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?
The memoirs "Second Wind" that Russell wrote in 1979 ... I have never read it or even seen it That's the one we need to get apparently. It's said to be fantastic.
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.
I'd also like to see footage of Russell as a track athlete. They say he was a world-class high jumper without even knowing the proper technique. He was clearly a ridiculous athlete.
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?
I've been complaining about it for ages but I think it's at least somewhat a footage issue. One of the first big NBA things I remember in my childhood was the final night of the 1978 regular season with David Thompson and George Gervin dueling for the scoring title. Thompson scored 73 points and Iceman had 63 and there is NO footage of it anywhere. I heard an update on the radio in my car with one of my parents ... that's why I remember it. Very, very sad.
Agree that it is debatable -- but does the league need to retire his number to recognize his contributions? I think the Jackie Robinson situation was different -- both in terms of how he transitioned sports as a whole, in addition to baseball. Retiring Russell's number might actually cheapen his status and what was done to honor Jackie -- especially as Robinson died so young and didn't fully get to see his impact on sports play out to where it is today. Russell not only lived to see the changes, he reentered the debate himself when he felt the need.
Some would say that the NBA, which hasn't done enough to celebrate its history, should do even more to honor Russell's legacy than it has already done ... but this is a worthy counter argument. It'll be interesting to see how many more NBA luminaries of Magic Johnson's stature speak out on the idea.
Hi Marc. Thanks for this. Do you have any book recommendations on Russell? Any biographies out there that stand out to you?
The memoirs "Second Wind" that Russell wrote in 1979 ... I have never read it or even seen it That's the one we need to get apparently. It's said to be fantastic.
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.
I'd also like to see footage of Russell as a track athlete. They say he was a world-class high jumper without even knowing the proper technique. He was clearly a ridiculous athlete.
I just imagine him stepping over the high jump bar like it was a track hurdle.
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?
I've been complaining about it for ages but I think it's at least somewhat a footage issue. One of the first big NBA things I remember in my childhood was the final night of the 1978 regular season with David Thompson and George Gervin dueling for the scoring title. Thompson scored 73 points and Iceman had 63 and there is NO footage of it anywhere. I heard an update on the radio in my car with one of my parents ... that's why I remember it. Very, very sad.
Don't think so -- because where do you draw the line -- why not also retire 13 (Wilt), etc....
Agreed. Bill Russell is a legend but let's not get carried away.
Kinda feel this happens pretty frequently, the call to retire a number league-wide when an icon dies. Happened with Kobe in 2020.
It's true. That certainly did happen with Kobe. I do think these circumstances are different, though.
Does any other player in NBA history boast Russell's combination of winning and societal impact? That's why it's a subject for debate.
Agree that it is debatable -- but does the league need to retire his number to recognize his contributions? I think the Jackie Robinson situation was different -- both in terms of how he transitioned sports as a whole, in addition to baseball. Retiring Russell's number might actually cheapen his status and what was done to honor Jackie -- especially as Robinson died so young and didn't fully get to see his impact on sports play out to where it is today. Russell not only lived to see the changes, he reentered the debate himself when he felt the need.
Some would say that the NBA, which hasn't done enough to celebrate its history, should do even more to honor Russell's legacy than it has already done ... but this is a worthy counter argument. It'll be interesting to see how many more NBA luminaries of Magic Johnson's stature speak out on the idea.