Bill Russell
Many people are not aware of Bill Russell until you dive a little bit deeper into Basketball folklore. Everyone is familiar with Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in a single game or averaged over 50 points in a season! We will get to Wilt, don't worry... today, we are going to talk about Bill Russell. If Bill Russell was not playing ball when Wilt was playing, Wilt would have more than 2 NBA titles, no doubt!
More Championships than anyone (tied with the pocket rocket)
There is only one professional athelete (in the north american leagues) that has as many titles as Russell. Henri Richard of the Montreal Canadiens.
Russell was a center (and later player/coach) for the Boston Celtics. In his 13 year tenure with the team, he managed 11 NBA titles, including an 8 year streak!!!
Let that sink in. Nearly 85% of the seasons (1956-1969) that Bill Russell was in the NBA, he won a championship. The Bulls Dynasty was impressive (6 championships). Lebron's finals appearances look pretty good... but 11 out of 13 is likely never to be matched again. To make this even more impressive, he won 2 back to back NCAA titles before entering the NBA and an olympic gold in 1956.
Defense wins Championships
Bill Russell was never a league leading scorer (15.1 PPG over his career), he was a dominant rebounder (22.5 RPG over his career, 24.9 PRG in the playoffs) and a deadly shotblocker and man to man defender. He led the league in rebounds 5 seasons. He had the record for most rebounds, 51, until Wilt Chamberlain grabbed 55 in a single contest. He was one of the best defenders and team players. He elevated his team. The individual statistics don't do Bill Russell justice. His championship record is what tells his story.
The losses
In 1958, Bill Russell sustained an injury and was playing, but not 100%.
In 1967, Wilt Chamberlain got the better of Bill Russell. Russell, gracious in defeat left his locker room to shake Wilt's hand and congratulate him. The rivalry between Bill and Wilt was certainly the biggest in the league at the time, but the two were friends off the court. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain met in the playoff's 8 times. Bill Russell emerged victorious 7 of those 8 meetings.
Accolades
Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles
Five time league MVP
12 time All-Star
First player to win NCAA title and NBA title back to back (there are only 4 total)
2 NCAA titles
Olympic Gold medal
2nd in all-time rebounds
2nd in RPG all-time
Playoff MVP's win the "Bill Russell Playoff MVP award"
Rookie Card
A Bill Russell Rookie Card, found in the 1957 Topps set, can fetch as much as $450,000 (13.6 BTC as of writing) if you have a card in a PSA 9 "Mint" Holder.
If you settle for a PSA 7, as seen in the photo, you will have to shell out around $80,000 (2.4 BTC). To get you hands on a PSA 5 will set you back $17,500 or (0.5 BTC).