Russell's league had, at most, 14 teams. Russell only guarded the basket & lane. Russell's key that was only 12ft wide. Although they didn't start recording them until '74, Bill Russell is nowhere near the top 10 in career blocked shots (it's estimated that Wes Unseld had more). Russell also played in a league where most weren't as tall & agile as him. Conclusion: You can't put The Captain into that discussion (definitely not #1. He gets props as 1 of the best but his league wasn't modern.
That's not an acceptable counter. Why? Because Russell's league was extremely White. Call me a racist, but the truth is that Black athletes, top to bottom, are better hoopers. Pippen''s league was light years from being watered down. If you want proof, look at the fact that his era was 2" taller, 2yrs (translation: more mature), 8lbs heavier (translation: more muscular) & they stayed in college longer (translation: smarter). Furthermore, the defense was better, Want proof? Look at the data.
(cont'd) Don't get me wrong, The Captain gets MAD love. But you make a false equivalency. Again, Pippen played in a more challenging league AND Pippen is defending at 4 positions. What they share in common is that they both could score no more than 4pts & still be in control of the game on both ends. But Bill was playing with a bunch of White guys that weren't his peers physically. It's not like Scottie didn't face people who were as quick or as athletic. I could name dozens of guys who were.
name a better defensive player, you can't
halokid26 1 year ago
@halokid26 Best 2 defenders of all-time - 1. Russell 2. Pippen
mj7293 1 year ago 2
Russell's league had, at most, 14 teams. Russell only guarded the basket & lane. Russell's key that was only 12ft wide. Although they didn't start recording them until '74, Bill Russell is nowhere near the top 10 in career blocked shots (it's estimated that Wes Unseld had more). Russell also played in a league where most weren't as tall & agile as him. Conclusion: You can't put The Captain into that discussion (definitely not #1. He gets props as 1 of the best but his league wasn't modern.
upabittoolate 3 months ago
@upabittoolate
To counter your statement of Russell's 14-team NBA, expansion in Pippen's era watered down the league.
americanaccents 3 months ago
That's not an acceptable counter. Why? Because Russell's league was extremely White. Call me a racist, but the truth is that Black athletes, top to bottom, are better hoopers. Pippen''s league was light years from being watered down. If you want proof, look at the fact that his era was 2" taller, 2yrs (translation: more mature), 8lbs heavier (translation: more muscular) & they stayed in college longer (translation: smarter). Furthermore, the defense was better, Want proof? Look at the data.
upabittoolate 3 months ago
(cont'd) Don't get me wrong, The Captain gets MAD love. But you make a false equivalency. Again, Pippen played in a more challenging league AND Pippen is defending at 4 positions. What they share in common is that they both could score no more than 4pts & still be in control of the game on both ends. But Bill was playing with a bunch of White guys that weren't his peers physically. It's not like Scottie didn't face people who were as quick or as athletic. I could name dozens of guys who were.
upabittoolate 3 months ago
It was 55 wins, not 57. Coulda been 60 if he hadn't been out the first 10 games of 93-94.
ballerb123456 2 years ago
yeah my idol
jp321segs 2 years ago 6