Bill Russell is the GOAT

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

Because that is what the media has said and what Stern has sold.



Posts have been made saying that this 1 player here or that 1 player there did this 1 thing better or that 1 thing better but nobody showed a complete package of player better than Russell.

The stat "win shares per 48" say otherwise...

 

[Shanemansj13]

I suspect most fans would/should say MJ. I think that makes sense. Bill was special too and is the only other person who even qualifies for the debate with MJ.

Its similar to quarterback debate. Its probably Montana, and some might suggest Brady.

All others are a few rungs lower than the above

No one does at this point and there are 1,000's of others ahead of Russell.

 

[wildturkey]

Didn't read all the topic so it may have already been posted but it reminded me of when this topic was debated here last time:

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...n/101421-fascinating-pace-adjusted-stats.html

Check the pace adjusted stats concerning Russell. Interesting stuff. (Also interesting both topics have the same OP starter)

 

[BOTSLAYER]

Bill Russell, the first Point Center?

Fixing the NBA Playoffs «



Q: Is Joakim Noah the first “Point Center” in NBA history?
—Ed C., Chicago

SG: This guy wants a word with you.

(And really, Bill Russell was the first point center — when Bob Cousy retired in 1963, the Celtics retooled their offense around Russell’s passing because they didn’t have a pure point guard. In the six post-Cousy years, Russell averaged five assists during an era when assists counted only if the scorer caught the pass and immediately scored. During Boston’s next two title seasons in ’64 and ’65, Russell finished seventh and fifth in the NBA in assists per game. To put that in perspective, Joakim Noah is 26th right now. And by the way, this is like the 58th-most impressive thing about Bill Russell’s career. So … yeah. Bill Russell. Not good enough for LeBron James’s Mount Rushmore.)

 

[Am I Blue Through it All?]

Indeed he was. I generally agree with Hammer, even though I don't like to admit it. However, when it comes to Russell, he has his head neck deep up his ass.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

Dude was the most dominant player there ever was and all the arguments against him (offense) are invalid.

It really is too bad there is not more film from back then or just more stat tracking r if the stat tracking was just the same.

Oh well, obviously basketball didn't exist before 1980 so Rushmore is Magic, Bird, MJ and I guess pick somebody.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

You need to temper it a little bit.


There was only 8 teams.
Finishing in the top 10 in assists (still noteworthy) is a little easier when there is 75% less players.

Plus the scoring era was a little different.
The LOWEST SCORING team in the league still managed 108 ppg.
Assists were a lot easier to come by in games that were routinely 135-125 scores

 

[BOTSLAYER]

PER which is a pace-less stat he is still in the top 100, of every player to ever play in the NBA. And as you mentioned when he played the pace was much faster meaning PERs would have suffered.

There were 8 teams and they won 11 of 13 titles, still super impressive.

 

[HammerDown]

"Point center." Puhlease. Doesn't even deserve a response.

Magic played every position on the floor and dominated the world at age 19. Russell wasn't even the best player on his team and was largely an offensive liability but the simple-minded have deified this guy and he's enjoyed cult status because of it. It's really quite silly but BOTSLAYER, despite never having seen two full minutes of Russell play (because, well, there's nothing really to see) is now an expert who won't stop beating his drum.

Cherokee Parks > Bill Russell

 

[BOTSLAYER]

Oh good, it's Hammerdown with his if I didn't see it then it never happened speech.


Bill Russell>God

 

[ChrisperJ10]

Arvydas Sabonis wasn't the first obviously, but he gets my vote for the best passing big man of all time.

Michael Doleac>Russell

 

[trojanfan12]

Darko Milicic > Russell

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen >>>> Bill Russell

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Shawne Williams > Bill Russell

Really? This is what passes for entertainment these days, huh? A Laker fan hating on Bill Russell, can't imagine the motive there...

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

Noah (26th) 25% of his team assists while passing to scrubs>>>>> Bill Russell (7th) 21 % of his team assists while passing to 7 hall of famers

 

[trojanfan12]

Chuck Nevitt > Russell

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

Shawne Williams > Bill Russell

Really? This is what passes for entertainment these days, huh? A Laker fan hating on Bill Russell, can't imagine the motive there...

Are you mad or nah?

 

[Steelboy84]

Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen >>>> Bill Russell

Oh man thats horrible.

 

[HammerDown]

Shawne Williams > Bill Russell

Really? This is what passes for entertainment these days, huh? A Laker fan hating on Bill Russell, can't imagine the motive there...

It's Lakers fan. We are fans of the Lakers, not Laker.

And to answer your question...

Joe Barry Carroll > Bill Russell

 

[HammerDown]

Noah (26th) 25% of his team assists while passing to scrubs>>>>> Bill Russell (7th) 21 % of his team assists while passing to 7 hall of famers

Bill Russell wasn't talented enough to play in today's D-League.