Before there were Jordan and Thomas, Bird and Magic, there was Russell and Wilt.
As two of the greatest centers to play the game, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain were engaged in a bitter rivalry during the NBA’s early days. Despite their dominance, however, their careers looked vastly different by the time they both retired in the mid-70s.
Wilt had the individual numbers and had broken countless statistical records. He recorded the NBA’s first, and only, 100 point game, averaged 50 points and 25+ rebounds in a season, and posted numbers that have yet to be replicated on any stage.
As for Russell, while he lacks the individual stats, he is the single greatest NBA Champion ever, having won a total of 11 titles in a span of 12 years.
Why was Wilt unable to win to the same degree? Were those Celtics teams really that good?
Ex-Lakers coach Butch Van Breda Kolff explained the difference between the players.
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People are often in awe over Wilt’s career achievements — and there’s a good reason for it. He dominated in a way that we will likely never see again.
But is winning 11 Championships not more impressive? Whether or not Coach Kolff’s assessment on why is accurate, Bill Russell must’ve done something right to have earned so many Championships.
