Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed & Other NBA Legends Present The Top Ten | Letterman

Ten NBA legends present the "Top Ten Signs Your Team Is Not Going To Win The NBA Finals."
(From "Late Show," air date: 5/25/04)
#nba #billrussell #letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@darrinbaker00]

Bill Russell’s answer should have been, “You’re playing against Bill Russell.”

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

But that was the REAL answer - unless you were coached by Alex Hannum.

[@willardlockejr2965]

Forever Rest in Peace Bill Russell, Willis Reed and Bill Walton. 🏀 🏀 🏀

[@elizabeth7563]

What a lineup, each one a legend. We miss you Bill Russell.❤💚🍀

[@forenergy]

Pride of USF. Go Dons. Rick the Hilltop!

[@randysandberg5615]

And Walton and Reed.

[@cacornhusker2940]

The "Big O" and Walt "Clyde" Frazier....when Players made a pittance and missed the Boom of the 80's that turned the NBA around. Major Props to Kareem and Bill Russell. Both def'ly top 5 for the GOAT Conversation.

[@user-er2ys7jh7e]

Wish THE BLACK EAGLE could've seen the Celtics win championship #18.😢😢😢😢

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

As I recall, all of them are NBA 50 team members. A couple also made the All ABA team (George was one of the 7 unanimous picks THERE, Barry was about 12'th).

[@norwoodwildlife9849]

I'm glad they had Bill Russell as the #1 reason The writers knew who #1 was of all time.

[@snowman300]

“I wasn’t on your team” is the perfect reason

[@randallphobia8698]

I was hoping that it was either that or “I came out of retirement to play for your opponents.” @@snowman300

[@jcarreon1983jc]

If Bird, Magic, and/or Jordan were there, then Russell would be down the line.

[@rufust.firefly4890]

Yeah, they did, but Wilt's gone.

[@derekhiemforth]

@@jcarreon1983jc No, 100% guaranteed, he would not be. If they're doing a top 10 list related to the NBA Finals in any way, and Russell is there, he's #1.

[@marcochimio]

Great lineup, and it's strangely cool to see 10 guys who all tower over 6'2' David Letterman.

[@jamesford8315]

OMG!!! All they had to do was bring these guys out and the"Top Ten List" should have ended there. What a collection for the ages. All said and done.

[@keefriff99]

What a legend. RIP, Mr. Russell.

[@mibeatleman6767]

Rest in peace, Bill Russell. 🏀🕯

[@mikehernandez6024]

RIP Bill. Mike McIntee once said he suggested that Bill's #1 reason should be "you're playing against me!"

[@HariSeldon913]

Kareem's reason should have been that the coach tells you you're the pilot for flying to the game and you don't really know how to fly the plane.

[@chrisb7198]

No lie I thought that same thing before he came up to do his #1. lmao That would have been epic.

[@Havreflan]

Don Giller's influence is apparent and appreciated with the channel's trend of sharing clips of legends who recently left us.

[@Drew_D]

Don is great!

[@raymondm.9954]

Is Don Giller "merely" a fan with perfect recordings of every one of Dave's shows, all fully indexed? Or did he work for Dave?

[@joshualebowitz]

@@raymondm.9954 Don Giller is not “merely” a fan. He is probably why this channel even exists (and now also consults or works on it). Don has the greatest archive of David Letterman episodes anywhere and has been an amazing asset to the Letterman late night TV legacy.

[@avidadolares]

Don Giller is the silent legend behind the trending abundance of Letterman clips.

[@Havreflan]

@@raymondm.9954 As I understand it: he never worked for David, he was only a devoted fan and hobby archivist. His devotion led him to be allowed to upload recordings to youtube, a sort of passive permission with the caveat that if the Letterman Show ever started their own channel, he would have to stop uploading himself. When this channel started, he was asked to be involved as a consultant because of his vast knowledge and archive. As I said, this is only as I understand it, through following Giller for a long time. I might remember some of the details wrong.

[@Chuck-e7d]

Rest in peace Bill Russell ✌️❤️

[@musicman76enator]

4:34 Rest in Peace, Bill Russell. You will always be one of the greatest GOATS ever. We will miss you. 🏀🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏀

[@rhuephus]

ha ha ... you are repeating yourself AND being redundant ... YOU even know what GOAT stands for???

[@musicman76enator]

@@rhuephus There are multiple GOATs and yes I know what it stands for.

[@ericpowell20]

Love to know what Kareem was trying to say at the end. Dave must have sprinted back stage to speak to everyone. I'd never stop talking to Oscar, Kareem, and Russell.

[@wills2140]

You would want to have the other Bill ( Walton ) along for a group chat like that, to ... represent a different world view - as well to keep Oscar from saying he did everything , lol. 😉

[@TMthe33rd]

@@wills2140 lol 'represent a different world view' More saver words than saying he's a pothead

[@HariSeldon913]

I'd love to hear what Walton said to Kareem about Kareem's claim of having to drag him and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes. 😺

[@teto85]

Mr Frazier always looks sharper than a pin.

[@SirVic42]

Least colorful suit he's ever worn.

[@timmilligan5301]

Clean as a razor and twice as sharp!! Classic Clyde

[@SuperMastodon]

What a group. Surprised the room didn't explode from the magnitude of those guys.

[@jgrey8959]

Nice to see Clyde next to Clyde.

[@ronleight9341]

This was fun! Kudos to whomever booked these Legends! RIP Mr. Russell.

[@TratUsYT]

Yes I was wondering how the heck did they pull off getting all those legends at the same time!!

[@yeildo1492]

Clyde, looking very dapper.....

[@BlueLightSpecial2023]

Another Top Ten List: Ten guys that make Letterman look like he's still growing. LOL RIP Bill Russell.

[@DragonMasterSubo]

Bill and Kareem are easily top 5 players of all time. Great line up

[@Heres_Johnny.]

Dave’s not a short guy. But he looks it up against those fellas.

[@josephcote6120]

I'm 6-4. The only time I felt short like that was meeting sports players at the Big & Tall shop in San Francisco. It was kind of surreal. But as long as you're being cool about it most of them didn't mind you coming up and saying hello for a minute.

[@bernlin2000]

It was really wild to see them getting taller by the end, too 🤣 he started looking like a child

[@mikethebeginner]

Wow, that’s some star power, right there.

[@joshuabrooks4907]

Ten of the best players to ever bounce a ball on the hardwood. Rest in peace, Bill Russell.

[@davidstockman7405]

Bill Walton, Bill Russel, Willis Reed RIP, glad this show was made. Get to see them before they are gone

[@TMthe33rd]

Damn Walt "Clyde" Frazier just radiates swag here

[@Redmenace96]

Holy Cow! All legends. Smiling so much from my memories, so many great performances. Modern NBA can't tie the shoes of these guys. The Association was built on their shoulders.

[@TratUsYT]

Wow how did letterman pull off getting all those amazing legends in the same room. Clyde the glide and Kareem two of my favorite legends.

[@wills2140]

r. .i. p. Mr Bill Russell - may his memory be a blessing. Thanks to David Letterman for uploading this after his death.

[@mpemberton7760]

RIP Bill Russell. And sorry, Dave, but the Pistons won the whole enchilada that season, knocking out the Pacers (4-2) and the Lakers (4-1).

[@ownpetard8379]

Dave’s hometown is Indianapolis. Go figure. But not judging.

[@mpemberton7760]

@@ownpetard8379 Yes, I'm fully aware his hometown is Indianapolis. Of course he believed his Pacers would beat the Pistons and go on to beat the Lakers in the finals. I was apologizing to him that his prediction didn't come true. What was your point?

[@ownpetard8379]

@@mpemberton7760 Why are you defensive? I gave context that you neglected. Next time write more clearly.

[@mpemberton7760]

@@ownpetard8379 "Dave's hometown is Indianapolis. Go figure. But not judging." Is that your idea of context? How about next time you string together some cohesive sentences that make a clear point, like I did.

[@ownpetard8379]

@@mpemberton7760 They call it jealousy.

[@tamikat4745]

Was sooooo hoping Bill Russell would say: "You have no championships because you have to play me!"

[@robinrahmani4705]

Wow. This clip should have received more attention. I am both a huge NBA fan and a Letterman fan. Had no clue about this until ran into the clip by chance. What a group of special players Letterman and his producers wee able to gather.

[@jr032582]

oh man, lots of greatness on that stage for a couple of minutes. Ed Sullivan theatre became a Pantheon of Legends

[@keithhepworth4934]

It doesn’t matter how much money you spend, you’ll never wear a suit like Walt Frazier does

[@activelivingchallenger4298]

i'm surprised they were able to get them all on the show. Maybe some event was happending in NY during that time?

[@johncostello6043]

RIP Bill Russell

[@batreddirama5110]

What a treat for the audience!

[@romanramirez7847]

R.I.P Bill Russell and Willis Reed.

[@TheSelloutCrowd]

Outstanding group. Russell and Kareem in all-time starting lineup permanently. Both have arguments for the all-time great. Arguably a couple of second-teamers. Most of these guys arguably top 25 all-time.

[@wills2140]

Most 😉

[@TacomaPaul]

Took a picture of Bill Russell at the Sonics.

[@MyName-nx1jj]

The New York skyline was a bit taller that day.

[@carriesee8547]

I remember when he was known as Lew Alcindor. Jfc I’m olllllllddddd

[@bartonpercival3216]

Ouch, me too!!!!!!!! 😱

[@Donald-wv1cm]

I remember when he was in high school in New York City. And Coach Wooden at UCLA always called him "Lewis, Lewis".

[@boysherman]

Respect!

[@BadOrangeMonkey]

rest in peace , Bill Russell.

[@the406seadonkey6]

Nice upload. RIP Mr. Bill Russell. Celtics for life!

[@trueknowledgeispower]

The only Top 10 line-up Dave had to look up at to congratulate.

[@johnleeson6946]

I thought Kareem would say that you need an airline pilot to win the Championship!! Great grouping of great players!!!

[@theexorcist2605]

That's when late night TV was real fantastic video

[@alexamerling79]

Laker fan here. RIP to the great Bill Russell

[@VCT3333]

RIP, Bill Russell.

[@bonwatcher]

Clyde always dressed to the nines. For those that remember the famous pic of Walt Frazier from the 70's of him standing in front of a Rolls Royce with the velvet jacket and signature fedora, he would always be dressed to impress.

[@bartonpercival3216]

Yup he always had fashion style, and the older he gets, the louder his wardrobe has become!!!!! 👍🏀🗽

[@br529]

Dave's looks like a sixth grader shaking their hands

[@jcarreon1983jc]

I'm not even a Knicks fan, but I get goosebumps when I hear New Yorkers giving Willis Reed an ovation. Willis Reed is their guy, their player.

[@bartonpercival3216]

I grew up on the West Coast and my hero growing up was Willis Reed. What a incredible athlete he was. Watch all the televised Knicks games on the NBA game of the week. Got to see Willis and Clyde Frazier live in 1973 when they played the Warriors in Oakland. RIP Willis!!!!!!!!! 👍🏀🗽🙏

[@JeffW77]

10 amazing greats. Very cool to see Bill Walton and Clyde Drexler from the Portland Trail Blazers.

[@OlafProt]

This is definitely, THE top ten list of things us British people do not understand lol

[@dmblum1]

I was just a bit too young to see Russell play, but in the early 70s, even when our team the Lakers had Wilt, my dad (Laker fan) would always say Russell was the greatest.

[@allanobbes9129]

Best top 10 everrrr. Appreciate

[@JonClemence]

Shaquille Wasserstein, what a player!

[@aznsensation44]

That's a hell of a lineup for old school NBA fans

[@ELMS]

Love the top tens.

[@paulypooper2]

Dave is 6’3 and looks small shaking the legends hands .. R.I.P Bill Russel

[@rhuephus]

technically, Dave is in real life 6ft 3/4 inches. They all wanna be bigger than they really are

[@joecap2919]

NBA royalty.

[@monolithgeometry3221]

If you can't name everyone of those Legends upon sight, never comment about basketball on KZbin.

[@mskates2001]

When players still had class!

[@MrT8599]

R.I.P. to honestly in my opinion the true NBA GOAT, Bill Russell

[@Chuck-e7d]

Goat indeed

[@MrT8599]

@@Chuck-e7d so you know how the NHL has completely retired Wayne Gretzky’s Number 99 and MLB has completely retired Jackie Robinson’s Number 42; I hope with Russell’s passing that his number, 6, should be retired by the entirety of the NBA. Yes there are certainly some numbers that could theoretically also be retired by the entire NBA like Michael Jordan’s Number 23, but in all honesty, only Russell’s number should be retired.

[@reedsawyer5704]

I love basketball. These guys had class.

[@adamcarrey9115]

Good thing they had the captioning.

[@chrisbundy6104]

Amazing!

[@jerzeyguy71]

RIP BILL!!

[@allistermcginlay6476]

Bill Russell’s quipe should have been, the reason why they won't win the championship, "I'm retired and not playing!"

[@DanStrayer]

Dave was right about one thing in his prediction: the Lakers did NOT show up for a couple of those Finals games.

[@bubufubu]

Ha! They were very lucky to have managed one win in that series.

[@defuller1]

Would've been funny to put Biff Henderson in that lineup😅

[@johnpelletier7641]

Wow, this one was incredible.

[@RudieObias]

All NBA champions!!

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

What's interesting is that Oscar was the ONLY player in this list from Indiana - would have been interesting to have Bird, Mel Daniels, Reggie Miller (carrier-long Pacer) Isiah Thomas, and other such NBA greats from Indiana as the entire list.

[@randysandberg5615]

Those 10 guys would beat the '92 Dream Team.

[@bubufubu]

Drexler was _on_ The Dream Team. You don't get to put him on both. Also, The Dream Team had Bird and Johnson at the _end_ of their careers. Earvin put in some good time at point but Bird hardly played.

[@andrewleone2179]

Wow!!! Awesome!!!!!!

[@Michaelpatrickwarren]

RIP Bill Russell.

[@user-qj9cd3yr1z]

Rick barry was underrated and shot free throw under handed

[@ruthecker399]

love dave he is the best

[@billwhelpley6825]

Friends of Bill R

[@howardweinstein1324]

They'll never lose if they played as a team. 10 great H.O.F.ers

[@JasonL77]

Ugh, he brought up The Timberwolves. Being a Timberwolves fan, this is a painful memory. Almost making it to the finals only to blow it.

[@bubufubu]

You guys had to go up against the Lakers _and_ the refs that series. Just imagine how the Sacramento Kings felt in 2002 and how their fans still feel about it today.

[@ashspeaking7910]

No. 9 and 2 are sooooooooooooooooo funny ❤❤❤❤

[@richdouglas2311]

Okay, so the guests don't do so well. But OMG! Look who's there! Awesome. Thanks!

[@slapshot68]

“Ur teammate is dating a Kardashian”

[@acousticshadow4032]

Just to get those ten icons on the same stage...

[@SpartacusColo]

Number Two was Roger Murdock! He's an airline pilot!

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

With a ten like that you don't need a dozen.

[@justinakkerman9196]

I wish they would've played a game of 5 on 5 afterward.

[@lymz2003]

I did not know dave was so short

[@FALL-LAFF-7477]

Oh, 2004. And it's Detroit v. Indiana. Imagine predicting them Indiana Boys win w/o thinking "I hope the Detroit didn't go in riot" at those games.

[@stevewilson9778]

Well he was right about the Lakers not showing up.

[@rmkw4291]

Letterman must be about 6'3" (190cm) himself as he isn't too much shorter than the NBA legends here.

[@peterdo5047]

wow to have that much clout so be able to host the nba all-time all-stars

[@daveclark8337]

You're saying all these Hall of Famers wouldn't clamor to be on Conan?

[@marksheppard6498]

I wish Wilt had been there as well.

[@chiefscheider]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar aka Roger Murdock 😁

[@keefriff99]

Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes!

[@bluebassett2]

"I'm the co-pilot."

[@Drew_D]

Roger, Roger!

[@avidadolares]

I'm sorry, son, but you must have him confused with someone else

[@JimmySand9]

Do you like movies about gladiators?

[@tt600pch]

Kinda funny Bill Russel looked like he was in a straight jacket....

[@steveclapper5424]

Wow! How did he do this?

[@captainpoppleton]

starts at 1:45

[@samsendejas]

Rip Pacers