Besides winning in 1957...1959...1960...1961...1962...1963...1964...1965...1966...1968...and 1969...Russell also won 2 NCAA titles...and a gold medal in the 1956 Olympics...the greatest winner in the history of sports...
from 1957 to 1969 basically he's entire career must have been a fun time for everyone else in the league..he only didnt win 2 seperate years in that entire time...ridiculous
@jameswwefan1 kareem 6-rings hehe and robert horry 7 rings he might have never been the star of the team but always important and still 7 rings not bad
@Popadibs That's a very good way of looking at it :-) I agree there's so many angles probably too many to compare. N basketball is the best game every baby :-P
@morbitron6 Less teams so that teams became more familiar with each other and for their standard the players were better. What I mean by "for their standard" is that if there were only 12 teams in the nba then hypothetically 3/5 of today's players wouldn't be playing. Only the best would play in theory which would mean tougher competition. However, the game has evolved but if they had the same equipment we had they would have been better too. So many angles to look at it from. Love this game.
@morbitron6 Yep, it's too hard to pick a best player because there are too many factors to look into. I mean, we could look at fg% and stuff like that but that doesn't take into account the defenders may have been tougher in one era or when you're the top guy on a team it's a lot tougher. Different players rule for different reasons.
The thing is if you look closely....... this video has better quality than some of the other recent videos. What u thought i was gonna say lebron travelled? No !..... UMadBro *Troll face*
Notice how he never swatted any blocks, he always kept the ball in play because there is not real gain from swatting a ball out of bounds, only a little intimidation.
This is just my opinion. In his day he was the best but if he were to be put in the NBA today he would probely only be average. He was dominant because of his height. He was a great player but he was also kind of a jerk refusing to sign autographs for fans and his comments about disliking white people. He was a talented player but he was so egotistical and contraversal it took away from him as a person
@Kstanz12 dude when he played there were racism going around at the time in case you haven't notice. Of course he didn't really like white people at the time when he played because they treated him like trash. But your comment wasn't necessary.
A lot of young players can learn alot from Russell, all block shots were kept in play. All the intangibles,with money and fame never in the news for something negative, yes the game has changed, but the man and self respect never change. AS IN SPORTS is AS IN LIFE. he played the game like he ran his life, WITH DEGNITY
He was superb in his era and a legend, but I don't see him being any better than Alonzo Morning if he played today. He was only 6'9 and 215, that's a small forward today, Shaq or Hakeem would flat out murder him. There were only 8 teams back than and they played run and gun (incredible 150 possessions per game), meaning far more rebounds and also in 1960 there were only 4 players over 6'8 (including Russell and Chamberlain).
Bill Russell's talent is undeniable. However, he played in an era where many opponents were short white guys. Today, he would still be great but not so dominant as to win 8 straight titles. I am white and I support this message.
For all of you who say that if he played today he wouldn't be as good. The point is, he played THAT way back then. That's what made him amazing because his playing was revolutionary, including the factor of his height.
Bill russell HAS ALL MY RESPECT BUT,its hard for me to consider at a time when the game wasnt what it is today.they only had 8 teams back then and most of the players didnt have the athletic abilities you need this days to survive in the nba.not to deminish his accomplishment but it was just to easy for somebody like him or will chamberlain back then.
i cant imagine somebody winning 11 rings in our day and age because the compatiotion is faaaaar more big then back then.
@dramatish It's the same thing with the Jordan argument- He was the only player in the league to play the way he did. He was an evolutionary step, but I can't accept that he's the best to ever play the game- Oscar Robertson averaged triple doubles- AVERAGED. I'm sorry but that's just ridiculous. If his knees had held up who knows what could have happened.
@morbitron6 jordan had far more competition .and he wasnt the only player playing the way he did.clyde drexler for example played the same way, but he just wasnt as great as jordan.and there are many other players ... what competition did russel have .none.8 teams ..are you kidding me. you must be delusional.
Not to take anything away from Russel, but to be honest look at all of the guys he shot blocked. They were like half his height. It makes me wonder how he would do if he played now in his prime. The guys now are taller, quicker, and more talented. It would be interesting, but unfortunately we will never know.
@jfearless1 The majority of blocks that are accumulated now are still against shorter players. You can't really take any player from that era and place them in this era (as they were) and expect the same results. The players would need to have the same benefit of modern training, treatment, nutrition/dietary regimens, etc. They were the pioneers. Today's players have a far greater system in place to be groomed into becoming basketball players.
@jaywest909 I agree, but with Russel it was ridiculous. Those he blocked weren't just a couple of inches shorter. They were whole feet shorter. I don't expect the same results. I think if Russel played during the 90's with the same type of training etc. he would have been a decent player but not dominant as he was in his time. If Shaq existed during his time, he would have been a god among men. I see your point though. I hope you can see mine.
@230205 overrated? He wasn't overrated he was the best shotblocker and defensive player to ever play the game of basketball. He didn't score so much, but he didn't need to the Celtics had player who could score a lot. They needed a defensive force and that is what Russell was.
mannnnn, i have to say, the music selection was rough. very sad sounding. otherwise nice video of a trmendously gifted athlete who played way before i was born. theres really no one like him playing today that i can think of. maybe timmy duncan. he always destroyed my favorite team--go jazz! incidentally, jordan probly beats russell in a game of one on one. juuuust sayin.
this guy is by soooo much the g.o.a.t.- jordan was amazing, but i mean he just cant compare. just the small, tacit, unseen things that russell did, like every block was four more points for his team. he didn't score because he didn't have to. and as for his amazing teams look at all the rings, and the only constant was russell. look before and after- at best, the celtics were an also-ran. bill russell altered the game by himself- he could just manipulate it and change it as he pleased. g.o.a.t
I like how Bill Russell didn't go for the big blocks, instead he tapped the ball lightly so his teammates could gain possession. He didn't care about the crazy highlights, just helping his team win. What a great player
@AdreasTheGreat Im just gonna get 2 the point. Was Russell a great center in his day? Yes no doubt 1 of the greatest of all-time. Did he have weakness or fundamental flaws? Yes there were simple areas of the game like ft shooting & making short range jumpers that he never was good at fortunately he had great shooters on his great team to pick up the slack.
@AdreasTheGreat I understand that toward the end of his career he still dominated but, his listed height was 6'9 230. In 56 57 58 59 & 60 Russell was bout the heaviest center in an 8 team league other than Wilt. In 61 the league expanded to 9 teams until 66. Yes more big men started to enter the league around Russells 8th & 9th season I agree, I've never disputed that, but he never had to carry the scoring load like Wilt & Bellamy because he wasn't a very good scorer or shooter.
The C's still won it all in1969 coming back from being down 1 game to 3 against Los Angeles Russ faced all those short guys Wilt 7-1,Mel Counts ,7-0.Hank Finkel 7-0,Willis Reed 6-10,Walt Bellamy 6-11,Nate Thurmond 6-11,Clyde Lee 6-10,Elvin Hayes 6-9,Tom Boerwinkle 7-0,Bob Rule 6-9,Leroy Ellis 6-10,Ray Scott 6-9 and Walt Wesley 6-11 in that 1969 season, There were FOURTEEN NBA TEAMS IN THAT 1969 SEASON. Russ was the PLAYER COACH 35 yrs old not 36 as this video says..LMAO
@geocgeo Your talking about the late 60s Im talking about the late 50s earlier 60s when he was won the biggest players in the 8 & 10 team NBA. Greatest of that era. But Jordan didn't have luxury of playing w/a team full of hall of famers & he was undefeated in 6 finals appearance & won the nba final mvp unanimously everytime. He even won in 98 when their only other hof player was injured w/a back injury. 5 for 7 on gm winning shots in the playoffs & 2 for 3 in the finals & thats a fact.
@c2g1980 I am sorry man bur Russell was 6.10 and dominated in all 60's and do u know how many <6.10 did he face?over 50... and most of them for all the decade.Many of them were realy great.WILT,BELLAMY,REED,BEATY,REDD,LOVELLETE,PETIT,THURMOND!NOT TO MENTION SOME GREAT HOF J.LUCAS6.8,EMBRY6.8...young guys like u should have knowledge and then an opinion.
@geocgeo I respect your comments & you basketball knowledge by the way. Most of those guys debut was after Russell's 9th season. Kobe has higher fg% than 10 of those 12 centers & Iverson has a better fg% than 2 of them & thats not good. My argument is still the same. Russell was a great athelete & person, but a terrible ft & jump shooter. You are sharp guy with very good debating skills & I enjoyed debating w/you. Love all & God bless you man
The vertical on those lay-ups was horrendously low. They were getting like 12" off the floor at best & the fact that they were 7" shorter made it where they didn't stand a chance. Russell looked like he was 9' tall the way he towered over everybody except Wilt. I now c how Wilt scored 100 pts in a game.
Food for thought in the debate of which franchise, era, dynasty etc was tops (courtesy of Frank DeFord):
"The only thing we know for sure about superiority in sports in the United States of America in the 20th century is that Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics teams he led stand alone as the ultimate winners. Fourteen times in Russell's career it came down to one game, win you must, or lose and go home. Fourteen times the team with Bill Russell on it won."
Please watch the above clip carefully and note that every time Russell blocks a shot, the Celtics recover the basketball!! Russell was not about blocking a shot into the second balconey. When Russell blocked a shot, one of two things happen; (1) Russell himself comes down with the ball to trigger the fast break; or (2) Russell tips the ball to a teammate. Russell said, what good is it to block a shot if the other team still retains possession of the ball!
"The celtics were a way of life. A group of people so diverse you cannot imagine; working together, day in and day out for a common goal. What was necessary was ten players, two baskets, thirteen thousand people and one basketball. We would decide what was done with that one basketball." ~ Bill Russell
@AndreiKrakovsky what are you crazy put him in the league now in his prime bill will suck so much ass kobe would dunk on him lebron would dunk on him dwight would eat him steve nash would even be better than him
im not saying nash sucks im saying he would beat russell 1on1
You are obviously more emotional than rational. Russell was the greatest winner in the history of sports because he was one of the SMARTEST athletes to ever compete. Read his book "Second WInd" in which he describes how he and K. C. Jones would sit together and analyze the game by dividing the court into three dimensional planes and consider how to play defense against the potential passing angles of opponents. He had the INTELLIGENCE to be a champion.
@YoungZeap305 WHAT YOUNG KID DOES N'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT ALL ATHLETES BECAME MORE ATHLETIC CAUSE OF TRAINING(EVEN THOSE WHO ARE ATHLETIC).RUSSEL IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE ABOUT 45 VERTICAL LEAP,THAT IS HUGE EVEN FO TODAY AND U SHOULD CONSIDER HE DID N'T HAVE TODAY'S TRAINING TECHNIC OR STEROIDS!IMAGINE WHAT HE COULD DO IF HE HAD,OH MY GOD!DO U THINK HOWARD WOULD BE LIKE TODAY IN 60'S?THEN U KNOW NOYHING ABOUT PROFFESIONAL ATHLETS!RUSSSEL ALSO HAD SOMETHING THAT FEW HAVE TODAY,B-BALL I.Q MY FRIEND!
@DeltronsBET How old are you? 14? You having BET in your name already tells me everything that I need to know, thanks. *Cough* Mindless troll *Cough* What was that? (:
@sweetchuck93 Sheer size? 5 times the 6-foot-9 1/2 inch Russell was voted MVP. 4 times and was the league's leading rebounder. He played in every All-Star Game after his rookie year. There were many players taller and heavier that Russell out played. Russell led USF to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including 55 consecutive victories. and 2 National Championships. Sheer size..lol
@geocgeo There were many players taller & heavier than Russell? Russell was 1 of 4 players over 6'8" including Wilt. Bill Russell was the 3rd biggest player in an 8 team league & the lane was 12ft wide. They moved the lane to 16ft wide & his avg dropped to 12.6 the very next season. He wasn't blocking Wilt on those highlights not even once. Those poor guys were 4 to 9" shorter w/12" verticals. Russell was too tall & atheletic for them on defense, he wasn't much of a scorer or shooter tho.
not to sound like a hater, but look at the guys he is getting these blocks against...they are all like 6'2 white guys who throw up weak lay ups...i mean alot of those blocks are gimme's...but either way, he was a great defender and rebounder
did bill rusell has the most blocks? he makes it look like its nuthin to a boss lol i heard he has 11 championship rings is that true? im not that into the NBA thats y im askin.... and plz no asshole comments
IN BASKETBALL Bill Russell was only the BIGGEST WINNER EVER. Russell was the center for USF that won 2 N.C.A.A. titles and had a 55 game winning streak with him as the center his last 55 games at USF. Then he was the center for the 1956 U.S.A. Olympic team that won the Gold. Then 11 championships in his 13 years with the Celtics 2 of them as PLAYER COACH..
Bill Russell, the cornerstone of a Boston Celtics team that won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, including a record 8 straight titles, will be permanently honored by having The Finals MVP Trophy named for him, David Stern announced."Who better to name this prestigious award for than one of the greatest players of all time and the ultimate champion," said Stern. "Bill inspired a generation not just of basketball fans but Americans everywhere.
@geocgeo The other cornerstone was Sam Jones smooth as glass & 10 rings.... another cornerstone was John Havlicek nobody played harder or had stronger hands.... other cornerstone was Tommy Heinsohn enforcer & one of the greats of his day.... cornerstone Cousy still has to be talked about in the all time PGs... cornerstone Sharman lights-out shooter....cornerstone KC Jones one of greatest D guards... & another cornerstone of the most stacked team in history - - Red Auerbach arguable GOAT coach
@geocgeo I only saw 'em at the tail end of the 60s but no question Russell played to win & Sam Jones is the most underrated player in NBA history.
The triple doozy of Jones retiring & then P/Coach Russell quitting without notice left early 70s Celtics in a tailspin
Hondo was voted greatest Celtic in 79 or 80, driving force of all the Celtics squads I saw, early days he had Russell behind him to clear away the wreckage & then hardly sagged off when they got the monster Dave Cowens!
they didnt track blocks back then, but it wasnt unusual for bill to have 10 to 12 blocks a game.. the numbers were inflated by the breakneck pace of the era, but still an incredible number
im doing a report on him
randall5100 4 days ago
damn back then people went crazy because of one alley oop
lebron6theking 5 days ago
Besides winning in 1957...1959...1960...1961...1962...1963...1964...1965...1966...1968...and 1969...Russell also won 2 NCAA titles...and a gold medal in the 1956 Olympics...the greatest winner in the history of sports...
beatlejim64 1 week ago
from 1957 to 1969 basically he's entire career must have been a fun time for everyone else in the league..he only didnt win 2 seperate years in that entire time...ridiculous
comerunwithmig 3 weeks ago
@jameswwefan1 kareem 6-rings hehe and robert horry 7 rings he might have never been the star of the team but always important and still 7 rings not bad
comerunwithmig 3 weeks ago
@Popadibs That's a very good way of looking at it :-) I agree there's so many angles probably too many to compare. N basketball is the best game every baby :-P
WisePhill 1 month ago
11 rings
SNIPEUDOWN477 1 month ago
11 champions
SNIPEUDOWN477 1 month ago
travel at 2:28
JoeCav96 1 month ago
He Looks Like Micheal Jordan Mixed Wit Denzel Washinton
ASHTREFISHER 2 months ago
@jameswwefan1 Robert Horry has 7, can't count him out.
pinswade 2 months ago
fun fact bill russel first african american to play in the nba
josh28at 2 months ago
@josh28at no he wasn't you fuckin moron
lucashowardable 1 month ago
@jameswwefan1 Rings tend to be somewhat misleading a bit, actually.
moviehypno23 2 months ago
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF ALL TIME- HANDS DOWN
klook 2 months ago
@klook after Hakeem
Vergecurtis 2 months ago
I really hope its true that the miami heat are picking up bill russel for center hell help win 8 bring back bill
GreenFrankenstein 2 months ago
Lebron james and micheal jordan are more dominate than bill russel and a better players
GreenFrankenstein 2 months ago
14 champion ships won if you include his coaching
thektf2996 3 months ago
he is better then mj point said!
SuperChriz56 3 months ago
@SuperChriz56 how can you compare a center and a sg? you obviously dont know much about basketball.
lololsdadsa 2 months ago
this mofo has more rings than fingers
MadMunchies5 3 months ago
The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe you might block every shot. - Bill Russell.
atxbeast7 3 months ago
The greatest blocker/rebounder the league will EVER SEE!!!
OompaLoompa211 4 months ago
@jameswwefan1 lmao @ the headband comment :D
irockzify 4 months ago
he sounds like Morgan Freeman
MrDiscostu32 4 months ago in playlist Bill Rusell
@MrDiscostu32 I thought so too. At a quick glance they look similar too.
Popadibs 2 months ago
Did Bill Russell die? This music sounds like he died.
MerkinMuffly 4 months ago
@MerkinMuffly No. He's still alive.
MIKESOWELL 4 months ago
11 rings !!!!!!!!!!
magicjohnsonist 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNEW HE'S ONLY 6'9?
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNEW HE ALSO WON 2 RINGS IN COLLEGE?
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNOW MODERN CENTERS THAT AREN'T OVER 7 FOOT?
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNOW A TEAM THAT WON 8 TITLES IN A ROW?
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT GOT A CHAMPIONSHIP THEIR ROOKIE YEAR?
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT HAD THE TALENT TO BE A PLAYER AND A COACH SIMULTANEOUSLY?
BILL RUSSEL HAS PROVED TO BE THERE BEST EVER HIS RECORDS ARE UNTOUCHABLE.
Cooley96 4 months ago
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNEW HE'S ONLY 6'9?
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNEW HE ALSO WON 2 RINGS IN COLLEGE?
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNOW MODERN CENTERS THAT AREN'T OVER 7 FOOT?
HOW MANY OF YOU PEOPLE KNOW A TEAM THAT WON 8 TITLES IN A ROW?
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT GOT A CHAMPIONSHIP THEIR ROOKIE YEAR?
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT HAD THE TALENT TO BE A PLAYER AND A COACH SIMULTANEOUSLY?
BILL RUSSEL HAS PROVED TO BE THERE BEST EVER HIS RECORDS ARE UNTOUCHABLE.
Cooley96 4 months ago 2
@Cooley96 And his college rings were back to back and 55 game streak in two seasons put together with one loss all in college
TheTjzf 4 months ago
@TheTjzf yup, proves to be perfect.
Cooley96 4 months ago
@Cooley96 How many of you people know there was only 11 other teams in league? That skews things a bit there partner.
morbitron6 3 months ago
@morbitron6 Not really how come none of the other 11 teams did what he did then?
Cooley96 3 months ago
@morbitron6 Less teams so that teams became more familiar with each other and for their standard the players were better. What I mean by "for their standard" is that if there were only 12 teams in the nba then hypothetically 3/5 of today's players wouldn't be playing. Only the best would play in theory which would mean tougher competition. However, the game has evolved but if they had the same equipment we had they would have been better too. So many angles to look at it from. Love this game.
Popadibs 2 months ago
@Popadibs Serious right?! Best game ever played man. too good.
morbitron6 2 months ago
@morbitron6 Yep, it's too hard to pick a best player because there are too many factors to look into. I mean, we could look at fg% and stuff like that but that doesn't take into account the defenders may have been tougher in one era or when you're the top guy on a team it's a lot tougher. Different players rule for different reasons.
Popadibs 2 months ago
I hope hes as good on 2k12 :)
PojekGwapzpo123 4 months ago 2
Bill russell is the best rebounder and shot blocker ever. he averaged 22 rebounds per game in his career and tons of blocks
Carmelo7AnthonyFan 5 months ago
one of the few people who would still be good now
flashy4286 5 months ago
HAHA
the Russell Hustle !1111
AdjustTo 5 months ago
The thing is if you look closely....... this video has better quality than some of the other recent videos. What u thought i was gonna say lebron travelled? No !..... UMadBro *Troll face*
Robinqq11 5 months ago
2:51 for the ladies
philsense 5 months ago
its funny how when someone blocks they think their bad but it goes out of bounds and that block didn't mean anything.
sk8trman1296 5 months ago
Notice how he never swatted any blocks, he always kept the ball in play because there is not real gain from swatting a ball out of bounds, only a little intimidation.
karateman9157 5 months ago 3
@karateman9157 thanks captain obvious...
FlashyBandit 5 months ago
@FlashyBandit lol just clarifying
karateman9157 5 months ago
haha people went ape shit back in the day when some one dunked
ludaria 5 months ago
is this music from chrono cross?
Inthesetrenches 5 months ago
hes got no right hand
ManWeenie 5 months ago
Bill Russel would block lebron
Mike101Gunit 5 months ago
bull russells just getting it in on and off the court
shanravi21 5 months ago
Bill Russell = 11 rings
The planet Saturn = 7 rings
Michael Jordan = 6 rings
Kobe Bryant = 5 rings
LeBron James = a headband
Kwame Brown = A beard
The improved version
JappleAxe 5 months ago 8
i wish our nba could be al aboyt the big man again
bodmon32 6 months ago
ima let you finish but dwight howard is one of the best blockers of all time
MySlaveeMaster 6 months ago
@MySlaveeMaster lol bill russel tought dwight all that shit lol
hornymen12 5 months ago 2
exactly how the fuck is jordan better than him?
nekaneka11 6 months ago 2
@nekaneka11 played against better people?
shawnchon117 3 months ago
what is the song playing in the background?
skyscrapertheprince 6 months ago
@skyscrapertheprince if you still haven't found out the name of the song, it's "Chrono Cross OST - Star-Stealing Girl"
ratede91 5 months ago
This is just my opinion. In his day he was the best but if he were to be put in the NBA today he would probely only be average. He was dominant because of his height. He was a great player but he was also kind of a jerk refusing to sign autographs for fans and his comments about disliking white people. He was a talented player but he was so egotistical and contraversal it took away from him as a person
Kstanz12 6 months ago
@Kstanz12 look at the times he grew up in..
AgrivatedKillah 6 months ago
@Kstanz12 dude when he played there were racism going around at the time in case you haven't notice. Of course he didn't really like white people at the time when he played because they treated him like trash. But your comment wasn't necessary.
sk8trman1296 5 months ago
best winning player in NBA history.
KB24isClutcherThanMJ 6 months ago 2
A lot of young players can learn alot from Russell, all block shots were kept in play. All the intangibles,with money and fame never in the news for something negative, yes the game has changed, but the man and self respect never change. AS IN SPORTS is AS IN LIFE. he played the game like he ran his life, WITH DEGNITY
garwo280 7 months ago
He was Larry Birds idol Thats How Good He Is
CaptPrice274 7 months ago
LeBron didn't feel like he was worthy of Jordan's number after moving from Cleveland. So he tries Russel's number in Miami. Double FAIL
JonRoyalty 7 months ago
whole different game back then.
PangeaYT 7 months ago
He was superb in his era and a legend, but I don't see him being any better than Alonzo Morning if he played today. He was only 6'9 and 215, that's a small forward today, Shaq or Hakeem would flat out murder him. There were only 8 teams back than and they played run and gun (incredible 150 possessions per game), meaning far more rebounds and also in 1960 there were only 4 players over 6'8 (including Russell and Chamberlain).
HymanKaplan 7 months ago
@HymanKaplan HMM maybe offensively but not defensvely didn't he play throughout the 70s aswell?
zingerdinger112 7 months ago
He did this shit in chucks
bulletkip 7 months ago 19
Great man we need to love him while we have him
TheEman67 7 months ago
Bill Russell's talent is undeniable. However, he played in an era where many opponents were short white guys. Today, he would still be great but not so dominant as to win 8 straight titles. I am white and I support this message.
Fringo59 7 months ago
Growing up, i always thought Jordan was the greatest to walk the court. Until my dad told me to look up Bill Russell. Now i am a changed man hahaha
BigBrueser 7 months ago
For all of you who say that if he played today he wouldn't be as good. The point is, he played THAT way back then. That's what made him amazing because his playing was revolutionary, including the factor of his height.
unrealityproduction 7 months ago
The only REAL TRUE LEGEND to wear number 6. Bill Russell.
jas68maro 7 months ago
Bill russell HAS ALL MY RESPECT BUT,its hard for me to consider at a time when the game wasnt what it is today.they only had 8 teams back then and most of the players didnt have the athletic abilities you need this days to survive in the nba.not to deminish his accomplishment but it was just to easy for somebody like him or will chamberlain back then.
i cant imagine somebody winning 11 rings in our day and age because the compatiotion is faaaaar more big then back then.
dramatish 7 months ago
@dramatish It's the same thing with the Jordan argument- He was the only player in the league to play the way he did. He was an evolutionary step, but I can't accept that he's the best to ever play the game- Oscar Robertson averaged triple doubles- AVERAGED. I'm sorry but that's just ridiculous. If his knees had held up who knows what could have happened.
morbitron6 3 months ago
@morbitron6 jordan had far more competition .and he wasnt the only player playing the way he did.clyde drexler for example played the same way, but he just wasnt as great as jordan.and there are many other players ... what competition did russel have .none.8 teams ..are you kidding me. you must be delusional.
dramatish 3 months ago
it was way easier to win a title back then so thats why he has 11 but still one of the greatest ever to live
Greencubs10 7 months ago
You could say the same with jordan. All the guys in that era were built like football players. They were all too slow with little pure athletes
jpatt34 8 months ago
Not to take anything away from Russel, but to be honest look at all of the guys he shot blocked. They were like half his height. It makes me wonder how he would do if he played now in his prime. The guys now are taller, quicker, and more talented. It would be interesting, but unfortunately we will never know.
jfearless1 8 months ago
@jfearless1 The majority of blocks that are accumulated now are still against shorter players. You can't really take any player from that era and place them in this era (as they were) and expect the same results. The players would need to have the same benefit of modern training, treatment, nutrition/dietary regimens, etc. They were the pioneers. Today's players have a far greater system in place to be groomed into becoming basketball players.
jaywest909 7 months ago
@jaywest909 I agree, but with Russel it was ridiculous. Those he blocked weren't just a couple of inches shorter. They were whole feet shorter. I don't expect the same results. I think if Russel played during the 90's with the same type of training etc. he would have been a decent player but not dominant as he was in his time. If Shaq existed during his time, he would have been a god among men. I see your point though. I hope you can see mine.
jfearless1 7 months ago
its a shame that we dont have more footage of players lie russell wilt or the big o
JAB281 8 months ago
What song is playing in the background? It's fits Bill Russell's legacy as a person off the court perfectly.
JB11sos 8 months ago
@230205 overrated? He wasn't overrated he was the best shotblocker and defensive player to ever play the game of basketball. He didn't score so much, but he didn't need to the Celtics had player who could score a lot. They needed a defensive force and that is what Russell was.
basketball4ever231 8 months ago
song?
JGarin97 9 months ago
alley oops were crazy to people back then lol
hayzuz3 9 months ago
mannnnn, i have to say, the music selection was rough. very sad sounding. otherwise nice video of a trmendously gifted athlete who played way before i was born. theres really no one like him playing today that i can think of. maybe timmy duncan. he always destroyed my favorite team--go jazz! incidentally, jordan probly beats russell in a game of one on one. juuuust sayin.
thegoodsundance 9 months ago
The Greatest Celtic of all-time
LacDaRipper 9 months ago
this guy is by soooo much the g.o.a.t.- jordan was amazing, but i mean he just cant compare. just the small, tacit, unseen things that russell did, like every block was four more points for his team. he didn't score because he didn't have to. and as for his amazing teams look at all the rings, and the only constant was russell. look before and after- at best, the celtics were an also-ran. bill russell altered the game by himself- he could just manipulate it and change it as he pleased. g.o.a.t
rjbaseball21 9 months ago
overrated
230205 10 months ago
I'll just come right out and say it- LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael friggin' Jordan can't touch Bill Russell.
thenintendogamer 10 months ago
Bill Russell is GOD
Jordan Is Jesus
PojekGwapzpo123 11 months ago 18
@PojekGwapzpo123 comon now don't be blasphemus now
emmadazz 4 months ago
@PojekGwapzpo123 What about Dr.J, Jerry West the NBA symbol its not always about Jordan but i agree with the Bill Russell part
TheTjzf 4 months ago
I like how Bill Russell didn't go for the big blocks, instead he tapped the ball lightly so his teammates could gain possession. He didn't care about the crazy highlights, just helping his team win. What a great player
Baseballbat95 11 months ago
nice vid, the music made his basketball career seem quite epic, like he was battling against the odds or some shit
MrMotty654 11 months ago
@AdreasTheGreat Im just gonna get 2 the point. Was Russell a great center in his day? Yes no doubt 1 of the greatest of all-time. Did he have weakness or fundamental flaws? Yes there were simple areas of the game like ft shooting & making short range jumpers that he never was good at fortunately he had great shooters on his great team to pick up the slack.
c2g1980 11 months ago
@AdreasTheGreat I understand that toward the end of his career he still dominated but, his listed height was 6'9 230. In 56 57 58 59 & 60 Russell was bout the heaviest center in an 8 team league other than Wilt. In 61 the league expanded to 9 teams until 66. Yes more big men started to enter the league around Russells 8th & 9th season I agree, I've never disputed that, but he never had to carry the scoring load like Wilt & Bellamy because he wasn't a very good scorer or shooter.
c2g1980 11 months ago
never seen anyone mix chrono cross music with basketball :) nice choice!
ShadowClyde 11 months ago
The C's still won it all in1969 coming back from being down 1 game to 3 against Los Angeles Russ faced all those short guys Wilt 7-1,Mel Counts ,7-0.Hank Finkel 7-0,Willis Reed 6-10,Walt Bellamy 6-11,Nate Thurmond 6-11,Clyde Lee 6-10,Elvin Hayes 6-9,Tom Boerwinkle 7-0,Bob Rule 6-9,Leroy Ellis 6-10,Ray Scott 6-9 and Walt Wesley 6-11 in that 1969 season, There were FOURTEEN NBA TEAMS IN THAT 1969 SEASON. Russ was the PLAYER COACH 35 yrs old not 36 as this video says..LMAO
watch?v=H2AGB7SrvK8
geocgeo 11 months ago
@geocgeo Your talking about the late 60s Im talking about the late 50s earlier 60s when he was won the biggest players in the 8 & 10 team NBA. Greatest of that era. But Jordan didn't have luxury of playing w/a team full of hall of famers & he was undefeated in 6 finals appearance & won the nba final mvp unanimously everytime. He even won in 98 when their only other hof player was injured w/a back injury. 5 for 7 on gm winning shots in the playoffs & 2 for 3 in the finals & thats a fact.
c2g1980 11 months ago
@c2g1980 I am sorry man bur Russell was 6.10 and dominated in all 60's and do u know how many <6.10 did he face?over 50... and most of them for all the decade.Many of them were realy great.WILT,BELLAMY,REED,BEATY,REDD,LOVELLETE,PETIT,THURMOND!NOT TO MENTION SOME GREAT HOF J.LUCAS6.8,EMBRY6.8...young guys like u should have knowledge and then an opinion.
AdreasTheGreat 11 months ago
@geocgeo I respect your comments & you basketball knowledge by the way. Most of those guys debut was after Russell's 9th season. Kobe has higher fg% than 10 of those 12 centers & Iverson has a better fg% than 2 of them & thats not good. My argument is still the same. Russell was a great athelete & person, but a terrible ft & jump shooter. You are sharp guy with very good debating skills & I enjoyed debating w/you. Love all & God bless you man
c2g1980 11 months ago
The vertical on those lay-ups was horrendously low. They were getting like 12" off the floor at best & the fact that they were 7" shorter made it where they didn't stand a chance. Russell looked like he was 9' tall the way he towered over everybody except Wilt. I now c how Wilt scored 100 pts in a game.
c2g1980 11 months ago
Food for thought in the debate of which franchise, era, dynasty etc was tops (courtesy of Frank DeFord):
"The only thing we know for sure about superiority in sports in the United States of America in the 20th century is that Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics teams he led stand alone as the ultimate winners. Fourteen times in Russell's career it came down to one game, win you must, or lose and go home. Fourteen times the team with Bill Russell on it won."
Sampson678 11 months ago
Please watch the above clip carefully and note that every time Russell blocks a shot, the Celtics recover the basketball!! Russell was not about blocking a shot into the second balconey. When Russell blocked a shot, one of two things happen; (1) Russell himself comes down with the ball to trigger the fast break; or (2) Russell tips the ball to a teammate. Russell said, what good is it to block a shot if the other team still retains possession of the ball!
AndreiKrakovsky 1 year ago
@AndreiKrakovsky
nice insight
japplegren 1 year ago
"The celtics were a way of life. A group of people so diverse you cannot imagine; working together, day in and day out for a common goal. What was necessary was ten players, two baskets, thirteen thousand people and one basketball. We would decide what was done with that one basketball." ~ Bill Russell
Gives me goosebumps
Ivantheterrible666 1 year ago
Russell = 11 NBA Championships in 13 years; the last two championships he won as both a player and THE COACH!!
Russell beat the LA Fakers SEVEN TIMES for the championship!
Russell = 1 USA Olympic Gold Medal
Russell = 2 NCAA Championships
Russell = The GREATEST Athlete in the history of sports
AndreiKrakovsky 1 year ago
@AndreiKrakovsky what are you crazy put him in the league now in his prime bill will suck so much ass kobe would dunk on him lebron would dunk on him dwight would eat him steve nash would even be better than him
im not saying nash sucks im saying he would beat russell 1on1
YoungZeap305 11 months ago
@YoungZeap305
You are obviously more emotional than rational. Russell was the greatest winner in the history of sports because he was one of the SMARTEST athletes to ever compete. Read his book "Second WInd" in which he describes how he and K. C. Jones would sit together and analyze the game by dividing the court into three dimensional planes and consider how to play defense against the potential passing angles of opponents. He had the INTELLIGENCE to be a champion.
AndreiKrakovsky 11 months ago
@YoungZeap305 WHAT YOUNG KID DOES N'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT ALL ATHLETES BECAME MORE ATHLETIC CAUSE OF TRAINING(EVEN THOSE WHO ARE ATHLETIC).RUSSEL IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE ABOUT 45 VERTICAL LEAP,THAT IS HUGE EVEN FO TODAY AND U SHOULD CONSIDER HE DID N'T HAVE TODAY'S TRAINING TECHNIC OR STEROIDS!IMAGINE WHAT HE COULD DO IF HE HAD,OH MY GOD!DO U THINK HOWARD WOULD BE LIKE TODAY IN 60'S?THEN U KNOW NOYHING ABOUT PROFFESIONAL ATHLETS!RUSSSEL ALSO HAD SOMETHING THAT FEW HAVE TODAY,B-BALL I.Q MY FRIEND!
AdreasTheGreat 11 months ago
Comment removed
Ivantheterrible666 1 year ago
@Ivantheterrible666 LOL celtics....a way of life?? HAHAHA I smell SKUNK!!
LAKERS Nation bayyybyyy!!!
DeltronsBET 1 year ago
Russel is better than Chamberlain
LT21Ward86 1 year ago
@LT21Ward86 LOL Kareem tops them BOTH!!! Hahaha~
LAKERS Nation baybyyy!!!
DeltronsBET 1 year ago
@DeltronsBET Not in a million years, russel is the best center ever, second best player ever
LT21Ward86 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@DeltronsBET you're a trolling moron; you are aware of this?
Ivantheterrible666 1 year ago
bill russell, wilt chamberlain, and shaq are the best centers of all-time period!!!!
MouseMick101 1 year ago
@MouseMick101 I smell skunk!! Kareem tops them ALLLL!!
LAKERS nation bayybyyy!!
DeltronsBET 1 year ago
@DeltronsBET How old are you? 14? You having BET in your name already tells me everything that I need to know, thanks. *Cough* Mindless troll *Cough* What was that? (:
Ivantheterrible666 1 year ago
The song is from the Chrono Cross Playstation game.
rnvarma 1 year ago
@rnvarma
whats it called tho? cuz i fukin love it
deathklok96 1 year ago
@deathklok96 The song title is "star stealing girl" from Chrono Cross for playstation.
Sampson678 11 months ago
@Sampson678
thanx dog
deathklok96 11 months ago
smart blocks. his blocks got you the ball, unlike the swatting it 3 rows back, and thus giving the ball back..
sh4p31y 1 year ago
1:42 russell: damn, how many times i gotta do this to make em learn. that ball aint going in.
nevermindthebanana 1 year ago
you know bill russell has to be the smartest player ever........he led his team to ELEVEN championships!
razzle9438 1 year ago
Russell was the best basketball player of all time because he was the SMARTEST basketball player of all time.
AndreiKrakovsky 1 year ago
@AndreiKrakovsky LOL I Smell SKUNK!!!! Rullssell played in the dinosaur ages, They SOFT!! KAREEM easily top this niggaa!!
LAKERS Nation bayyybyyy!!!
DeltronsBET 1 year ago
@DeltronsBET
If you smell a skunk it is because your breath must be blowing back in your face.
Speaking of smells, Kareem looked like a human roll on deodorant stick
AndreiKrakovsky 1 year ago
@DeltronsBET yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LA4LIFE fuck Celtics bitch ass Boston
YoungZeap305 11 months ago
Russell was the best defender because of his sheer size and presence but not the best player.
sweetchuck93 1 year ago
@sweetchuck93 Sheer size? 5 times the 6-foot-9 1/2 inch Russell was voted MVP. 4 times and was the league's leading rebounder. He played in every All-Star Game after his rookie year. There were many players taller and heavier that Russell out played. Russell led USF to NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including 55 consecutive victories. and 2 National Championships. Sheer size..lol
geocgeo 1 year ago
@geocgeo There were many players taller & heavier than Russell? Russell was 1 of 4 players over 6'8" including Wilt. Bill Russell was the 3rd biggest player in an 8 team league & the lane was 12ft wide. They moved the lane to 16ft wide & his avg dropped to 12.6 the very next season. He wasn't blocking Wilt on those highlights not even once. Those poor guys were 4 to 9" shorter w/12" verticals. Russell was too tall & atheletic for them on defense, he wasn't much of a scorer or shooter tho.
c2g1980 11 months ago
Nice pictures and song
cfaron87 1 year ago
Could be the greatest player, but was the biggest asshole.
MuddyHarp1 1 year ago
@MuddyHarp1 r u kiding hes a great person
TheEman67 1 year ago
my favorite player of all time is a LEFTY!!!!!! LET'S GO BOY!!!!!!!
lefthookD 1 year ago
This is some nice music. Anybody know the name of it or the music artist it's from?
KavenBallaTV 1 year ago
bill russell was a MONSTER! he is the greatest winner of all time!
razzle9438 1 year ago
11 RINGS More then his fingers one word WOW
MovieCircus 1 year ago
yes no doubt he's the best nba defender ... because tehre weere no reverse lay-up or double clutch in mid air back then.... lolx =)
bodenjo 1 year ago
i can't get over how short those shorts are lol
astroid911 1 year ago
@astroid911 I can't get over how long the shorts are now.
unclebobunclebob 1 year ago
He was the first person to ever dunk an alleyoop.
ratsplayingbasketbal 1 year ago
ooh.. nice song
cfaron87 1 year ago
the music makes me want to cry, does anyone just happen to know the soundtrack they used for this?
michaelrawr 1 year ago
Him and MJ are in a class by themselves
i8yokity 1 year ago
@i8yokity him MJ, and now Kobe
FellThruTheBasement 1 year ago
@FellThruTheBasement You are sadly mistaken. Kobe has led two teams to titles and been a role player on three others. MJ led SIX teams to titles.
i8yokity 1 year ago
@i8yokity good point. you are right.
FellThruTheBasement 1 year ago
not to sound like a hater, but look at the guys he is getting these blocks against...they are all like 6'2 white guys who throw up weak lay ups...i mean alot of those blocks are gimme's...but either way, he was a great defender and rebounder
kareemshaibi 1 year ago
bill russell is without a doubt the best defender in nba history
89frisco 1 year ago
beautiful
TruthIsSweet7 1 year ago
he may have 11 rings but wilt had 11 bitches every night
phattown213 1 year ago
@phattown213 If you believe that you are very gullible..
13war25 1 year ago
he played with my CELTICS XD
NaYarB04 1 year ago
bill is legendary he has 11 rings
razzle9438 1 year ago
did bill rusell has the most blocks? he makes it look like its nuthin to a boss lol i heard he has 11 championship rings is that true? im not that into the NBA thats y im askin.... and plz no asshole comments
818KLOWNER 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
IN BASKETBALL Bill Russell was only the BIGGEST WINNER EVER. Russell was the center for USF that won 2 N.C.A.A. titles and had a 55 game winning streak with him as the center his last 55 games at USF. Then he was the center for the 1956 U.S.A. Olympic team that won the Gold. Then 11 championships in his 13 years with the Celtics 2 of them as PLAYER COACH..
A RECORD THAT WILL NEVER BE MATCHED
NEVER!!!.
2 N.C.A.A. tiles
Olmpic Gold Medal
11 N.B.A. titles.
2 N.B.A. Titles as PLAYER coach
geocgeo 1 year ago 3
Bill Russell, the cornerstone of a Boston Celtics team that won 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, including a record 8 straight titles, will be permanently honored by having The Finals MVP Trophy named for him, David Stern announced."Who better to name this prestigious award for than one of the greatest players of all time and the ultimate champion," said Stern. "Bill inspired a generation not just of basketball fans but Americans everywhere.
geocgeo 1 year ago 22
@geocgeo you also have to include 2 ncaa championships cptain of a gold metal olympic team and was a player head coach for 2 of the nba championships
sdc39 1 year ago
@geocgeo The other cornerstone was Sam Jones smooth as glass & 10 rings.... another cornerstone was John Havlicek nobody played harder or had stronger hands.... other cornerstone was Tommy Heinsohn enforcer & one of the greats of his day.... cornerstone Cousy still has to be talked about in the all time PGs... cornerstone Sharman lights-out shooter....cornerstone KC Jones one of greatest D guards... & another cornerstone of the most stacked team in history - - Red Auerbach arguable GOAT coach
stere0brain 7 months ago
@geocgeo I only saw 'em at the tail end of the 60s but no question Russell played to win & Sam Jones is the most underrated player in NBA history.
The triple doozy of Jones retiring & then P/Coach Russell quitting without notice left early 70s Celtics in a tailspin
Hondo was voted greatest Celtic in 79 or 80, driving force of all the Celtics squads I saw, early days he had Russell behind him to clear away the wreckage & then hardly sagged off when they got the monster Dave Cowens!
Great teams!
stere0brain 7 months ago
they didnt track blocks back then, but it wasnt unusual for bill to have 10 to 12 blocks a game.. the numbers were inflated by the breakneck pace of the era, but still an incredible number
LilMaxo4President 1 year ago
Like the Chrono Cross music lol
sackmaster91 1 year ago
Great video.
Thanks.
evolutionarytic 2 years ago
All young ballers, please look at 2:37, don't be a show boat and play the game right.
tapupartforpres 2 years ago 2
@tapupartforpres how was that showboating?
jellopwns 2 years ago
@jellopwns, sorry I meant don't show boat, play the game like this. Like Russell is doing in this play, give and go.
tapupartforpres 2 years ago
Russel is the best defender winner and player of all time
No doubt
Fightin09Irish 2 years ago 28
Not a Celtics fan, but not only he changed the game, it's almost comical how good he was. I bet he can still ball, bad knees and all!
tapupartforpres