[tophcfa]

Celtics great Bill Russell passed away yesterday at the age of 88. His record of accomplishments is unprecedented among professional team sport athletes, including:

- two NCAA championships
- eleven NBA championships as a player
- five time NBA most valuable player
- an Olympic gold metalist
- two NBA championships as the first ever black coach in any North American professional sport

The list goes on and on……. In addition to his greatness as an athlete, he was an equally great person. He was beloved by everyone who knew him and was one of the first and most influential civil rights activists of his time, paving the way for future generations. Bill belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of the greatest athletes of all time.

[Taltarzac725]

R.I.P. He was a great man.

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Celtics great Bill Russell passed away yesterday at the age of 88. His record of accomplishments is unprecedented among professional team sport athletes, including:

- two NCAA championships
- eleven NBA championships as a player
- five time NBA most valuable player
- an Olympic gold metalist
- two NBA championships as the first ever black coach in any North American professional sport

The list goes on and on……. In addition to his greatness as an athlete, he was an equally great person. He was beloved by everyone who knew him and was one of the first and most influential civil rights activists of his time, paving the way for future generations. Bill belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of the greatest athletes of all time.

[Garywt]

RIP Bill, he was a great man that carried himself well at all times. I always loved his comments during the Jordan/ Lebron conversations.

[coralway]

Single-handedly made Red Auerbach a genius

[eweissenbach]

Wilt Chamberlain was the greatest, most dominant, athlete of all time. Bill Russell was the greatest team player and leader of all time. It was an incredible experience to witness many of their matchups. Russell was a fabulous human being who was not treated with the respect he deserved in New England in the sixties and seventies.

[2BNTV]

I remember watching the Celtics, Bob Cousy, Bill Sharmen, KC and SamJones.I loved Cousy because it was like watching a magic show as he passed the ball behind his back and of course Bill Russell.

Bill was the first player I saw dunk a basketball and a fierce defender especially when the game was on the line

A good teammate and a good person.

RIP Bill

[Rainger99]

But how many basketball players - from any era - would you pay to see play? And who are they?

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

celtics great bill russell passed away yesterday at the age of 88. His record of accomplishments is unprecedented among professional team sport athletes, including:

- two ncaa championships
- eleven nba championships as a player
- five time nba most valuable player
- an olympic gold metalist
- two nba championships as the first ever black coach in any north american professional sport

the list goes on and on……. In addition to his greatness as an athlete, he was an equally great person. He was beloved by everyone who knew him and was one of the first and most influential civil rights activists of his time, paving the way for future generations. Bill belongs on the mt. Rushmore of the greatest athletes of all time.

r . I. P.

[jedalton]

Wilt couldn't shoot or make a foul shot

[irishwonone]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Wilt Chamberlain was the greatest, most dominant, athlete of all time. Bill Russell was the greatest team player and leader of all time. It was an incredible experience to witness many of their matchups. Russell was a fabulous human being who was not treated with the respect he deserved in New England in the sixties and seventies.

Ed I must disagree. Wilt may have been the greatest athlete of his time no disagreement there. Yet Russ was clearly by himself on the court. Russell could and did run the court one end to the other like no center before or after him. The game always seemed more important to Russell than it did to Wilt. Thus no matter who the Celtics supporting cast was they continued to thrive and win. True loved the match ups between those two players yet I’m not a fan of NBA’s game today with individual play and selfishness.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by jedalton

Wilt couldn't shoot or make a foul shot

Agree he was a lousy foul shooter but he sure did get a lot of points so he did shoot fairly well.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

But how many basketball players - from any era - would you pay to see play? And who are they?

I could come up with a long list of former players including Oscar Robertson, Bill Walton, Julius Erving ( The pride of UMASS), Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin McHale, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin, Tim Duncan, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, and of course Bill Russell.
In todays modern era, I can only come up with one player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

[Rich Iwaszko]

Bill Russell was a class guy. He worked hard in a very racist town, Boston, not easy. He was even denied membership at the Hyannisport Golf Club due to his height.NOT, it was the 60's and even Kennedy's hangout denied him. He took that pill and continued to excel always instead. More class than any of those mentioned and more for all time. We thank him for his time with us.

he

Originally Posted by tophcfa

I could come up with a long list of former players including Oscar Robertson, Bill Walton, Julius Erving ( The pride of UMASS), Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin McHale, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin, Tim Duncan, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, and of course Bill Russell.
In todays modern era, I can only come up with one player, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

[mikeycereal]

Lakers/Rams fan since the 70's. Never liked Celtics and still do not care for them. But Russell passing away makes me a little sad. Too young to have seen him play or coach but enjoyed his commentary and personality over the years as an NBA analyst. I just saw a small story about how they drafted him and racist stuff he went through, interesting read. Will have to e-book his bio one day. Read a bunch of sports bios back in the day, Jim Brown's was the best. I think Russell's will be really good. RIP #6.