BILL RUSSELL
William Felton Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a former American professional basketball
player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association
(NBA) from 1956 to 1969.
Five times the NBA's most valuable player and 12 times All-Star, he
was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won eleven NBA championships during his 13-year
career. Russell and Henri Richard of the National Hockey League are tied for the record for the
most championships won by an athlete in an American sports league.
Early years
Russell was born in 1934, the son of Charles Russell and Katie Russell, in Monroe, Louisiana. Like
almost all southern towns and cities at the time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russell often
struggled with racism in their daily lives. Russell's father was once refused service at a gas station
until the team had first served all white customers. When he tried to go out and find a different
station, the attendant stuck a shotgun in his face and threatened to kill him if he didn't stay and
wait for his turn.
In another incident, Russell's mother was walking outside in a chic dress when a
white police officer approached her. He told her to go home and take off the dress, which he described
as "white women's clothing". During World War II, large numbers of blacks were moving to the West in
search of work there. When Russell was eight, his father moved with his family from Louisiana and
settled in Oakland, California. While there, they fell into poverty, and Russell spent his childhood
living on a series of public housing projects.
In his early years, Russell struggled to develop his skills as a basketball player. Although Russell was a good runner and
jumper and had big hands, he just didn't understand the game and was cut from the team in high school.
As a freshman at McClymonds High School in Oakland, Russell was almost cut again. However, coach George Powles saw Russell's
athletic potential and encouraged him to work on his fundamentals. Since Russell's previous experiences with white authority
figures were often negative, he was delighted to receive warm words from his white coach.
He worked hard and used the benefits of a growth spurt to become a decent basketball player, but it wasn't until his penultimate
and senior years that he started to stand out, winning consecutive state championships in high school. Russell soon became known
for his unusual style of defense.
Later, he recalled: "To play well in defense ... it was said at the time that you had to be on your feet all the time to react
quickly. When I started jumping to make defensive plays and block shots, I was corrected initially, but I continued and it was
worth it.
"Russell, in an autobiographical account, observes while on a California High School All-Stars tour, he became obsessed with
studying and memorizing other players' movements (for example, footwork, like which foot they moved first in which game) in
preparation for the defense against them, which included practicing in front of a mirror at night.
College years
Russell was ignored by college recruiters and received not one offer until recruiter Hal DeJulio from the University of San Francisco
(USF) watched him play in a high school game. DeJulio was unimpressed by Russell's meager scoring and "atrocious
fundamentals", but sensed that the young center had an extraordinary instinct for the game, especially in the clutch.
When DeJulio offered Russell a scholarship, he eagerly accepted. Sports journalist John Taylor described it as a
watershed event in Russell's life, because Russell realized that basketball was his chance to escape poverty and racism.
Racism has also shaped his paradigm of life as a team player. "At that time," he said, "it was never accepted that a black player was
the best. That did not happen ... My first year in college, I had what I thought was one of the best university seasons of all time.
28 of 29 games. We won the National Championship. I was the [Most Valuable Player] in Final Four. I started All American. I averaged
more than 20 points and more than 20 rebounds, and I was the only guy in college blocking shots. Then, after the season was over,
they had a banquet in Northern California and chose another center as Player of the Year in Northern California. "
In hard wood, his experiences were much more pleasant. Russell took the USF to the NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956,
including a series of 55 consecutive wins. He was known for his strong defense and kick blocking skills, as he denied 13
shots in one game. UCLA coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defender I have ever seen". During his college
career, Russell averaged 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game.
Professional career
In previous years, the Celtics were a high-scoring team, but they lacked a defensive presence. However, with Russell's
defensive presence, the Celtics laid the groundwork for a dynasty. The team used a strong defensive approach, forcing
the opposing teams to commit many turnovers, which led to many counterattacks.
Russell was an elite defender who helped
the Celtics in the "Hey, Bill" play: whenever a teammate asked for additional defensive help, he shouted "Hey, Bill!"
This approach cost the Celtics a record 44-28 in the regular season and ensured a post-season appearance.
In the Finals, the Celtics faced the St. Louis Hawks, which was led by Bob Pettit and former Celtics, Ed Macauley. No
highly competitive game 7, Russell tried his best to slow Pettit, but it was Heinsohn who scored 37 points and kept
the Celtics alive. However, Russell contributed by completing the famous "Coleman Play".
When he blocked or pitched Jack
Coleman, preserving the 103-102 lead, with 40 seconds remaining. In the second overtime, the two teams had
serious problems: Heinsohn had been eliminated and the Hawks were so exhausted that there were only 7 players left. With the Celtics
leading 125-123, Petit made the last shot that hit the rim and did not enter, thus giving the first title in the history of the Celtics.
In the 1958-1959 season, Russell continued to play well, averaging 16.7 points and 23.0 rebounds per game in the regular season. The
Celtics broke a league record by winning 52 games and Russell's strong performance once again led the Celtics during the postseason
when they returned to the NBA Finals. In the Finals, the Celtics regained the NBA title, sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers 4-0. Lakers
coach John Kundla praised Russell, saying, "We don't fear the Celtics without Bill Russell. Take him outside and we can beat him ...
He's the guy who whipped us psychologically."
In the late 1960s, the Celtics beat the Hawks 4-3 and won their third title in four years. Russell had 22 points and
35 rebounds in Game 7, a 122-103 victory.
In the 1960-61 season, Russell averaged 16.9 points and 23.9 rebounds per game, taking his team to a 57-22 record in
the regular season. The Celtics defeated Syracuse Nationals 4-1 in the Eastern Division Finals. The Celtics
convincingly beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
The following season. the Celtics became the first time to win 60 games in one season and Russell was elected the NBA MVP. In the
postseason, the Celtics faced the Warriors and Russell did his best to score the opposing center. In the decisive game 7,
Russell managed to hold Chamberlain with just 22 points, while scoring 19 points, helping the Celtics advance to another NBA
final. In the 1962 finals, they faced the Los Angeles Lakers of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. In Game 7, Russell
finished with 30 points and 40 rebounds in the 110-107 win in overtime.
The Celtics saw Bob Cousy retire after the 1962-63 season and hired John Havlicek to take his place. Once again, the Celtics
were driven by Russell, who won his fourth NBA MVP title and the All-Star Game MVP award. The Celtics arrived as the 1963
NBA Finals, where they again defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, this time in six games.
The following season, the Celtics set a record of 58-22 in the regular season. Russell averaged 15.0 points and 24.7 rebounds per game,
leading the NBA in rebounds for the first time since Chamberlain joined the league. Boston defeated the Cincinnati Royals 4-1 to
gain another participation in the NBA Finals.
Russell again stood out during the 1964-65 season.
In Game 5, Russell contributed 28 rebounds, 10 blocks, seven assists and six steals. However, that playoff series
ended in a dramatic Game 7. Five seconds before the final, the Sixers were losing 110-109, however, John Havlicek
stole Hal Greer's ball by sealing the victory. This steal caused Celtics commentator Johnny Most to shout,
"Havlicek stole the ball! It's all over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball!" After that, the Celtics had an
easier time in the NBA Finals, winning 4-1 against the Los Angeles Lakers of Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.
The following season, the Celtics won their eighth consecutive title.
Boston beat the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in the NBA Finals, giving Russell his tenth title in 12 years. For his
efforts, Russell was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
However, Russell seemed to reach a breaking point during the 1968-69 season. Russell recovered and made 9.9 points
and 19.3 rebounds per game, but an aging Celtics stumbled in the regular season. Their 48-34 record was the team's
worst since 1955-56 and they entered the playoffs as the fourth best team in the East.
In the playoffs, however,
Russell and his Celtics managed to outperform the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks to secure yet another
encounter with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. In the first two games, West had 53 and 41 points in the
Lakers' victories. Russell asked for a double score in West and Boston won Game 3.
The series reached Game 7 in Los
Angeles, where Lakers' owner Jack Kent Cooke irritated and motivated the Celtics by placing "Lakers victory win
procedures "in the game brochures. Russell deducted a copy as extra motivation and told his team that the most
supplied team was going to win.
The Celtics won the game 108-106 and Russell won his eleventh title in 13 years.