbable today.  These are "points" no one mentioned other than Fluffy because they have no reason to be mentioned at all. 

Lol. So now you’re pretending to know what I meant all along?

[Lennys Tap]

The Yankees were in the World Series 29 times in a 43 year stretch.

Boston wasn’t a 1-off.

The Yankees (like the Celtics) were a dynasty. But the best 13 year run in the 43 year span you reference produced 8 championships, not 11. 11-13 > 8-13 - by a lot.

Boston was a 1-off.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

It was the times. That's pretty much indisputable.

Russell spent his whole career in Boston, winning 11 titles. Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn, KC Jones, and Frank Ramsey won titles with him and also all spent their entire careers in Boston. Every one of those names was a Hall of Fame player. You simply don't have that kind of roster consistency where you will line up Hall of Famer after Hall of Famer and have them all stay in the same spot their entire careers.

Saying what Russell did was more about the times than it was Russell isn't disparaging, it's simply an acknowledgment of reality.

Right. Free agency, salary caps, expanded playoffs, many more teams, etc make that type of run nearly impossible in all sports.

And that’s good!

And none of that disparages Russell.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Russell only got the easy titles.

[brewcity77]

The Yankees (like the Celtics) were a dynasty. But the best 13 year run in the 43 year span you reference produced 8 championships, not 11. 11-13 > 8-13 - by a lot.

Boston was a 1-off.

Was Boston's dynasty even the most impressive in NBA history? I'd say no. The Bulls winning 6/8 in an era of free agency with 27-29 teams was clearly more impressive. Not to mention Boston only needed to win 8 playoff games most years, while the Bulls needed 15.

8 of Boston's 11 titles in that stretch came in a league with no more than 9 teams. Yes, you still have to win, but when you had 4 Hall of Famers most years and only needed 8 victories to claim the title, it wasn't nearly the task it was for larger leagues in other sports.

When other teams like the Yankees you cite had their best runs, most were in bigger leagues. The Yankees won 12/18 in an MLB that ranged from 16 to 30 teams (28+ most years). The Packers won 5/7 titles in mostly 14 team leagues in the 1960s. One knock against the Canadiens, who won 15/24 from the 1950s-1970s, was that for a long time the Original Six was just that, a six team NHL (didn't expand until 1967).

All this is to say, it's really hard to compare across generations. Bill Russell was a great of his time. He accomplished things others have been unable to match, for myriad reasons. And I would say that he was a better person than basketball player, which is a truly amazing accomplishment because he was a great basketball player. But acknowledging the reality of what he dealt with isn't a slight, it's just providing necessary context to try to understand how it's relevant today.

EDIT: A little context...Bill Russell and Boston needed 98 wins to secure their 11 NBA titles in 13 years. Michael Jordan and Chicago needed 90 wins to secure their 6 titles in 8 years. Is that a slight to Russell, or just a statement of fact?

[JWags85]

Was Boston's dynasty even the most impressive in NBA history? I'd say no. The Bulls winning 6/8 in an era of free agency with 27-29 teams was clearly more impressive. Not to mention Boston only needed to win 8 playoff games most years, while the Bulls needed 15.

8 of Boston's 11 titles in that stretch came in a league with no more than 9 teams. Yes, you still have to win, but when you had 4 Hall of Famers most years and only needed 8 victories to claim the title, it wasn't nearly the task it was for larger leagues in other sports.

When other teams like the Yankees you cite had their best runs, most were in bigger leagues. The Yankees won 12/18 in an MLB that ranged from 16 to 30 teams (28+ most years). The Packers won 5/7 titles in mostly 14 team leagues in the 1960s. One knock against the Canadiens, who won 15/24 from the 1950s-1970s, was that for a long time the Original Six was just that, a six team NHL (didn't expand until 1967).

All this is to say, it's really hard to compare across generations. Bill Russell was a great of his time. He accomplished things others have been unable to match, for myriad reasons. And I would say that he was a better person than basketball player, which is a truly amazing accomplishment because he was a great basketball player. But acknowledging the reality of what he dealt with isn't a slight, it's just providing necessary context to try to understand how it's relevant today.

EDIT: A little context...Bill Russell and Boston needed 98 wins to secure their 11 NBA titles in 13 years. Michael Jordan and Chicago needed 90 wins to secure their 6 titles in 8 years. Is that a slight to Russell, or just a statement of fact?

Even further.  During that stretch, the Celtics had 5 players on the NBA's 50 greatest list.  During the 10 series stretch ending in '66...they faced 4 others...TOTAL on all the teams. (Baylor, West, Pettit, and Wilt)

[MuggsyB]

Bill Russell still holds the high jump record for USF.  This was pre the f-flop era.  I guess they did it stomach first back then.

Wilt was truly an insane athlete.  You do have to wonder what he could have dome with modern medicine and the comditioning of today.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Was Boston's dynasty even the most impressive in NBA history? I'd say no. The Bulls winning 6/8 in an era of free agency with 27-29 teams was clearly more impressive. Not to mention Boston only needed to win 8 playoff games most years, while the Bulls needed 15.

8 of Boston's 11 titles in that stretch came in a league with no more than 9 teams. Yes, you still have to win, but when you had 4 Hall of Famers most years and only needed 8 victories to claim the title, it wasn't nearly the task it was for larger leagues in other sports.

When other teams like the Yankees you cite had their best runs, most were in bigger leagues. The Yankees won 12/18 in an MLB that ranged from 16 to 30 teams (28+ most years). The Packers won 5/7 titles in mostly 14 team leagues in the 1960s. One knock against the Canadiens, who won 15/24 from the 1950s-1970s, was that for a long time the Original Six was just that, a six team NHL (didn't expand until 1967).

All this is to say, it's really hard to compare across generations. Bill Russell was a great of his time. He accomplished things others have been unable to match, for myriad reasons. And I would say that he was a better person than basketball player, which is a truly amazing accomplishment because he was a great basketball player. But acknowledging the reality of what he dealt with isn't a slight, it's just providing necessary context to try to understand how it's relevant today.

EDIT: A little context...Bill Russell and Boston needed 98 wins to secure their 11 NBA titles in 13 years. Michael Jordan and Chicago needed 90 wins to secure their 6 titles in 8 years. Is that a slight to Russell, or just a statement of fact?

2 natties at USF give some context in his favor too though too. The man clearly elevated teams/programs and had an incredible will to win.