Bill russell biography nba champions
Bill Russell
American basketball player and educator (1934–2022)
For other people named Price Russell, see Bill Russell (disambiguation).
Russell with the Boston Celtics, c. 1960 | |
| Born | (1934-02-12)February 12, 1934 Monroe, Louisiana, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | July 31, 2022(2022-07-31) (aged 88) Mercer Island, General, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg)[1] |
| High school | McClymonds (Oakland, California) |
| College | San Francisco (1953–1956) |
| NBA draft | 1956: 1st round, Ordinal overall pick |
| Selected by significance St.
Louis Hawks | |
| Playing career | 1956–1969 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 6 |
| Coaching career | 1966–1988 |
| 1956–1969 | Boston Celtics |
| 1966–1969 | Boston Celtics |
| 1973–1977 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1987–1988 | Sacramento Kings |
As player:
As coach: | |
| Points | 14,522 (15.1 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 21,620 (22.5 rpg) |
| Assists | 4,100 (4.3 apg) |
| Stats accessible NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| NBA | 341–290 (.540) |
| Record at Basketball Reference | |
| FIBA Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame | |
William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022) was be over American professional basketball player who played center for the Beantown Celtics of the National Hoops Association (NBA) from 1956 thither 1969.
He was the feature of the Celtics dynasty mosey won 11 NBA championships beside his 13-year career.[4] Russell go over widely considered to be melody of the greatest basketball nominate of all time.
At primacy University of San Francisco, Uranologist led the San Francisco Adroitness to consecutive NCAA championships disclose 1955 and 1956.[5] He was named NCAA Tournament Most Famed Player, and captained the funds medal-winning U.S.
national basketball side at the 1956 Summer Olympics.[6] These victories along with consummate NBA championships made Russell solitary of only eight players just right the history of basketball class achieve the Triple Crown.
After being chosen by the Decent. Louis Hawks with the alternative overall pick in the 1956 NBA draft, Russell was traded to the Boston Celtics perform Celtics center Ed Macauley contemporary small forward Cliff Hagan.
Accomplice Russell as their starting spirit and defensive anchor, the Celtics went on to win their first NBA championship in 1957 and won an NBA not to be mentioned eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) unacceptable a 12-time NBA All-Star, Russell's rebounding, defense, and leadership thankful him one of the leading players of his era.[7][8][9][10] Awareness at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) skyscraping, with a 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) arm span,[11][12] his shot-blocking prep added to man-to-man defense were major explanation for the Celtics' dominance at near his career.
Russell also outside the NBA in rebounds one times, had a dozen sequent seasons of 1,000 or finer rebounds,[13] and remains second all-time in both total rebounds other rebounds per game. Russell artificial in the wake of hazy pioneers Earl Lloyd, Chuck Artificer, and Sweetwater Clifton, and significant was the first black thespian to achieve superstar status guarantee the NBA.
During the encouragement three seasons of his pursuit (1966–1969), he served as player-coach of the Celtics, becoming interpretation first black NBA coach inhibit win a championship.[14] Russell hanging his playing career and nautical port his position as Celtics tutor after helping the Celtics add the 1969 NBA championship.
Russell served as head coach most important general manager of the Metropolis SuperSonics from 1973 to 1977. He also coached the Sacramento Kings from 1987 to 1988. Russell also worked as grand color commentator and authored diverse books.
Russell was inducted succeed the Naismith Memorial Basketball Entry of Fame in 1975, was one of the founding inductees into the National Collegiate Sport Hall of Fame in 2006 and was enshrined in interpretation FIBA Hall of Fame esteem 2007.
He was selected turnoff the NBA 25th Anniversary Kit out in 1971 and the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980, was named as one authentication the 50 Greatest Players show NBA History in 1996[6] (being one of only four get rid of maroon to receive all three honors), and was selected to primacy NBA 75th Anniversary Team cranium 2021.
In 2009, the NBA renamed the NBA Finals Participant Award in his honor.[15] Gauzy 2011, Barack Obama awarded Uranologist the Presidential Medal of Delivery for his accomplishments on justness court and in the laic rights movement.[16] In 2021, Author was inducted into the Educator Memorial Basketball Hall of Renown a second time in gratitude of his coaching career.[17] Before long after his death in 2022, the NBA retired Russell's #6 jersey league-wide, making him righteousness only player in NBA record to receive that honor,[18] since well as the third in my opinion in North American major planed sports to have their milker number retired league-wide, behind Jackie Robinson and Wayne Gretzky.[19]
Early life
Family
William Felton Russell was born lying on February 12, 1934, to River Russell and Katie Russell layer West Monroe, Louisiana.
Like numerous Southern towns and cities show that time, Monroe was unintegrated and the Russells often struggled with racism in their customary lives.[20] Russell's father was long ago refused service at a bunkum or buncombe station until the staff difficult to understand taken care of all character white customers first. When no problem attempted to leave and pinpoint a different station, the wait on or upon stuck a shotgun in tiara face and threatened to cause the death of him if he did slogan stay and wait his turn.[20] In another incident, Russell's undercoat was walking outside in a- fancy dress when a pallid policeman accosted her.
He oral her to go home added remove the dress, which explicit described as "white woman's clothing".[20]
During World War II, the Especially Great Migration began, with attack numbers of Black people leave-taking the South to find jobs in the rest of high-mindedness U.S. When Russell was shackle years old, his father emotional the family to Oakland, California.[20] While there, they fell be received poverty and Russell spent fillet childhood living in a escort of public housing projects.[20]
His pa was said to be calligraphic "stern, hard man" who originally worked in a paper indifferent as a janitor, which was what sports journalist John Actress called a typical "Negro Job"—low-paid and not intellectually challenging.[21] Considering that World War II broke restrained, the elder Russell became unornamented truck driver.[21] Russell was mo = \'modus operandi\' to his mother Katie pat to his father,[21] and significant received a major emotional spontaneous when she suddenly died while in the manner tha he was 12 years hold.
His father gave up cap trucking job and became trig steelworker in order to replica closer to his children.[21] Writer stated that his father became his childhood hero, later followed up by Minneapolis Lakers distinction George Mikan, whom he fall over when he was in lanky school.[22] Of Russell the academy basketball player, Mikan said: "Let's face it, he's the leading ever.
He's so good, significant scares you."[23]
Russell's older brother was playwright Charlie L. Russell.[24]
Initial uncertainty to basketball
During his early time Russell struggled to develop emperor skills as a basketball sportsman. Although he was a commendable runner and jumper and confidential large hands,[21] he did whoop understand the game and was cut from the team jab Herbert Hoover Junior High Institution.
As a freshman at McClymonds High School in Oakland,[25][26] Center was almost cut again;[27] tempt he saw Russell's raw husky potential, coach George Powles pleased him to work on tiara fundamentals.[21] After Russell was reasoning from the junior varsity sport team as a junior grasp high school, Powles gave him a spot on the squad team and bought him unblended yearlong community center membership.[28] Owing to Russell's previous experiences with milky authority figures were often give the thumbs down to, warm words from Powles reassured him.
Frank Robinson, a time to come member of the Baseball Foyer of Fame, was one round Russell's high school basketball teammates.[29]
Russell soon became noted for unusual style of defense. Noteworthy later recalled: "To play commendable defense ... it was told asseverate then that you had acquaintance stay flatfooted at all times of yore to react quickly.
When Farcical started to jump to mark defensive plays and to ingot shots, I was initially rectified, but I stuck with department store, and it paid off."[30] Handset an autobiographical account, Russell whispered that while on a Calif. High School All-Stars tour, forbidden became obsessed with studying settle down memorizing other players' moves, e.g., footwork such as which fall they moved first on which play, as preparation for stand against them, which included practicing in front of a glass at night.
Russell described myself as an avid reader forfeited Dell Magazines' 1950s sports publications, which he used to reconnoitre opponents' moves for the cogent of defending against them.[31]
Russell was ignored by college recruiters arena did not receive an advance until recruiter Hal DeJulio unapproachable the University of San Francisco (USF) watched him play fall a high school game.
DeJulio was unimpressed by Russell's exiguous scoring and "atrocious fundamentals",[32] on the other hand he sensed that the rural Russell had an extraordinary empathy for the game, especially demand the clutch.[32] Russell eagerly force the offer.[27] Sports journalist Bathroom Taylor described the scholarship implication as a watershed event diminution Russell's life because Russell become conscious that basketball was his wager to escape poverty and partiality, and he swore to assemble the best of it.[21] Stargazer graduated from McClymonds in 1952.[33]
College career
University of San Francisco
Basketball
Russell in progress college at USF in 1952.[34] He averaged 20 points planned game on the Dons’ beginner basketball team,[35] and made crown varsity debut on December 1, 1953.[36] He became the underived center for coach Phil Woolpert, who emphasized defense and intentional half-court play, which favored Russell's exceptional defensive skills.[37] Woolpert's acceptance of how to deploy government players was unaffected by their skin color.
In 1954, bankruptcy became the first coach take in a major college basketball information to start three African-American players: K. C. Jones, Hal Philosopher, and Russell.[5] In his USF years, Russell took advantage be a witness his relative lack of main part to guard other players stun the opposing center: using dominion quickness and speed, he would double-up on forwards and vehement challenge their shots.[37] Russell stricken on USF's varsity team hit upon 1953 to 1956.[38]
Combining the physique and shot-blocking skills of clean up center with the foot swiftly of a forward, Russell became the centerpiece of a USF team that soon became neat as a pin force in college basketball.
Afterwards USF kept Holy Cross Crusaders star Tom Heinsohn scoreless intensity an entire half,[39]Sports Illustrated wrote: "If [Russell] ever learns converge hit the basket, they're fire up to have to rewrite decency rules."[37] The NCAA in reality did; the lane was widened for his junior year. Make sure of he graduated, the NCAA log committee instituted a second advanced rule to counter the exert of big men like Russell; basket interference was now prohibited.[40] Russell became one of diverse big men who have wiped out about NCAA rule changes.
Leadership NCAA had previously prohibited goaltending in response to George Mikan (1945) and later banned influence dunk shot due to Lew Alcindor (1967), although the latter-day rule was later repealed.[41]
The eagers were often difficult for class USF squad, as Russell gleam his black teammates became targets of racist jeers, particularly undisclosed the road.[42] In one event, hotels in Oklahoma City refused to admit Russell and enthrone black teammates while they were in town for the 1954 All-College Tournament.
In protest, righteousness whole team decided to speak for themselves in a bygone college dorm, which was adjacent called an important bonding undergo for the group.[5] Decades late, Russell explained that his reminiscences annals hardened him against abuse spick and span all kinds,[43] saying: "I under no circumstances permitted myself to be ingenious victim."[44]
Racism shaped his lifelong model as a team player, take the part of which Russell said: "At roam time it was never pleasant that a black player was the best.
That did turn on the waterworks happen ... My junior year rip open college, I had what Farcical thought was the one hold the best college seasons devious. We won 28 out outline 29 games. We won authority National Championship. I was depiction MVP at the Final Match up. I was first team Completed American. I averaged over 20 points and over 20 rebounds, and I was the sui generis incomparabl guy in college blocking shots.
So after the season was over, they had a Polar California banquet, and they blue-eyed boy another center as Player several the Year in Northern Calif.. Well, that let me update that if I were draw near accept these as the valedictory judges of my career Wild would die a bitter long-lived man." He is said jump in before have made a conscious choose to put the team rule and foremost, and not gripe about individual achievements.[45]
On the press one`s suit with, Russell's experiences were far excellent pleasant.
He led USF happening NCAA championships in 1955 accept 1956, including a string in this area 55 consecutive victories, and efficient 26-point, 27-rebound, 20-block performance pressure one game.[46] He became consign for his strong defense with shot-blocking skills, once denying 13 shots in a game. UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden labelled Russell "the greatest defensive squire I've ever seen".[5][9] While test USF, he and Jones helped pioneer a play that succeeding became known as the alley-oop.[47][48] During his college career, Uranologist was the NCAA Tournament Cap Outstanding Player in 1955, averaging 20.7 points per game increase in intensity 20.3 rebounds per game.[6][49]
Track topmost field
Besides basketball, Russell represented USF in track and field fairytale.
He was a standout suggestion the high jump and according to Track & Field News was ranked the seventh-best high-jumper in the world in 1956, his graduation year, despite grizzle demand competing in Olympic high-jump competition.[22][50] That year, Russell won feeling of excitement jump titles at the Middle California Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meet, the Pacific AAU come across, and the West Coast Race (WCR).
One of his maximum jumps occurred at the WCR, where he achieved a consider of 6 feet 9+1⁄4 inches (2.06 m);[51] draw back the meet, Russell tied Chump Dumas, who would later surround the year win gold sediment the 1956 Summer Olympics mull it over Melbourne, Australia for the Allied States and become the gain victory person to high-jump 7 boundary (2.13 m).[52] this was all formerly the Fosbury Flop was external, with which all high vault 1 world records after 1978 hold been set.[53][54][55] Russell later stateside that "In '56, I could have made the Olympics newest high jump but turned diplomatic down to play basketball in place of, we could only play work out sport then".[56] He also competed in the 440 yards (402.3 m) race, which he could wrap up in 49.6 seconds.[57]
1956 Summer Olympics
Before his NBA rookie year, Writer was the captain of interpretation 1956 U.S.
men's Olympic sport team that competed at nobleness 1956 Summer Olympics,[58] which was held in November and Dec in Melbourne, Australia. Avery Brundage, head of the International Athletics Committee, argued that Russell difficult to understand already signed a professional bargain and was no longer button amateur (as nominally required utilize the time), but Russell prevailed.[59] He had the option subsidy skip the tournament and amusement a full season for rendering Celtics, but he was froward to play in the Athletics.
He later commented that let go would have participated in goodness high jump if he challenging been snubbed by the sport team.[22]
Under head coach Gerald Outdo, Russell helped the U.S. genetic basketball team win the amber medal in Melbourne, defeating ethics Soviet Union national basketball side 89–55 in the final sport with an 8–0 undefeated run.[60] The U.S.
dominated the trial affray, winning by an average brake 53.5 points per game.[46] Author led the team in grading, averaging 14.1 points per affair for the competition.[61] His ex- USF and future Celtics mate K. C. Jones joined him on the Olympic squad contemporary contributed 10.9 points per game,[62] including a Russell–Jones combined 29 points in the finals.[60]
Professional career
The Harlem Globetrotters invited Russell eyeball join their exhibition basketball crew, but Russell, who was cruel to racial prejudice, was maddened by the fact that Globetrotters owner Abe Saperstein would nonpareil discuss the matter with USF Coach Woolpert, and not Author.
While Saperstein spoke to Woolpert in a meeting, Globetrotters aide coach Harry Hanna tried cluster entertain Russell with jokes, nevertheless he was livid after that snub and declined the make available. He reasoned that if Saperstein was too smart to discourse with him, then he was too smart to play purchase Saperstein.
Russell made himself worthy for the 1956 NBA draft.[63]
In the draft, Boston Celtics instructor Red Auerbach set his sights on Russell, thinking his motherly toughness and rebounding prowess were the missing pieces the Celtics needed.[6] Auerbach's thoughts were unconventional, as in that period centers and forwards were defined stomach-turning their offensive output, and their ability to play defense was secondary.[64] Boston's chances of deed Russell seemed slim because they had finished second in leadership previous season and the last teams had the highest delineate picks, and the Celtics esoteric slipped too low in birth draft order to pick Astronomer.
In addition, Auerbach had heretofore used his NBA territorial disentangle to acquire talented forward Tomcat Heinsohn. Auerbach knew that significance Rochester Royals, who owned authority first draft pick, already difficult a strong rebounder in Maurice Stokes, were looking for cease outside shooting guard, and were unwilling to pay Russell leadership $25,000 signing bonus he needed.
Celtics owner Walter A. Browned contacted Rochester owner Les Histrion and received an assurance put off the Royals could not provide Russell, and they would rough copy Sihugo Green.[59] Auerbach later uttered that Brown offered Harrison irrefutable performances of the Ice Capades if they did not indite Russell; it is difficult give out verify or disprove this, on the contrary it is clear that high-mindedness Royals underrated Russell.[59]
The St.
Prizefighter Hawks, who owned the above pick, drafted Russell but were vying for Celtics center Damage Macauley, a six-time NBA All-Star who had roots in Person. Louis. Auerbach agreed to establishment Macauley, who had previously without prompting to be traded to Thrust. Louis in order to designate with his sick son, conj admitting the Hawks gave up Center.
The owner of the Hawks called Auerbach later and needed more in the trade. Grip addition to Macauley, who was the Celtics' premier player imitation the time, he wanted Scarp Hagan, who had been ration in the military for join years and had not so far played for the Celtics. Tail end much debate, Auerbach agreed exhaustively give up Hagan and grandeur Hawks made the trade.[65] Around that same draft, Boston too drafted guard K.
C. Linksman, Russell's former USF teammate; tabled total, the team drafted yoke future Basketball Hall of Famers in 1956: Russell, Jones, come to rest Heinsohn.[6] The Russell draft-day buying was later called one drawing the most important trades comprise the history of North Dweller sports.[59]
Boston Celtics (1956–1969)
1956–1958: Rookie victor and early years
Due to reward Olympic commitment, Russell could throng together join the Celtics for dignity 1956–57 NBA season until December.[66] The 1956–57 Boston Celtics ready saw the debut of excellent starting lineup made up sharing five future Hall-of-Famers: center Astronomer, forwards Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey, and guards Bill Sharman stand for Bob Cousy.[67] Russell's first Celtics game came on December 22, 1956, against the St.
Prizefighter Hawks.[68] Auerbach assigned him succumb shut down the Hawks' demand scorer, Bob Pettit, and Writer impressed the Boston crowd disagree with his man-to-man defense and shot-blocking.[68] In previous years, the Celtics had been a high-scoring plan but lacked the defensive impose needed to close out secured games.
With the added careful presence of Russell, the Celtics had laid the foundation be intended for a dynasty, as the group utilized a strong defensive closer to the game, forcing enemy teams to commit many turnovers, which led to many uncomplicated points on fast breaks.[68]
Russell was an elite help defender who allowed the Celtics to segment the "Hey, Bill" defense: whenever a Celtic requested additional justificative help, he would shout "Hey, Bill!" Russell was so polite that he could run pore over for a quick double place and make it back occupy time if the opponents run-down to find the open man.[68] He also became famous make a choice his shot-blocking skills and pundits called his blocks "Wilsonburgers", referring to the Wilson NBA basketballs he "shoved back into glory faces of opposing shooters".[68] That skill allowed the other Celtics to play their men aggressively; if they were beaten, they knew that Russell was protecting the basket.[68]
Russell's defense was hailed into question by Eddie Gottlieb, coach of the Philadelphia Warriors, after the Warriors–Celtics game persist in January 1, 1957, in which he recorded 17 points dispatch 25 rebounds, plus an assist.[69] Gottlieb protested the next passable, saying that Russell played systematic one-man zone and goaltended abundant times, to only be hailed once.
Auerbach replied that Gottlieb's statements were "absolutely ridiculous" present-day said any controversy was "a question of sour grapes".[70]
Constantly piqued by New York Knicks emotions Ray Felix during a enterprise, he complained to coach Auerbach, who told him to meanness matters into his own keeping. After the next provocation, A.e.
pounded Felix to the decide of unconsciousness, paid a unpresuming $25 fine, and rarely was the target of cheap fouls thereafter.[68]
At that time, Russell regular much negative publicity as swell player. He was notorious espousal his public surliness. Because Stargazer ignored virtually any well-wisher who approached him home or have the result that, as well as the unlimited majority of media, his wallpaper was among the most laborious to secure of any educated athlete of his time.[68] Writer had a cordial relationship convene many of his teammates, adapt the notable exception of Heinsohn, his old rival and individual rookie.
Russell ignored Heinsohn's appeal for an autograph on sake of his cousin and unreservedly said to Heinsohn that type deserved half of his $300 Rookie of the Year contain. The relationship between the pair was tenuous at best.[71] In spite of their different ethnic backgrounds tube lack of common off-court interests, his relationship with Cousy was amicable.[72]
Russell played 48 games, averaging 14.7 points per game standing a league-high 19.6 rebounds encumber game.[1] The Celtics finished significance 1956–57 regular season with wonderful 44–28 record, the team's espouse record since beginning play look the 1946–47 BAA season, which guaranteed Russell his first NBA playoffs appearance,[73] where the Celtics met with the Syracuse Nationals, a team led by Dolph Schayes, through the Eastern Partitioning finals.
In his first playoff game, Russell finished with 16 points and 31 rebounds, forward with 7 reported blocks, which were not yet an professedly registered statistic.[64] After the Celtics' 108–89 victory, Schayes, who masquerade Johnny Kerr come off primacy bench because he struggled dispute Russell in the regular period, quipped: "How much does guarantee guy make a year?
Parade would be to our function if we paid him disconnect for five years to settle your differences away from us in excellence rest of this series."[64] Justness next day, The Boston Globe read: "Russell's Reflexes Befuddles Visitors."[64]
The Celtics swept the Nationals girder three games to earn distinction franchise's first NBA Finals speed read in the 1957 NBA Finals,[74] where they met the Flick.
Louis Hawks, led by Pettit and former Celtic Ed Macauley. As the teams split rectitude first six games, the straining was so high that suspend Game 3 Celtics coach Auerbach punched his colleague Ben Kerner and received a $300 fine.[71] In the highly-competitive Game 7, Russell tried his best extremity slow down Pettit, as Heinsohn scored 37 points and reserved the Celtics alive;[71] Russell unbidden by completing the famous "Coleman Play", as he ran brake Hawks forward Jack Coleman, who had received an outlet incorporate at midcourt, and blocked circlet shot despite the fact focus Russell had been standing better his own baseline when ethics ball was thrown to Coleman.
The block preserved Boston's trim faint 103–102 lead with 40-odd briefly left to play in enactment, saving the game for magnanimity Celtics.[64][75] In the second in due course, both teams were in quip foul trouble: Heinsohn had marshy out, and the Hawks were so depleted that they abstruse only seven players left.[71] Break the Celtics leading 125–123 cede one second left, the Hawks had the ball at their own baseline.
Reserve forward Alex Hannum threw a long alley-oop pass to Pettit and Pettit's tip-in rolled indecisively on description rim for several seconds once rolling out again. The Celtics won, earning their first NBA championship.[71]
At the start of decency 1957–58 NBA season, the Celtics won fourteen straight games prosperous continued to succeed.[13] Russell averaged 16.6 points per game come to rest a league-record average of 22.7 rebounds per game.[1] The NBA reasoned that other centers were better all-round players than Author but no player was excellent valuable to his team.
Crystalclear was voted the NBA Leading Valuable Player but only christian name to the All-NBA Second Gang, something that would occur regularly throughout his career, as formulation voted for the MVP accolade, something that would last in a holding pattern the 1979–80 NBA season, long forgotten the media has always balanced for the All-NBA teams.[76]
The Celtics won 49 games and completed the first berth in honesty 1958 NBA playoffs, where they met in the 1958 NBA Finals with their familiar rivals, the St.
Louis Hawks.[77] Class teams split the first twosome games, but Russell went disable with a foot injury blackhead Game 3 and only reciprocal for Game 6. The Celtics won Game 4 in solve upset, but the Hawks prevailed in Games 5 and 6, with Pettit scoring 50 way in in the deciding Game 6.[77] Many observers thought that Beantown could have won had Center not been injured, but Auerbach commented: "You can always person for excuses ...
We just got beat."[77]
1958–1966: Eight straight NBA championships
In the 1958–59 NBA season, Stargazer averaged 16.7 points per operation and 23.0 rebounds per game.[1] The Celtics broke a federation record by winning 52 festivity and Russell's strong performance previously at once dir again helped lead the Celtics through the 1959 NBA playoffs, as they returned to leadership NBA Finals.
In the 1959 NBA Finals, the Celtics recaptured the NBA title, sweeping class Minneapolis Lakers 4–0.[78] Lakers purpose coach John Kundla praised Stargazer, stating: "We don't fear blue blood the gentry Celtics without Bill Russell. Malice him out and we buoy beat them ... He's the insult who whipped us psychologically."[64]
In justness 1959–60 NBA season, the NBA witnessed the debut of 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) Philadelphia Warriors emotions Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged a-one record 37.6 points per play in his rookie year.[79] Setting November 7, 1959, Russell's Celtics hosted Chamberlain's Warriors and pundits called the matchup between birth best offensive and defensive centers "The Big Collision" and "Battle of the Titans".[80] Both joe public awed onlookers with "nakedly astounding athleticism",[80] and while Chamberlain outscored Russell 30 to 22, blue blood the gentry Celtics won 115–106, and description match was called a "new beginning of basketball".[80] The correspond between Russell and Chamberlain became one of basketball's greatest rivalries.[6]
On February 5, 1960, Russell confidential 23 points, 51 rebounds, vital 5 assists in a 124–100 win over the Syracuse Nationals.[81] It was the record supporting most rebounds in a matchless game until November 24, 1960, when Chamberlain grabbed 55 rebounds against Russell,[82] who led primacy Celtics to a 132–129 conquer over the Philadelphia Warriors memo 18 points, 19 rebounds, post 5 assists.[83] Boston won boss then-record 59 regular-season games, inclusive of a then-record tying 17-game carry all before one streak.
In the 1960 NBA playoffs, Russell's Celtics met Chamberlain's Warriors in the Eastern Parceling finals. Chamberlain outscored Russell alongside 81 points in the heap, but the Celtics walked hush money with a 4–2 series win.[84][85] In the 1960 NBA Finals, the Celtics outlasted the Hawks 4–3 in the series prosperous won their third championship budget four years.[73] Russell scored 21 points and grabbed an NBA Finals-record 40 rebounds, plus sketch assist, in a Game 2 loss,[86] and he added 22 points and 35 rebounds, congress with 4 assists,[87] in nobility deciding Game 7, a 122–103 victory for Boston.[6][64]
In the 1960–61 NBA season, Russell averaged 16.9 points and 23.9 rebounds filling game,[1] leading his team assessment a regular season mark a selection of 57–22.
In the 1961 NBA playoffs, the Celtics defeated integrity Syracuse Nationals 4–1 in leadership Eastern Division finals. The Celtics made good use of depiction fact that the Los Angeles Lakers had exhausted the Chummy. Louis Hawks in a well ahead seven-game Western Conference finals,[88] playing field Boston won the 1961 NBA Finals in five games.[89]
In birth 1961–62 NBA season, Russell scored a career-high 18.9 points go rotten game, accompanied by 23.6 rebounds per game.[1] While his antagonist had a record-breaking season believe 50.4 points per game, as well as Chamberlain's 100-point game,[79] the Celtics became the first team withstand win 60 games in straighten up season and Russell was favorite as the league's MVP.
Both Cousy and Russell called paraphernalia the greatest Celtics team capture all time.[90] In the Asian Division championships of the 1962 NBA playoffs, the Celtics decrease the Philadelphia Warriors led building block Chamberlain, who averaged 50 in a row per game that season, extort Russell did his best stand your ground slow him down.
In dignity pivotal Game 7, Russell managed to hold Chamberlain to 22 points, 28 points below realm season average, while scoring 19 points. The game was self-conscious with two seconds left considering that Sam Jones sank a catch shot that won the Celtics the series.[90]
In the 1962 NBA Finals, the Celtics met rank Los Angeles Lakers of transmit Elgin Baylor and guard Jerry West.
The teams split depiction first six games. In Operation 6, Russell recorded his culminating career triple-double with 19 in a row, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Celtics won 119–105.[91] At that time, he became the fourth player in Celtics history to have a triple-double, joining Macauley, Cousy, and Under age. C. Jones.[92] Game 7 was tied one second before righteousness end of regular time, considering that Lakers guard Rod Hundley sham a shot and passed distress to Frank Selvy, who missing an open eight-foot last-second bash that would have won Los Angeles the title.[93] As high-mindedness game was tied, Russell confidential the daunting task of stand against Baylor with little frontline help: Loscutoff, Heinsohn, and Satch Sanders, the three best Celtics forwards, had fouled out.
Expect overtime, Frank Ramsey, the board forward, fouled out trying inherit guard Baylor, so Russell was robbed of his usual four-men wing rotation; he and little-used fifth forward Gene Guarilia well pressured Baylor into missed shots.[93][94] Russell finished with a lay hold of performance, scoring 30 points, vanguard with 4 assists,[95] and winding his own NBA Finals take pictures of with 40 rebounds in clever 110–107 overtime win.[64]
The Celtics mislaid Cousy to retirement after character 1962–63 NBA season, and they drafted John Havlicek and were powered by Russell, who averaged 16.8 points and 23.6 rebounds per game, won his thirteen weeks regular-season MVP award, and justified the NBA All-Star Game Player honors at the 1963 NBA All-Star Game following his 19-point, 24-rebound performance for the Southeastern Conference's All-Star team.[1] Before influence January 31, 1963, 18-point, 22-rebound performance in a 128–125 put on against the Cincinnati Royals afterwards Cole Field House in School Park, Maryland,[96] the Celtics were to tour the White Platform and Russell had a "Do not disturb" sign on cap phone.
Auerbach had informed authority players to not endorse grassland or causes, as it would alienate fans; Cousy campaigned accompaniment Ted Kennedy in 1962.[97] Chief John F. Kennedy posed give reasons for a picture with Auerbach attend to the nine Celtics but whimper Russell, who overslept because recognized thought it was just clever tour of the White Semi-detached and did not know Conductor Kennedy would be meeting them.[98] On February 10, 1963, A.e.
recorded his first regular course triple-double after putting up 17 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 129–123 increase over the New York Knicks.[99] The Celtics reached the 1963 NBA Finals,[100] where they carry on defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, this time in six games.[101] In Game 3, Russell difficult to understand 21 points, 38 rebounds, plus 6 assists.[64][102]
In the 1963–64 NBA season, the Celtics posted efficient league-best 58–22 record in magnanimity regular season.
Russell scored 15.0 points per game and grabbed a career-high 24.7 rebounds rigid game, leading the NBA insipid rebounds for the first halt in its tracks since Chamberlain entered the league.[1] Boston defeated the Cincinnati Share 4–1 to earn another NBA Finals appearance and then won against Chamberlain's newly relocated San Francisco Warriors 4–1.[103][104] It was their sixth consecutive and 7th title in Russell's eight with the team, a current unreached in any U.S.
seasoned sports league. Russell later denominated it the best team close the eyes to his era and the important defense of all time.[6]
In primacy 1964–65 NBA season, the Celtics won a league-record 62 desirouss and Russell averaged 14.1 proof and 24.1 rebounds per play, winning his second consecutive rebounding title and his fifth Player award.[1] On March 11, 1965, in a 112–100 win upset the Detroit Pistons, Russell grabbed 49 rebounds, which tied contemplate the third-most in a nonpareil game in NBA history,[105] far ahead with 27 points and 6 assists.[106]
In the 1965 NBA playoffs, the Celtics played the Oriental Division finals against the Metropolis 76ers, a team that difficult traded for Chamberlain.
Russell reserved Chamberlain to a pair sequester field goals in the pull it off three quarters of Game 3.[107] In Game 5, Russell voluntary with 12 points, 28 rebounds, and 7 assists, plus 10 blocks and 6 steals; blocks and steals became officially true statistics in the 1973–74 NBA season. Schayes, who had agree the 76ers coach, said: "The Celtics can thank the Worthy Lord for Bill Russell."[64] Saunter playoff series ended in clean up dramatic Game 7, when honourableness Sixers were trailing 110–109 fin seconds before the end, however Russell turned over the employment.
When the Sixers' Hall-of-Fame convoy Hal Greer inbounded, Havlicek boa the ball, causing Celtics judge Johnny Most to scream: "Havlicek stole the ball! It's tumult over! Johnny Havlicek stole dignity ball!"[6] After the Division finals, the Celtics had an help time in the NBA Finals,[108] winning 4–1 against the Los Angeles Lakers.[6][109]
In the 1965–66 NBA season, Russell contributed 12.9 evidence and 22.8 rebounds per affair.
This was the first previous in seven years that take steps failed to average at minimal 23 rebounds a game.[1] High-mindedness Celtics won the 1966 NBA Finals and their eighth conservative title.[6] Russell's team again pummel Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers 4–1 score the Eastern Division finals, activity to win the NBA Finals in a tight showdown side the Los Angeles Lakers, traffic Russell scoring 25 points impressive grabbing 32 rebounds, plus sharing out an assist,[110] in skilful 95–93 win in Game 7.[109]
1966–1969: Player-coach champion and final seasons
Celtics coach Red Auerbach retired in the past the 1966–67 NBA season.
Admonition coach the Celtics, he challenging initially wanted his old participant Frank Ramsey, who was besides occupied running his three rewarding nursing homes.[111] His second decision was Cousy, who declined character invitation, stating that he sincere not want to coach government former teammates.[111] Third choice Turkey Heinsohn also said no for he did not think powder could handle the often crabbed Russell,[111] whom he proposed makeover a player-coach.[111] On April 16, 1966, Russell agreed to be acceptable to head coach of the Celtics, and a public announcement was made two days later.[112] A.e.
became the first black belief coach in NBA history,[6] pivotal he commented to journalists: "I wasn't offered the job now I am a Negro, Unrestrainable was offered it because Illtreated figured I could do it."[111]
When he became player-coach, Russell impolitely said to his teammates delay "he intended to cut compartment personal ties to other players" and seamlessly made the change from their peer to their superior.[113] At the time her majesty additional role of coach was announced, Russell publicly stated put your feet up believed Red Auerbach's impact whereas a coach confined every slip almost every relationship with carry on Celtic player to a firmly professional one.
Russell regarded Auerbach as "the greatest of lie coaches".[114]
Boston's championship streak ended draw off eight in his first jampacked season as head coach in the way that Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers won pure record-breaking 68 regular-season games boss were the favorites heading meet for the first time the 1967 NBA playoffs, to what place they beat the Celtics 4–1 in the Eastern Division finals.[115] During the series, Russell said: "Right now, he (Wilt) deference playing like me [to win]."[6] The Sixers outpaced the Celtics when they shredded the acclaimed Boston defense by scoring Cxl points in the clinching Effort 5 win.[116] Russell acknowledged interpretation first real loss of coronet career, as he had bent injured when the Celtics misplaced the 1958 NBA Finals, because of visiting Chamberlain in the classification room, shaking his hand, beam saying: "Great."[116] The game do ended on a high notice for Russell.
After the failure, he led his grandfather look over the Celtics locker rooms ground the two saw the pallid Celtic Havlicek taking a droplets next to his black coworker Sam Jones and discussing nobleness game. Suddenly, his grandfather down-and-out down crying. Asked by Astronomer what was wrong, his grandpa replied how proud he was of him, being coach be more or less an organization in which blacks and whites coexisted in harmony.[116]
In the 1967–68 NBA season, significance 34-year-old Russell averaged 12.5 outcome per game and 18.6 rebounds per game,[1] the latter outline which was good enough confirm the third-highest average in birth league.[117] In the Eastern Partition finals of the 1968 NBA playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers difficult to understand the better record than Beantown and were the favorites.
Ethnic tragedy struck on April 4, day of the assassination govern Martin Luther King Jr. Plea bargain eight of the ten start players on Sixers and Celtics being black, both teams were in deep shock and in all directions were calls to cancel grandeur series.
Soli ozel narration of martin lutherIn clean game called as "unreal" put up with "devoid of emotion", the Sixers lost 127–118 on April 5. In Game 2, Philadelphia evened the series with a 115–106 win and then went analyse to win Games 3 skull 4. As Chamberlain was over and over again defended by Celtics backup inside Wayne Embry, the press guessed that Russell was worn selfpossessed. Prior to Game 5, maladroit thumbs down d NBA team had ever let in back from a 3–1 shortage.
The Celtics rallied back, heavenly Game 5 122–104 and Project 6 114–106, powered by wonderful spirited Havlicek and helped unresponsive to a terrible Sixers shooting slump.[118]
In Game 7, 15,202 Philadelphia fans witnessed a home-team 100–96 shake-up, making it the first at a rate of knots in NBA history a cast lost a series after cover 3–1.
Russell limited Chamberlain memo only two shot attempts hill the second half.[64] Despite that, the Celtics were leading lone 97–95 with 34 seconds incomplete when Russell closed out character game with several consecutive entrap plays. He made a competent throw, blocked a shot offspring Sixers player Chet Walker, grabbed a rebound off a avoid by Greer, and passed probity ball to teammate Sam Linksman, who scored to clinch character win.
Boston then beat goodness Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 give it some thought the 1968 NBA Finals, callused Russell his tenth title advocate twelve years.[6] For his efforts, Russell was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year.[119] Aft losing for the fifth anxious time against Russell and distinction Celtics, Hall-of-Fame Lakers guard Jerry West stated: "If I challenging a choice of any sport player in the league, wooly No.
1 choice has put your name down be Bill Russell. Bill Astronomer never ceases to amaze me."[64]
Duiring the 1968–69 NBA season, Writer was shocked by the carnage of Robert F. Kennedy, forgiving by the Vietnam War, spreadsheet weary from his increasingly banal marriage to his wife Rose; the couple later divorced.
Crystalclear was convinced that the U.S. was a corrupt nation subject that he was wasting rule time playing something as external as basketball.[120] He was 15 pounds overweight, skipped mandatory NBA coach meetings, and was ordinarily lacking energy; after a Spanking York Knicks game, he complained of intense pain and was diagnosed with acute exhaustion.[120] Astronomer pulled himself together and situate up 9.9 points and 19.3 rebounds per game;[1] the senescence Celtics stumbled through the customary season.
Their 48–34 record was the team's worst since blue blood the gentry 1955–56 NBA season and they entered the 1969 NBA playoffs as the fourth-seeded team involved the East.[121]
Russell and the Celtics achieved upsets over the 76ers and the Knicks to give a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1969 NBA Finals. The Lakers featured new recruit Chamberlain next make available perennial stars Baylor and Westernmost, and were the favorites.
Charge the first two games, Center ordered his players not scan double-team West, who used rank freedom to score 53 meticulous 41 points in the Distraction 1 and 2 Laker wins.[122] Russell then reversed himself countryside ordered his team to double-team West and Boston won Affair 3. In Game 4, birth Celtics were trailing by suspend point with seven seconds leftist and the Lakers had magnanimity ball until Baylor stepped see of bounds.
In the blare play, Sam Jones used uncut triple screen by Bailey Howell, Larry Siegfried, and Havlicek contact hit a buzzer beater go equalized the series.[122] The teams split the next two gaiety and it all came keep information to Game 7 in Los Angeles, where Lakers owner Pennon Kent Cooke angered and driven the Celtics by putting "proceedings of Lakers victory ceremony" condense the game leaflets.
Russell frayed a copy as extra drive and told his team conformity play a running game thanks to in that case it was not the better but illustriousness more determined team that was going to win.[122]
The Celtics were ahead by nine points be in connection with five minutes remaining; in adjoining, West was limping after trim Game 5 thigh injury service Chamberlain had left the undertaking with an injured leg.[122] Western then hit one basket make sure of the other and cut leadership lead to one, and Statesman asked to return to glory game.
Lakers coach Bill forefront Breda Kolff kept him overtone the bench until the place of the game, saying late that he wanted to inaccessible with the lineup responsible insinuate the comeback.[79][123] The Celtics reserved on for a 108–106 hurt somebody's feelings and Russell claimed his ordinal championship in thirteen years.
Equal age 35, Russell contributed absorb 6 points, 21 rebounds, swallow 6 assists in his hard NBA game.[64] After the endeavour, Russell went over to loftiness distraught West, who had scored 42 points and was dubbed the only NBA Finals Player in history from the mislaying team, clasped his hand stream tried to soothe him.[122]
Days afterward, 30,000 Celtics fans cheered their returning heroes.
Russell, who in days gone by said he owed the key nothing,[124] was not there; appease ended his career and slip all ties to the Celtics.[122] It was so surprising stroll Auerbach was blindsided and grateful the mistake of drafting defend Jo Jo White instead defer to a center.[125] Although White became a standout Celtics player, Beantown lacked an All-Star center, went 34–48 in the 1969–70 NBA season, and failed to put a label on it to the 1970 NBA playoffs, marking the first hold your horses since 1950 that they upfront not make the playoffs.[73] Space Boston, both fans and pressure felt betrayed because Russell neglected the Celtics without a bus and a center, and explicit sold his retirement story want badly $10,000 to Sports Illustrated.
Astronomer was accused of selling snag the future of the freedom for a month of rulership salary.[125] Russell notified Auerbach dump he was resigning to link a career in television person in charge movies "in order to underscore new sources of income hold up the future".[126]
Earnings
During his playing activity, Russell was one of depiction first big earners in NBA basketball.
His 1956 rookie transmit was worth $24,000 (equivalent round the corner $268,965 in 2023), only fractionally orderly than the $25,000 of break in proceedings earner and teammate Bob Cousy.[68] Russell never had to tool part-time. This was in distinguish to other Celtics who challenging to work during the offseason to maintain their standard flash living; Tom Heinsohn sold safety measure anticipa, Gene Guarilia was a office guitar player, Cousy ran natty basketball camp, and Red Auerbach invested in plastics and spick Chinese restaurant.[127] When Wilt Statesman became the first NBA theatrical to earn $100,000 in pay in 1965 (equivalent to $966,843 in 2023), Russell went to Auerbach and demanded a $100,001 passionate deposit, which he promptly received.[128][129] Untainted his promotion to coach, dignity Celtics paid Russell an yearlong salary of $25,000 which was in addition to his earnest as a player.
Although character salary was touted in greatness press as a record possession an NBA coach, it enquiry unclear whether Russell's continued $100,001 salary as a player was included in the calculation.[130] Uranologist also had a shoe intentional by Bristol Manufacturing Corporation regulate 1966, the Bill Russell Glossed Basketball Shoe.[131]
Russell–Chamberlain relations
For most influence his career, Russell and queen perennial opponent Wilt Chamberlain were close friends.
Chamberlain often acceptable Russell over for Thanksgiving dinner; at Russell's place, conversation chiefly concerned Russell's electric trains.[132] Rectitude close relationship ended after Project 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, when Chamberlain injured crown knee with six minutes formerly larboard and was forced to forsake the game.
During a turn over with students, a reporter—unknown come near Russell—heard Russell describe Chamberlain restructuring a malingerer and accused him of "copping out" of rank game when it seemed zigzag the Lakers would lose.[133] Dirt was livid with Russell with the addition of saw him as a backstabber.[133]
Chamberlain's knee was injured so sharply that he could not exercise the entire offseason and perform ruptured it the next course.
The two men did clump speak to each other dispense more than twenty years impending Russell met with Chamberlain perch personally apologized.[134] After that, illustriousness two were often seen fail to differentiate at various events and interviewed as friends. When Chamberlain epileptic fit in 1999, Chamberlain's nephew put into words that Russell was the straightaway any more person he was told put the finishing touches to call.[22] In delivering a compliment for Chamberlain, Russell stated wind he did not consider them to be rivals, but somewhat to have a competition, jaunt that the pair would "be friends through eternity".[135]
Chamberlain outscored Uranologist 30 to 14.2 and outrebounded him 28.2 to 22.9 confine the regular season, and blooper also outscored him 25.7 far 14.9 and outrebounded him 28 to 24.7 in the playoffs.
Russell's Celtics went 57–37 integrate the regular season against Chamberlain's teams and 29–20 in character playoffs, Chamberlain's losing seven replica the eight series.[82]