pdxstogieman wrote:I'll admit to a bias on this one. I was a huge 76'ers fan in the 60's, when they had Wilt, Dave Gambee, Wally Jones, Chet Walker, Hal Greer, Luke Jackson, and Billy Cunningham. As a 76'ers fan, one was obligated to absolutely hate the Celtics. I listened to many a battle between Wilt and Russell on WCAU.
I Will admit Russell was a rebounding machine 2nd only to Wilt, but I gave Jabbar the nod as most do not give him his due. His sky hook was a devastating shot the likes of which we will never see again.
Hey, we hated Philly right back! But I did list Cunningham, and Bobby Jones too, in post 15. And I loved (hated, but loved) Greer and his free throw jump shot.
Rebounding for sure, but Russell was a defensive innovator and tried to direct blocked shots to team mates instead of the upper deck. He and Auerbach created the fast break, the success of which depended upon the rebound and the pinpoint pass to mid court.
Remember, Russell won virtually all of those titles while Wilt was playing, as was Nate Thurmond, Walt Ballamy, Zelmo Beatty (briefly) and others...all of whom might have won titles IF NOT for Russell. Heck, before he went to the 76ers, Wilt played with Thurmond on the SF Warriors after they left Philly. Zero titles.
Jabbar lost once to (like 6'8") Dave Cowens! and more or less split with Robert Parrish. I'd rank Jabbar 3, Walton 4th.
But Bill Russell stands alone as the greatest winner in the history of TEAM sports. And you get paid to win, not look stylish.
