The truth about Bill Russell.

[creepingdeath]

The truth about Russell and every other great player is that while they were typically world class athletes, it's their mental abilities that made them great and that translates to any era.

Pretty much.

So, to the OP... 13 rings. Finals MVP trophy named after him. U mad?

[millwad]

Creative listings.

Ben Wallace isn't even 6'7 without shoes. Danny Ainge (who is a legit 6'5") stood next to him and said Ben was 6'6 1/2".

Russell was a legit 6'9.5" and would be 6'11" in today's sneaker height NBA. Even in his 70's he's almost as tall as KG:

So you mean that the difference in listing heights today compared to Russell's era equals in a difference of 4 inches?

Wilt Chamberlain must have around 7'3 in that case..

[Dragonyeuw]

Who's to say Russell would even have the kind of game to play center, if he played today? For all we know, he may be an Kevin Durant type perimeter player. Durant, afterall, is 6-10; had he played back in the 60's, he'd be playing center and wouldn't have the game he has now. Whenever you guys talk about 'player x' from the 60's balling today, you need to take into account that their game would be influenced by a number of factors which would make them completely different players today. I'm inclined to think, as the game becomes more perimeter-oriented, that Russell in today's game may have developed a perimeter-game.

[MichaelCheazley]

Who's to say Russell would even have the kind of game to play center, if he played today? For all we know, he may be an Kevin Durant type perimeter player. Durant, afterall, is 6-10; had he played back in the 60's, he'd be playing center and wouldn't have the game he has now. Whenever you guys talk about 'player x' from the 60's balling today, you need to take into account that their game would be influenced by a number of factors which would make them completely different players today. I'm inclined to think, as the game becomes more perimeter-oriented, that Russell in today's game may have developed a perimeter-game.

Great point and nice to see some logic around here. Repped.

[Psileas]

Ben Wallace ending his team's fast-break, leaving his opponents in his dust:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLBXoFJ05ew#t=6m41s

[cuad]

their diet/nutrition was a lot worse than it is today.

I'd just like to know how this can be true when obesity did not become a global epidemic until after Nixon got elected.

[rodman91]

Russell averaged 15 ppg with 44% in 42 minutes per game.And he had superior athletisicm over everymen.60's basketball.

So wilt would have 50 ppg and oscar robertson would have 30 10 10 season's today as well?

Prime Ben Wallace type to be generous.Not hating,Wallace was a great player in his prime.

[rodman91]

Ben Wallace ending his team's fast-break, leaving his opponents in his dust:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLBXoFJ05ew#t=6m41s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXVylfVraBM

[nayte]

Who's to say Russell would even have the kind of game to play center, if he played today? For all we know, he may be an Kevin Durant type perimeter player. Durant, afterall, is 6-10; had he played back in the 60's, he'd be playing center and wouldn't have the game he has now. Whenever you guys talk about 'player x' from the 60's balling today, you need to take into account that their game would be influenced by a number of factors which would make them completely different players today. I'm inclined to think, as the game becomes more perimeter-oriented, that Russell in today's game may have developed a perimeter-game.

Great post mate..

[rodman91]

Who's to say Russell would even have the kind of game to play center, if he played today? For all we know, he may be an Kevin Durant type perimeter player. Durant, afterall, is 6-10; had he played back in the 60's, he'd be playing center and wouldn't have the game he has now. Whenever you guys talk about 'player x' from the 60's balling today, you need to take into account that their game would be influenced by a number of factors which would make them completely different players today. I'm inclined to think, as the game becomes more perimeter-oriented, that Russell in today's game may have developed a perimeter-game.

Right but then we might think about if he would have same character as well. Million dollar deals,brands. He might even give up from basketball and try to be a rapper. I doubt he would had same drive for winning on court.

This "what if" questions should taken as teleportation from his era. Even then there might be trouble in space-time continuum and it might cause a paradox.

[Bigsmoke]

15-15-4 sounds about right.

I would pick him over Dwight Howard but not Shaq or Hakeem.

[Dragonyeuw]

Right but then we might think about if he would have same character as well. Million dollar deals,brands. He might even give up from basketball and try to be a rapper. I doubt he would had same drive for winning on court.

This "what if" questions should taken as teleportation from his era. Even then there might be trouble in space-time continuum and it might cause a paradox.

In which case, it makes for an unfair argument. Teleport George Mikan into this era. Would he even MAKE the NBA today?

I hate era arguments...

[catch24]

Ben wasn't the scorer, playmaker or leader Russell was. You goofs need to learn your history.

[millwad]

15-15-4 sounds about right.

To be honest, Russell didn't have any true go to move and he wasn't a skilled scorer and his career FG average is 44%. And no, it wasn't just because the era he had low FG%, even 6-2 guard Jerry West had a 47 FG% average.

We shouldn't forget that Russell also averaged crazy minutes, he averaged 42 minutes per game and that's just not possibility today. No way the guy would average 15 points per game today..

[Pushxx]

Russell would be a complete beast on both ends. Firstly, he basically invented modern defensive footwork. His athleticism was top notch without the informed practices of today.

Also, Russell would flourish in the half court: great pick setting, superior rebounding, clutch to the max, unbeatable team and man-to-man defense.