Set aside your feelings about where Russell lands in the G.O.A.T. discussion to ponder this one: Should the NBA retire No. 6 completely like Major League Baseball did with Jackie Robinson's No. 42?
I’ve seen Russell highlights over the years and have always been impressed. But I watched as many highlights as I could yesterday and, wow, his hoops skills (and Chamberlin’s) were years ahead of his time. Russell’s full-court drives reminded me of Giannis. There’s one where Russell jumps over a 6-foot dude for a finger-roll. It sometimes looked like the miraculous Russell and Wilt were playing a game of one-on-one even when they were surrounded by Hall of Fame teammates.
As a kid, I was a die hard baseball player, and my first little league team was the Dodgers, so by default they were my favorite major league team. At that same time (1979), my dad bought me my first baseball cards, and the first Dodgers card I got was shortstop Bill Russell. By default, he became my favorite player (you know how 7 year-old brains work.) Thus, when I would tell anyone who would listen that the Dodgers were my favorite team and Bill Russell was my favorite player, imagine my confusion and stubbornness when all adults would tell me gently that Bill Russell was a basketball player, and not only that, but at that time considered maybe THE best one. I would steadfastly argue that, no, Bill Russell was the shortstop for the Dodgers. It was years before I realized there were two and that people could have the same name (was that even allowed? my 2nd grade brain would wonder…) Ah to be young.
Thanks for all the russell reading links. The NBA does a terrible job in my opinion of promoting its history. As a 41 year old, growing up basketball began with Jordan but baseball began with Ruth, Mays, Dimaggio, etc. Why does the NBA neglect so much of its history compared to MLB? Is it just due to the merger? Any good basketball documentary you recommend?
Hi Marc. Thanks for this. Do you have any book recommendations on Russell? Any biographies out there that stand out to you?
I’ve seen Russell highlights over the years and have always been impressed. But I watched as many highlights as I could yesterday and, wow, his hoops skills (and Chamberlin’s) were years ahead of his time. Russell’s full-court drives reminded me of Giannis. There’s one where Russell jumps over a 6-foot dude for a finger-roll. It sometimes looked like the miraculous Russell and Wilt were playing a game of one-on-one even when they were surrounded by Hall of Fame teammates.
Yes please, league-wide retirement of #6. 😍
As a kid, I was a die hard baseball player, and my first little league team was the Dodgers, so by default they were my favorite major league team. At that same time (1979), my dad bought me my first baseball cards, and the first Dodgers card I got was shortstop Bill Russell. By default, he became my favorite player (you know how 7 year-old brains work.) Thus, when I would tell anyone who would listen that the Dodgers were my favorite team and Bill Russell was my favorite player, imagine my confusion and stubbornness when all adults would tell me gently that Bill Russell was a basketball player, and not only that, but at that time considered maybe THE best one. I would steadfastly argue that, no, Bill Russell was the shortstop for the Dodgers. It was years before I realized there were two and that people could have the same name (was that even allowed? my 2nd grade brain would wonder…) Ah to be young.
Thanks for all the russell reading links. The NBA does a terrible job in my opinion of promoting its history. As a 41 year old, growing up basketball began with Jordan but baseball began with Ruth, Mays, Dimaggio, etc. Why does the NBA neglect so much of its history compared to MLB? Is it just due to the merger? Any good basketball documentary you recommend?
Don't think so -- because where do you draw the line -- why not also retire 13 (Wilt), etc....