The great Bill Russell died peacefully on Sunday at the age of 88. Bill Russell is the greatest winner in NBA history winning 11 Championships in 13 seasons which included 8 in a row and his last 2 while he was the team’s head coach and player at the same time after Red Auerbach retired from coaching. Russell is one of the most iconic figures not just in NBA and sports history but in American history as well where he played a huge role battling civil rights. In 22 winner-take all games Russell’s teams won them all, 9 NCAA Tournament games which included 2 NCAA Championships at the University of San Fransisco, 2 games in the 56 Olympics in Melbourne, 10-0 in game 7’s in the NBA Playoffs while playing for the Boston Celtics and in 1966 one game 5 where this series was a best of 5 which made Russell’s record 22-0 which is just unheard of when facing elimination. Russell not only played under an amazing coach in the late great Red Auerbach but so many other great players like Bob Cousey, Bill Sharman, Sam Jones, K. C. Jones, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn and others. Russell was a defensive force and a rebounding machine while playing Center for the Boston Celtics. Russell averaged about 22.5 rebounds a career which wouldn’t happen in today’s NBA. Bill Russell a defensive force vs Wilt Chamberlain the offensive force was an amazing battle to read about as this happened way before I was born.
Bill Russell’s resume is unheard of, as I mentioned before winning 11 Championships in 13 seasons in the NBA while playing for the Boston Celtics, a 5 time MVP, 12 time all star, part of the NBA Anniversary teams for 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th, NBA Lifetime Achievement Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom Award, in the Basketball Hall of Fame both a player and a coach, #6 jersey retired by the Boston Celtics, 2-time NCAA Champion at the University of San Francisco, one Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympics among so many other amazing things. Russell is one of the most iconic athletes in sports history. Russell is not only the first black head coach in NBA history but in North American sports as well. Russell wasn’t known for his scoring while his teammates did the scoring as Russell focused on defense and rebounding. Bill Russell and Hockey Hall of Famer Henri Richard of the Montreal Canadiens both have 11 Championships as Richard won 11 Stanley Cup in Montreal. RIP Bill Russell and thanks for all the wonderful moments.