NBA Legends on Why Bill Russell Was The Goat

[@skirk248]

I'll never understand the disrespect or lack of respect Bill and Wilt get from modern audiences

[@john.daniel14]

They don't know them or have seen the play. I have barely seen them play I have been watching basketball since 1971.

[@syzorst]

Bill Russell gets more disrespect than Wilt Chamberlain because people just go by Wilt's stats.

[@timpani25]

@@syzorst you're right. the stat that matters? more rings than fingers!!!

[@HumanOptimization]

give wilt one player from bill's team and he has more rings than bill. comparing bill to wilt is a disservice to the game. @@timpani25

[@tom0428]

People don't know them to give them respect, all they do is reading stats.

[@dasnutnock6408]

I wasn't aware of Bill's record until his passing. Including his college career, he won 13 of the 15 competitions he entered. I still cannot wrap my head around that statistic. Utterly astonishing.

[@younglove3362]

He was ahead of his time. Him and Wilt, especially Wilt.

[@bucksatanII]

Also won a gold medal in the 56 Olympics

[@dasnutnock6408]

@@bucksatanII just an absolute winning machine, that man.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

14 of 16. You forgot his Olympics - in which his team set a record for dominance in Olympic basketball that even the Dream Team couldn't match.

[@RICHBLACKCOCK]

​@@bricefleckenstein9666Those USF teams with KC. & RUSS were dominant also.

[@ricklove8588]

I was to young to remember watching Bill but the adults of the late 70s and 80s always said Bill was a beast. As a Bird fan for his entire career I saw many Bill highlights. He was exactly that

[@TPaine1776]

My dad always said Bill was the greatest and I agree.

[@ricklove8588]

@@TPaine1776 Bill for his time absolutely was great. I only saw highlights and he dominated. The goat to me has many names. Bill, Wilt, Bird, Magic, Jordan, Duncan, Kobe, and I give LeBron a look simply for longevity. He did not have that clutch gene or heart. He also needed to build super teams. Hakeem, and Jabar also belong on the list

[@slmcmorris7902]

Any player in any sport at any level who wins not only 11 championships in13 years, but several of those as a player/coach (!?!), deserves to be top 10 at their craft at the very least.

[@eztvlight1202]

He was him. 11 rings.

[@soundking4]

AND two NCAA Championships AND two High School state championships. Un-frigging real

[@guyrichardson7358]

He also won two state highschool (California) AND two NCAA championships!

[@strauqq1]

Well, the level of competition wasn't there and the league wasn't fully established. Could they have done well in the 90's or 2000's? That's strongly debatable.

[@slmcmorris7902]

@strauqq1 The "whole level of competition" is a lie that millenials and Gen Z made up. They were playing against players roughly on the same level. Oscar Robertson, Wilt f'ckn Chamberlain, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Willis Reed, and many more are legends of the game. Don't sleep on them. Should we not count NCAA championships now because they're not on the level of the NBA? Those players are still champions over players with a similar skill set.

[@unnaturalselection8330]

"Playing my way ...we win" ~Bill Russell, 11 rings in 13 seasons and the best laugh in NBA history

[@paulpetersen-iu1he]

Agreed! The best laugh period, when Bill Russell laughs, you can't help but smile. ☘️🏀

[@scottnowell4975]

And fucking coached one

[@scottcoleman5088]

His leg was broke, one of the years he didn't win

[@brucescott4261]

​@@scottcoleman5088 ...False!

[@scottcoleman5088]

@@brucescott4261 Show your work, your assignment's already late tic tok tic tok tik tock.I think you failed

[@smantie]

The greatest man to ever play the sport. The NBA made the right decision in retiring his number. He was the giant whose shoulders the rest of us stand upon.

[@strauqq1]

Overrated

[@brucescott4261]

@@strauqq1 ...According to you! You're not worth a penny for ten of you, PERIOD!!!

[@strauqq1]

@@brucescott4261 Awwww, don't go getting all teary-eyed.

[@RonWinters-lh7eg]

Let's not forget Pistol Pete.

[@smantie]

​@@RonWinters-lh7eg Pete Marovich does not belong in the same conversation as Bill Russell. Nobody is standing on Pistol Pete's shoulders in the NBA today.

[@ralphh7853]

The only times I rooted for the Celtics was when Russell was promoted to player/coach. I saw him when two championships and then retire with 11 rings. He was the greatest player of his generation. The battles he had with Wilt Chamberlain were epic.

[@joebuss8835]

Wilt was the better player but Bill was 10x the leader. Which is why he beat Wilt

[@danncorbit3623]

@@joebuss8835 Wilt was the best offensive player of all time. Bill was the best defensive player. I disagree that Wilt was a better player, even though he did average 50 points one year. An important stat used by sabremetrics is wins against replacement. Russell would break the needle on that gauge.

[@alexeim1966]

Russell said that not only was Wilt dominant physically, but also very intelligent. The secret of these two players is "Soft hands". Passing and catching the ball.

[@michaelcorenzwit8118]

Being 80 gave me the opportunity to see the greatest players, starting with George Mikan right up to the present. Russell was a born leader, both in words and on the court. He was the ultimate team leader and player. My top five includes Wilt, Jordan, Bird, Russell and Magic Johnson. If they were all in their prime, they would be very difficult to beat. I have seen them all play many times. That’s my Dream Team.

[@matttirado7661]

Im 60...I have the same top 5 with Jordan as number 5 and Russell number 1... Anyone that doesn't have George Mikan in their top 15 don't know basketball

[@iMacxXuserXx485]

Wow, I would love to interview you sir and hear your stories, just so I can record it for myself and future generations. I love everything I've heard and read about Bill Russell especially from a book I read about him and Wilt Chamberlain called "The Rivalry". Let me know if you ever want to speak with me and I'll give you my email.

[@michaelcorenzwit8118]

@ The first time that I met Wilt was in 1959 at a summer camp in the Poconos. The owner of the camp was a former teammate and personal friend of Eddie Gottlieb who owned the Philadelphia Warriors. Every week we had a different player give a demonstration to the camp, including a young Wilt Chamberlain who had just signed the biggest contract in NBA history, $100,000. He demonstrated how he used to shoot free throws. Jump from the foul line and dunk the ball. He picked a quarter from the top of the backboard. He threw the ball the length of the court with a flick of his wrist. Afterward he came into my bunk to shower. We talked for a few minutes. Later in college at the then Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Jefferson University), the brand new Philadelphia 76ers practiced at our gym. I was on the college team and they practiced before us. Later I moved to LA and went to Venice Beach to swim and body surfing and there was a volleyball net on the beach where Wilt often played. He was truly larger than life and a unique man.

[@mathboy8188]

Being a _Basketball Time Machine,_ without dedicating a video to Bill Russell, would be like writing a history of Western Civilization, but forgetting to mention the Roman Empire.

[@Xenon-h9z]

this would really only apply if Bill Russell had stolen all the moves and tricks of an earlier Basketball player the way the Romans did the Greeks.

[@SelfResearchedNBAFacts]

My pushback on not having Russell in the top 5 is 3 things that nobody can compare to. The 5 MVPs and 11 championships are obviously top tier but its these 3 things: 1. 10-0 in Game 7s 2. 17-1 when facing elimination 3. Look at his stats in Game 7s they are just unreal and unmatched. I personally have Russell at #2, he made most of those guys HOF’ers. The only ones that were HOF’ers on their own was Cousy, Havlicek and Sam Jones

[@HumanOptimization]

it's like people saying gretzky is the goat for those oilers chips, when he left, they were so good that they still won without him.

[@SelfResearchedNBAFacts]

@HumanOptimization except Boston didn't win without him. Not for 5 years when they had Havlicek, Jojo White and Dave Cowens

[@artvallejos1460]

Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 tmes head to head

[@SelfResearchedNBAFacts]

@@artvallejos1460 Bill Russell is simply the most valuable player in American sports history.

[@cmsmhp]

@@HumanOptimization What?? No, saying Russell is the greatest ever in NBA history is nothing like saying Gretzky was the greatest NHL player. Gretzky won 4 championships, but he's mainly considered the greatest not for those championships, but for the degree to which he absolutely dominated hockey for most of his career. he amassed unbelievable and unprecedented point totals. He was more the Wilt Chamberlain or Michael Jordan of hockey than he was the Bill Russell of hockey...there were players with more rings than he. But he was still a greater winner than Chamberlain, who only won 2 rings. And you're inaccurate about Boston being "so good" after Russell left. The Celtics failed to make the playoffs 2 years in a row after Russell retired. They had to rebuild their team with the likes of Dave Cowens, JoJo White, Paul Silas, etc. to become a contender again.

[@robotclark]

Thank you for making this video, the man deserves more respect.

[@roberthudson1959]

In about 13 months, Russell played on an NCAA championship team, an Olympic championship team, and an NBA championship team.

[@M_Lev___]

Sir William Felton Russell - The King Of Basketball. The Greatest! Period.

[@JackFlaps]

back to back California high school championship

[@wesleyprince3465]

**while breaking down color/race barriers...as someone who was still almost practically a kid by today's standards. This man's legend/greatness doesn't get talked about enough which is saying alot cuz it IS talked about alot.

[@stevehealey7980]

What also should be noted is that Mr. Russell also won two NCAA championships in three tears and a gold medal at the Olympics in 1956. The man was a winner at every level.

[@danadesimone9322]

And two high school championships at McClymonds in Oakland, Ca..

[@andrewthomson870]

The recent documentary was great: definitely worth a watch.

[@MP-tf7cc]

Bill Russell = GOAT. All the players of the 1960s knew it.

[@M_Lev___]

Sir William Felton Russell - 👑King Of Basketball & Greatest Of All-Time, is smiling down from the skies and saying "My Green Knights have done it again for the Celtic World Kingdom!". 🏀🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@solusk282]

The basketball rules have changed a lot. Which affects how players are moving how they are dribbling the ball. Try to force any our day’s players or 90s players to hit the ball only from the top not the side or the bottom when dribbling. Can’t make a step without dribbling the ball.Definitely id love to see that. Bill Russell is one of the best , maybe the best player who ever played the game.

[@9999deoxys]

not maybe....he was the best.

[@michaelcorenzwit8118]

I am a lifelong fan of the NBA beginning in the early 1950s. I played for my HS and college teams (mostly at practice) and have seen every great player since George Mikan. Today’s game and players have not evolved in terms of the ability to rise above their peers. Given today’s training, diet control and coaching, players like Russell would still rise above their peers. I saw Russell lead an average USF to two consecutive NCAA championships. His “ungainly” running covered a lot of ground very quickly. He won everywhere he played. 11 Championships in 13 years. He was the ultimate Team player. His head to head matches with Wilt have never been equalled.

[@ExcitedDragon-fp8yp]

Russell is the original gangster, his rings alone make him king. He dominated, he didn't need to be a prolific scorer. He elevated the team and led a dynasty.

[@M_Lev___]

Sir William Felton Russell - 👑King Of Basketball & Greatest Of All-Time, is smiling down from the skies and saying "My Green Knights have done it again for the Celtic World Kingdom!". 🏀🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@GlenDeaton]

​@@M_Lev___yeah

[@wesleyprince3465]

The better, OG Tim Duncan....while also being a civil rights leader during the Jim Crow era. His legacy will NEVER be touched by anyone. Ever.

[@daviddavis2648]

Not just 11 NBA championships, but two NCAA championships and Olympic gold as well.

[@billb3454]

One of the first African American men I ever met. I was five years old when my father introduced me to him at the Celtics training camp. He was the player/coach at the time. He looked down at me and straight in my eyes and shook my hand. He asked me if I played basketball and talked to me for a long time. He made me feel as tall as him! I remember him and my father talking, and his unique, huge laugh. When I look back at that moment I just think, “dignity”. He just had such a presence. A giant of the game and a giant among men.

[@enjoyedjourneys8363]

Thank you so much for this content. Your video touches on a larger idea: how do we choose our favorite players? Do you pick the best individual player? (Wilt) Or the best team player? (Russell) Do you pick guys who insist they are the system? (Harden) Or guys willing to play within a team system in order to win? (Curry) Do I want to pick guys who are going to establish and perpetuate a winning culture? Or do I want to pick guys who going to put up the biggest numbers? Prioritizing team over personal achievement is timeless and transcends eras. Even if it feels like NIL agreements teach kids today to prioritize themselves over their teams. And the most popular Olympic team sports (hoops) are creating new awards (MVP) to emulate individuals. We can each individually make personal choices that remember that when we are in the trenches, and the battle has begun, the most important people in the world that you fight and die for, are the ones you go in to battle with... celebrate the team players. Celebrate Bill Russell.

[@chipschannel9494]

Bill Russell was a Champion. It was Bills team he was a leader also Bill played in the pre Jordan league where guards were not allowed in the “paint”

[@lonsimmons7319]

Thanks for the video. Wow, what a great guy, and what a fantastic player.

[@Jabawongky88]

Underrated great😢

[@englishwillable]

Seeing him run the floor with ball is awesome

[@muhammadal-hashimi2487]

It is no need for you to apologize for Bill Russell. You are a youngster. I am 77 years old. I have seen ALL of these great players play. Russell IS the GOAT if there has to be a GOAT. Basketball is a TEAM sport. Bill was the ULTIMATE team player! That is why he has 11 championship rings! And he did have the skills that you say he didn't have. I saw film of him play in college. He could have had those fantastic stats. But he sacrificed stats for winning!! And contrary to your idea, he looked damn good in the way he played!

[@alexmclife2261]

Bill Russell was the very first NBA player who made last 3 seconds alley-op play with Hondo throwing in the ball. That's the most awesome play I've watched. Bill Russell is the only playing-coach who won an NBA championship

[@bingochoice]

Bill Russel was an incredible man, beyond his great basketball, skills, a man of integrity, a great american..I always admired him..

[@brucescott4261]

@bingchoice ...Russell*

[@bingochoice]

@@brucescott4261 got it

[@vzshadow1]

I wish I could remember their names but I heard multiple player who opposed him talk about how he beat them before the game even started. Preparation for the game was one of his strongest assets.

[@gregb6469]

Russell played with guys like Cousy, Sam Jones, and Havlicek, so he didn't need to score a lot for Boston to win, but his rebounding, shot-blocking, and overall defensive intimidation were vital for the success of the Celtics.

[@KidAstronaut]

Thanks for this video man. Gives context.

[@richardlloyd2589]

Like many the only thing I’ve seen of Bill Russell is the highlights. But if Bill said he sacrificed personal stats to make his team mates better because the only stat he cared about was winning, then I’d believe him. I’d happily have Magic, MJ, Larry, Bill & Wilt

[@libertypastor1307]

Respect to you for holding off posting this video until some time had passed after his death! Wise decision of a respectful heart. Enjoyed it! And I agree with your assessment. One thing I would add is that he played in an era that just can't compete with the 80' and early 90's basketball era, as far as fan devotion and respect are concerned..

[@guygonzalez7039]

Even today, Wilt is #1 in total rebounds! Russell is #2!! 45 yrs later!!

[@OsazeMc]

Brother brother brotherman! You fine sir are one of my favourite KZbinrs. Straight up. Your respect for humanity is just the best. Bring a smile to old NBA loving heart. Great video. Keep it going!!✊🏿❤️‍🔥👊🏿

[@christopherknight3737]

Thanks!

[@BTMBasketballTimeMachine]

Thank you. I only just this. Thanks a lot!

[@albertomolina3868]

Bill Russell is the goat period! It is not Michael it is not Lebron it is not magic it is not Michael it is not Larry it is not shaq it is not kobe it is no one else. The Celtics did not win before him and when he was hurt they did not win either. 8 rings in a row and 11 in total. The absolute goat.

[@willread8376]

Bill Russell is the goat, and it's not close. He stood for something, so for political reasons, they will never deem him the Goat. When Jordan dies. 23 will not be retired around the league

[@fondrees]

Wilts free throws did him in

[@JohnCarter-qv1ie]

Bill killed it!

[@MasterRoshi8974]

People back in the day were not allowed to "look good" refs would call 100 travels a game

[@Buh7777]

That's right.

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Great athlete, great teammate and great man.

[@babyboomer9560]

Russell said he was an athlete who happened to play basketball. He tied for the high jump record in California with the eventual winner of the gold medal in the Olympics.

[@morrisparrish76]

So what WNC beat 2 time Olympic champion (discus) Al oeter!

[@brianclevenger5521]

Good content. I love a winner.

[@coreythomas3633]

HE THE TRUE GOAT. NOBODY BETTER

[@morrisparrish76]

Opinions vary!

[@davidplummer2473]

Lack of skill? Doesn't look right? He was the greatest defensive player of all time at the most critical defensive position. Whenever somebody blocks a shot into the third row, the crowd cheers while somewhere, Russell is rolling his eyes, saying, you just gave the ball back to the other team, you pinhead! Russell would consistently block a shot so that the ball would come right back down to him and he would fire the outlet pass to start the fast break almost before he hit the floor. It takes unimaginable athletic ability to do that and nobody else has ever been able to do it, before or since. It takes MUCH more athletic ability to be a great defender than it does to be a great offensive player because the defender doesn't have the advantage of the initiative, and Russell was the greatest defender of all time. This meant that the Celtics were mediocre before his rookie year and just awful the year after he retired. In between they went 11 for 13. Nuff said. If that's not enough to even crack your top 5, Mr. David, then you don't know the game nearly as well as I thought you did. You're just another guy who gushes over verticals and offensive stats.

[@bobbresnahan8397]

For those of us who remember Bill in college and just watched him play through the years, he's the GOAT.

[@elasmojones]

Its so hard to even come up with an argument against Russell... Winning in the end is all that matters, and he did it best.

[@morrisparrish76]

Opinions vary!

[@robotclark]

Bill Russell won a championship 84% of seasons he played!

[@NeoAmonSeraphim]

I mean.. when the NBA only had like 5 teams.. 😂

[@robotclark]

@@NeoAmonSeraphim Shouldn't it have been equally easy for all five teams, and it was 8 teams. But yeah the path to the championship was shorter, but again, all 8 teams has the same path... and 84%? That's higher than a lot of players shoot free-throws.

[@jetblack6549]

​​@@NeoAmonSeraphim Good argument! Like the "plumbers and firemen"... Not a tough competition like facing Gobert who cries for not making the ASG😂 Pistons this season have won 5 games so far, I am sure that having 30 teams in the league makes it a much tougher competition😂

[@danncorbit3623]

People think fewer teams make it easier to win a championship@@robotclark . Let's do a mind experiment. Take today's NBA and dissolve the league. Form 8 teams and let them draft. How good will those 8 teams be? A lower team count means that the talent on each team is more concentrated. Instead of making a championship easier, it makes it harder. All the best players in the world are concentrated into fewer teams instead of spread across more teams.

[@artvallejos1460]

Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head.

[@billd6416]

Great video! He’s definitely one of the very best to have played.

[@滋榎本]

Bill Russell was never a dominant scorer, topping out at 18.9 points per game during the same 1961-62 seasons that saw Wilt Chamberlain post such pace-inflated numbers. And while his 47.1 true shooting percentage might seem remarkably low for a big man who wasn't a go-to scorer, it was a decent mark for the time. In that 1961-62 campaign, for example, the league average was 47.9 percent. Not only is he the greatest winner in all of American sports, Russell is also both the smartest and best defensive player to ever pick up a basketball. The only player in history to come close to matching his winning is Michael Jordan. Players don’t choose the era they play in, all we can do is look at who dominated it.

[@artvallejos1460]

Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head

[@peterlatourette3547]

And no player in nba today is as tall as Big Bill!

[@9999deoxys]

MJ is not close to Bill Russel. 11 titles vs 6. not close.

[@coreybrown7087]

Bill was the HEAD COACH for 2 of his championships while still playing

[@markuskolls5392]

Top5, Top10, Top irgendwas. Man kann unterschiedliche Zeiten einfach nicht vergleichen. Unterschiedliche Positionen nicht. Die allermeisten von uns haben ihn nicht spielen gesehen. Wie sollte man es dann beurteilen? Aber Fakt ist, dass er zu den allergrößten Spielern aller Zeiten gehört, erfolgreich wie kein anderer (ja, es gab weniger Teams, aber dafür verteilte sich das Talent auch auf die wenigen Teams) - und auch Abseits des Feldes war sein Wirken wichtig und großartig! Tolles Video, danke für Deinen Content.

[@drummer8by2]

Sean/Shawn?, love your work-respect - videos...Birds my Fave, Magic is a close, close 2nd, all the Love and respect for Bill Russell as he was the greatest winner ever, loved Wilt, Dr J, Bernard King, The Microwave, Jerry, Tiny, Earl the Pearl, Pistol Pete, Elgin, Oscar, Jabbar, Walton, Andrew Toney...the list goes on and on... Kudos to you man, you do a great Job Sir! - Brian Mellen

[@DebraLeifer]

Great video. To many people are saying that Russell wasn't a great offensive player. For a fast break team like the Celtics offense begins with the rebound and outlet pass. Russell and Wes Unseld were masters at starting the break and leading to a layup or dunk on the other end without even getting to mid court. This is just as effective as scoring with great moves like Earl Monroe, Jordan, or Steph Curry. Russell was a great offensive player!!!

[@Amick44]

Right. Bill had a weak J, but a good hook shot, either hand. And was a fine facilitator.

[@richprokop5155]

15 PTS CAREER AVE. IS NOT GREAT... GIVE ME A BREAK...

[@kevinhennessey3189]

You are missing how Great an athlete he was. He was nationally ranked in the 440yrd run and the #5 ranked hi jumper in the country, he did track in College as a part time endeavor. Think about that a athlete who is 6'10" who was a top level quarter miler. Combine that with his BB IQ. HE made everyone he played with better, very few greats can make that claim, Bird and Magic come to mind.

[@morrisparrish76]

So what: WNC is in the track & field HOF!

[@mossp2124]

Bill Russell worked and improved every aspect of his game. He acquired every skill that was required to improve his team's chances to win another championship. His mid range shooting became ultra reliable. He was rarely stripped of the ball. I guess we have a different sense of aesthetics because I saw the very ideal of beauty in motion when watching Bill Russell when he was playing or in the film of those days.

[@davie2983]

Great video. I love your videos. Thank you.

[@MosesBelieved]

Bill is like Dennis Rodman but taller, longer, smarter, smoother, better passer, better rebounder, actual was a player coach & a head coach, winner. So who do you start a team with? Who makes people better from day one? No order but Magic, Bird, Lebron, Wilt, Russell, Jabbar- from day one in the pros their teams were competing for conference if not finals championships. Jordan is the Goat, but it took years. These guys elevated everyone.

[@billwhite7658]

I would add that Russell was less emotionally confused than Rodman. Both were intense competitors.

[@RChamp116]

I personaly saw a championship game where Russ had 40 rebounds by the game end. Coach walked over with bucket of water and doused him as he slouched in his folding chair. Back he went in to win the championship.

[@morrisparrish76]

So what: WNC once grabbed 55 rebounds……aganist WFR!

[@paulpetersen-iu1he]

Bill could lead a team like no other man. ☘️🏀

[@MrFishermanbob]

Russell is #1. Period

[@morrisparrish76]

Opinions vary!

[@billwhite7658]

During my youth I made sure that I watched the NBA games on Sunday which featured Bill Russell vs Wilt Chamberlain way back in the sixties. Very sweet memories watching Russell and the Celtics defeat Wilt and the Sixers. Great players in epic battles!

[@TeacherLegendary]

He's the goat

[@mugabi9502]

11 NBA Championships

[@georgiosgrigoriadis6200]

Finally, a video about the ultimate winner. I have an adidas swingman Russell jersey, even thiugh i have not seen him play. I respect him a lot.

[@blackandblueeagle]

To me, skill obviously evolves over time. When you talk about greatness, you’re not talking about skill - you’re talking about who was the one player you wanted to have on your team if you wanted to win championships in that era. The best example of this ever is obviously Bill.

[@hellifiknow1315]

11 rings in 13 seasons is amazing but when bill won his first ring (1957) there were only 8 teams in the league. Several of his rings were won when there were very few teams in the league.

[@levin448]

i.e. the early years of the NBA had a concentration of talent in a small group of teams.

[@bobmartin1060]

Every other GOAT grazes on Bill Russell's farm.

[@stevenelson3515]

I’m 68, so I was fortunate enough to see Bill play. I actually saw him a few times in person when the Celtics would come to San Francisco to beat the Warriors. First time my Dad took me, he told me to watch #6 on the Celtics and see what it was like to play the game the way it should be played. The man seemingly got every rebound by being in the perfect position. I also noticed that when he blocked a shot, it invariably was blocked to a teammate who started a fast break. It was just a combination of all kinds of little things that didn’t necessarily show up in a box score. While Jordan and Wilt are 1 and 1A in my hierarchy of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bill is, without a doubt, the smartest basketball player in history. If I were to start a team based on players in their prime, I’d take Bill first, even over Wilt or Jordan.

[@morrisparrish76]

Your hierarchy is FUBARed!

[@konstantinkoverchenko9587]

Just be a wilt and Russell placed in the radio and black and white tv era doesn’t make their legacies not existent or astounding.

[@michaelcorenzwit8118]

@@konstantinkoverchenko9587 Human beings have not evolved in the 70+ years since Russell played. He is definitely in my top five all time along with Wilt.

[@vikingspud]

I remember an article where players talked about Bill Russell throwing up before playoff games because he was so riled up about winning. Then he would go onto the court and dominate. The drive makes up for skill and then some.

[@danncorbit3623]

Bill threw up before *every* game, not just the playoffs. And Auerbach would ask him if he threw up yet, and if not he would tell him to go and do it. I heard him tell this story myself, at a public speaking engagement in New Orleans after he had retired.

[@vikingspud]

@@danncorbit3623 the dude was intense! Dedication.

[@rmsmith2396]

It amazes me what has happened in sports. In the late fifties and early sixties I had to listen to the NBA on the radio (even the playoffs) when the games came on TV, I thought "this is a dull game" until I turned the volume down and tuned in to Johnny Most on the radio. I've since adjusted to the real game but I always laugh when I think of those days. They used to have a cigarette at half time and a job in the off season. How things have changed.

[@zaidmusawwir5591]

Definitely a top 10 player

[@davemartino5997]

Top 3

[@bostonkremer791]

more like top 2. Bill Russell Is the GOAT

[@morrisparrish76]

Opinions vary……your babblings are proof of that!

[@demetriuswright7353]

You are absolutely wrong with this. Bill Russel should be in your top goat. You said is IQ at the time was unbelievable. IQ to me is adapting. Bill Russel IQ truly beat the best centers. He would see their weaknesses destroy them adapting to their style of playing.

[@williamfragaszy6016]

In the 1960s I spent many Sunday afternoons watching the NBA Game of the Week. Because of the success of the Celtics, they were often shown. Watching Bill Russell battle the other great centers of that decade was a treat. His battles with Wilt, Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed, etc. were epic. Russell was an amazing defender. But remember it is a fool’s errand to compare players from different eras in basketball. Everything from conditioning to diet to travel is different as is the style of play. With that said, I’d rather watch basketball from Russell’s era than today’s brand of basketball.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

4:06 Which was Bill's *3d* championship in a year. NCAA, Olympics, NBA.

[@mshahnazi7636]

I have been a Bill Russell fan when I first saw a black and white film of the Boston Celtics vs Cincinnati Royals while in Primary/Elementary school in 1969 while my family was living in London, England. It seemed that he was blocking everything, and the broadcaster couldn’t pronounce John Havelcik’s name, and kept referring to him as that great number 17. The Celtics routed the Royals, and to me at that time Bill Russell was basketball. May he rest in peace. He was the greatest Celtic and a GREATER human being. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀 💚💚💚💚💚💚 ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

9:42 I don't put Bill in a league of his own on Basketball IQ. Larry Legend has to be in there somewhere. But it is a VERY small league.

[@alexandrossimitzis146]

Yo, my man! Nice video, and please do more vids like that of players that guys like me who were born in 1977, and fell in love with the game of basketball in the mid-80s! For example, do vids like that about George Mikan, Bob Cousy, Wilt, the Big O, Jerry West, and Pete Maravich to name a few of the great players from the sixties and '60s and '70s! Also, maybe you could do vids about great players who never made it to the NBA, like Nick Galis and Oscar Schmidt! Great job dear Sean David! Keep up the good work!

[@Haruo-6768]

In other countries they respect and love their past players and their game. In america, we hardly do that. But we sure love the post 1970s basketball. If you ask brazil who their 1960s basketball team was, especially the national team and don't bash the competition they played. They'll name you each one and tell you how valuable they were. They love wlamir marques, croatians, yugoslavia love radivoj korac and kresimir cosic.

[@GPtwo]

“If I have seen further than anyone else, it’s because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” -Issac Newton

[@scook3417]

the NBA has never had a better athlete than Bill Russell.

[@justinakkerman9196]

Because of Wilt, Bill Russell's athleticism is understated. He wasn't as great of an athlete as Wilt, but he was still an athletic anomaly of all time. Had he played in the 70s or 80s he would be regarded as by far the best athlete of the era. I say all of that without taking his champion/warrior mentality into equation. Definitely a top 5 player to me.

[@brucescott4261]

@justinakkerman9196 ...Russell was extremely athletic, PERIOD!!!

[@Amick44]

​@@brucescott4261every bit the athlete Wilt was. Didn't have Wilt's power, that's all.

[@brucescott4261]

@Amick44 ...Russell's inner strength made him the ultimate winner, PERIOD!!!

[@crotdacrude]

My all-time starting 5: Magic Michael Bird Timmy and Bill Russell. Greatest leader in the history of team sports.

[@Jim_L]

If you're a Russell fan, I found his autobiography, "Second Wind," to be a most enjoyable read. That aside, I know people love engaging in the "greatest of all time" debate, but it's such a futile endeavor. Instead, I prefer using the phrase "ONE OF the greatest ever." And Mr. Russell is certainly one of the greatest NBA basketball players to have ever played the game. 👍

[@brianjones7660]

I use the phrase "one of the few 'Greatest Ever' candidates"

[@Jim_L]

@@brianjones7660 That works, too. I like it.

[@morrisparrish76]

“There can be only one greatest”!…………………..Bob Eaton

[@leroymorris6036]

Great memory, thanks

[@slchambers1]

Bill Russell is as the reason I was a Celtics fan. He was unequal even by today’s standards. RIP

[@peteroakes4874]

Bill Russell 11 rings 💍 no doubt the only goat is bill Russell. Numbers don't lie

[@CLM265]

He lived locally and when we were talking you truly felt that no matter who it was, he would give his full attention and respect. Unforgettable person. When he needs to start putting his championship rings on his toes he needs to be considered if not the GOAT, the best winner all-time.

[@Michael-xk3sp]

Saw the dude for years. He did not lose-especially onSunday's marquee matchup on ABC. A wonder. Whatever one could say about him, he won 11, and invented defense.

[@josephhiggins7216]

It's a generation thing. I'm old enough that I actually got to watch Bill Russell play. Unlike Wilt, Bill's sole focus on the court was winning. Period. He made everyone on his team better. He truly believed that a professional athlete didn't get paid to play. He got paid to win. He sacrificed personal stats so his team would win. The timing was perfect. 2 NCAA championships, Olympic Gold when pros couldn't compete, 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons. He could have led the league in scoring if he had wanted to, but he knew that wouldn't make the team better. His rebounding and outlet passing were phenomenal. An innovative leader that has never been surpassed. Shaq called him the greatest big man to ever play the game. I agree. Yeah, he's in my top five. Every time.

[@raymondfallon7429]

Russell has always been my pick for GOAT. Glad #33 agrees.

[@retiredwelder]

I will always respect your opinion. However I think you’re way way off on this one. Ask magic. Ask Larry. Ask shaq.

[@scook3417]

no one was smarter or more unselfish than bill russell. EASILY the GOAT and probably the best athlete to ever play in the NBA

[@ivanflores7583]

The smarter player and the way he played ❤❤❤ he made his teammates win and the record of eleven rings. 8 of them were straight, he's the greatest becuase he played in a very difficult era and very physical.

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Bill was the only guy who could guard Wilt, and even out rebound Wilt. It's hard to rank Bill because he didn't play a lot of offense, but if there ever was a case of "defense wins championships" it was Bill's style. He was the perfect complimentary teammate and elevated everybody. How do you rank that? Welp, he did walk that walk and ended up with 11 rings.

[@artvallejos1460]

Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head

[@Amick44]

He didn't score that much. He was a fine offensive player overall, though.

[@morrisparrish76]

BS= WBC once scored 62 points on Russell & got 55 rebounds on him!

[@leoderosia9279]

Legend amongst legends, bos fan

[@chijaytavaakachija1513]

Probably the greatest player that happens to be a goat at coaching too ever.

[@snootybaronet]

Your basketball skills measurement is very flawed. Russell was a world class track and field champion athlete. He had all the skills. It's how he chose to apply those skills to basketball that is essential. When Red Auerbach picked Russell to play for the Celtics he wasn't a sure thing. However, before Russell even got to Boston, he studied and devised a new method of how he would control and win games. He single-handedly created the defensive and rebounding method that would insure victory for his team. He decided not to pursue all the stats that you are blinded by. Instead he perfected a way that he would control the ball and run the offense from a defensive position. This was his biggest accomplishment. He had the support of Auerbach and it led to 11 championships. You fail to realize that if Russell were born 50 years later, he would apply his skills in a new way to have his team win. That is greatness, not paper stats.

[@elvispresley5921]

One of the few peeps who would Ultimately worry Chamberlain.

[@artvallejos1460]

Russell's team beat Wilts team 57 times head to head

[@elvispresley5921]

@@artvallejos1460 57 to 37 or something similar , if memory serves.

[@artvallejos1460]

@@elvispresley5921 correct.

[@morrisparrish76]

Neither of you are correct: they faced off aganist each other 142 times! 84-58 was the record!

[@michaelcorenzwit8118]

@@elvispresley5921 The Celtics doubled and tripled team Wilt Chamberlain and he still grabbed 55 rebounds in one game against them.

[@bikeman9419]

Not only was Bill Russell the GOAT he was a nice guy and loved by millions.