Bill Russell - Spirit

William Felton "Bill" Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. A five-time winner of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and a twelve-time All-Star, the 6 ft 9 in (2.1 m) Russell was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won eleven NBA Championships during Russell's thirteen-year career. Along with Henri Richard of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, Russell holds the record for the most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league. Before his professional career, Russell led the University of San Francisco to two consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association championships (1955, 1956). He also won a gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics as captain of the U.S. national basketball team.

Russell is widely considered one of the best defensive players in NBA history. His shot-blocking and man-to-man defense were major reasons for the Celtics' success, and he inspired other players to elevate their own defensive play. Russell was equally notable for his rebounding abilities. He led the NBA in rebounds four times and tallied 21,620 total rebounds in his career. He is one of just two NBA players (the other being prominent rival Wilt Chamberlain) to have grabbed over fifty rebounds in a single game. Though never the focal point of the Celtics' offense, Russell also scored 14,522 career points and provided effective passing. He also served a three-year (1966--69) stint as player-coach for the Celtics.

Russell is now a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. In 2007, he was enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Category:

Sports

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• basketball

[vinsanityrules97]

fukin stupid nba!! imagine i they had tracked blocks!?

[groovyarf]

Does anyone know who the music is by?



[johnnyangel123456]

You need to read Bill Russell's Book, "Red and Me." Talks about the two men and their relationship and how they worked together to be the nucleus on the most dominant team-ever. Red Auerbach was a mastermind and Bill really respected that fact..

[jongib369]

@1776freedom he never contained wilt, nly slowed him down. And it may not be true but I hear nate thurmond actually did a better job "containing" wilt then bill.

[Eyon26th]

Bill Russel got a Ring on his Dick!

eat that! Lebron would

[1776freedom]

Bill Russell was the only guy that could give Wilt the Stilt an even match in the 60's. He was the best defensive center in NBA history. You had to see him to believe it. Chamberlain and Russell had plenty of games against each other with Russell ( 4 inches shorter) containing him. Celts won 8 championships in a row during this era.

[juancarlos85506]

96 bulls greatest team ever i take them over any bill russle team jordan the greatest ever 

[Drforrester31]

Man. There's nothing in basketball quite as beautiful as a well-blocked shot. The ultimate defensive stop

[jongib369]

This is how I see it, today's players are WAY to fucking stupid to play the type of team game the Celtics did back then. So he actually wouldn't win anything in today's game besides be a GOAT defender and team player

[petercriscuola]

@edgarflores10

its not the same.

bill was THE man, the mvp in every championship the celtics won.

try again.