When people typically think of the greatest basketball players of all time, a few names come to mind: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain. Basketball has grown from a small sport to one of the most viewed and profitable businesses of all time. The impact basketball has had on society, partially thanks to the media, is truly insurmountable. Throughout its history, basketball has spawned tons of influential players and idols.
I would like to focus on one of these players, in light of his recent passing: Bill Russell. Although he is remembered for all his achievements, he might be one of the most underappreciated players of all time.
I would like to focus on one of these players, in light of his recent passing: Bill Russell. Although he is remembered for all his achievements, he might be one of the most underappreciated players of all time.
Before we can truly measure the importance of his achievements, we must first acknowledge his credentials. Russell was probably the most decorated player in NBA history. During his 13 seasons in the league, spanning from 1956 to 1969, he led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships. This is an impressive feat; no other team in history had ever won more than three consecutively. In addition to this, Russell was also named the MVP player during the regular season five times in an era where this title was judged primarily by player votes. Russell himself never claimed that these successes were his alone. He always attributed them to being a team effort.
Bill Russell's main forte on the court was his defense. He played in a time when blocks and steals weren't recorded, but it would not be an exaggeration to say he was a leading figure in this respect. Russell, as a player, not only understood the physical components of basketball but the mental aspects as well. He is quoted as saying, "Basketball is a game of habits. If you make the other guy deviate from his habits, you've got him."
In his first championship run in 1957, Russell blocked Jack Coleman in the final minute in the deciding Game 7, allowing the Celtics to eventually win the title. In another Game 7 in 1962, Russell scored 30 points and grabbed 40 rebounds. Russell never won an NBA finals MVP (the award was only introduced in his final season), but the fact that the NBA named the award after him shows his impact on the sport.
Despite his many achievements on the court, Bill Russell is considered legendary primarily for his activism. In a time period when legalized segregation still existed, Russell served as the first African American NBA superstar. For context, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not pass until eight years into his professional career. His opinions on certain social issues were criticized at some points. Once, his home was broken into and vandalized with racist graffiti. In 1961, he boycotted a game in Kentucky after a white waitress refused to serve two of his Black teammates. In 1967, Russell appeared alongside boxer Muhammad Ali to express his support for Ali’s refusal to serve in the Vietnam War. Russell’s involvement in civil rights was, to say the least, substantial.
Bill Russell was able to seamlessly blend political activism with on-court athletic achievements. The NBA outperforms other sports leagues when it comes to addressing social issues in a direct way, and that is a consequence of Russell’s early example. With the outpouring of support and condolences after his death, it's safe to say that his legacy is in good hands.
Bill Russell's main forte on the court was his defense. He played in a time when blocks and steals weren't recorded, but it would not be an exaggeration to say he was a leading figure in this respect. Russell, as a player, not only understood the physical components of basketball but the mental aspects as well. He is quoted as saying, "Basketball is a game of habits. If you make the other guy deviate from his habits, you've got him."
In his first championship run in 1957, Russell blocked Jack Coleman in the final minute in the deciding Game 7, allowing the Celtics to eventually win the title. In another Game 7 in 1962, Russell scored 30 points and grabbed 40 rebounds. Russell never won an NBA finals MVP (the award was only introduced in his final season), but the fact that the NBA named the award after him shows his impact on the sport.
Despite his many achievements on the court, Bill Russell is considered legendary primarily for his activism. In a time period when legalized segregation still existed, Russell served as the first African American NBA superstar. For context, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not pass until eight years into his professional career. His opinions on certain social issues were criticized at some points. Once, his home was broken into and vandalized with racist graffiti. In 1961, he boycotted a game in Kentucky after a white waitress refused to serve two of his Black teammates. In 1967, Russell appeared alongside boxer Muhammad Ali to express his support for Ali’s refusal to serve in the Vietnam War. Russell’s involvement in civil rights was, to say the least, substantial.
Bill Russell was able to seamlessly blend political activism with on-court athletic achievements. The NBA outperforms other sports leagues when it comes to addressing social issues in a direct way, and that is a consequence of Russell’s early example. With the outpouring of support and condolences after his death, it's safe to say that his legacy is in good hands.
CHASE JONES
